DiverseAbilities

ATRC is one of four independent non-profit organizations involved in an innovative collaboration called DiverseAbilities. The purposes of this partnership are to combine resources, reduce costs and expand services in pursuit of strengthening each organization's mission. In addition to ATRC, DiverseAbilities includes Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, United Cerebral Palsy Association, and Winners at Work, Inc.

A Story of Collaboration
Four independent non-profit agencies found themselves facing two potentially critical problems early in 1996: increasing operational costs and decreasing funding sources. When they began to discuss solutions, they realized that traditional strategies would not produce effective long-term results. The agencies then began to explore alternative organizational structures based on collaboration.

The agencies soon became convinced that by working in collaboration, instead of in competition, they could resolve their common problems while increasing their effectiveness in the community.
The DiverseAbilities collaboration was developed through a series of candid and comprehensive dialogues among the executive directors and boards of the four agencies.

Information was shared, decisions made and resources allocated cooperatively. Goals of increased services and reduced expenses were agreed upon as commitments were made to honor each agency's mission.

Together, the four partners of DiverseAbilities have dedicated themselves to combining efforts to provide persons with disabilities vastly improved opportunities for learning, living, working and participating in the common life of their communities. They welcome any inquiries from others who wish to learn more about the process of collaboration.

Here are brief descriptions of our three partners:

HCIL
Hawaii Centers for Independent Living is a statewide, non-profit agency dedicated to ensuring the rights of people with disabilities to live fully integrated in the community with equal opportunities and choices in life. HCIL is managed and directed by people with disabilities. Services to consumers include information and referral, peer counseling, skills training, individual and systems advocacy. Technical assistance and training on most disability related issues are available to businesses and other agencies.

UCPA
United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii is a non-profit, volunteer health organization whose mission is to positively affect the quality of life of people with cerebral palsy and others with disabilities involving multiple service needs. Services include personal counseling, information and referral, and an early intervention child development program which provides daily physical, occupational and speech therapy and special education for youngsters from birth to three who have severe, multiple developmental delays.

Winners at Work
Winners at Work is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide individuals with challenges the dignity of meaningful work and quality life in our community. Through its Employment Division, Winners at Work provides training and placement for unemployed individuals with disabilities who want to work and who receive no vocational services. Through its Training and Research Division, the corporate community is supported to achieve success with employees with disabilities through the development of educational products and the delivery of training seminars.

DiverseAbilities is located at:
414 Kuwili Street
Honolulu, HI 96817