About Us
Every Life Deserves Opportunity Empowering Independence for Over 50 Years
For more than 50 years, Ability Building Services (ABS) has supported individuals with developmental disabilities in building independence, pursuing personal growth, achieving employment, and living meaningful, connected lives. As a private, not-for-profit community agency, ABS provides a range of services including pre-vocational activities, vocational training, residential training, and other individualized supports designed to meet each person’s unique needs.
Our compassionate team is committed to delivering person-centered services rooted in dignity, choice, and belonging. Guided by a local Board of Directors, ABS meets established standards required for certification by the State of South Dakota Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, the South Dakota Department of Education, and the Council on Quality and Leadership, ensuring the highest level of care and accountability for the individuals and communities we serve.
The History of Ability Building Services
On January 6, 1975, the program or sheltered workshop opened on West 9th Street with 9 “client workers”. The program was originally a part of the mental health center. Later the two separated and the name of the program was changed to Community Projects Unlimited.
In 1978, the program moved to 229 Broadway and became a new corporation known as the Yankton Area Adjustment Training Center. Inc. In the fall of 1978, the Yankton Area Adjustment Training Center, Inc. opened its first residential facilities at 206 E 4th and 405 Linn. In January of 1982, the program moved to its newly constructed facility at 909 West 23rd Street.
Today our new name is Ability Building Services. We provide services to approximately 140 individuals, we own eight residential facilities, and our clients rent or own at several locations around Yankton.
Our Vision
All people live in a state of dignity and share in the elements of living in the community. We believe that all people, regardless of their abilities, are capable of continuous learning and growing and are entitled to every opportunity to express and enhance that growth in the most natural setting. Our existence is based on programs that offer freedoms, promote rights and opportunities for growth. We embrace the right of people to live as independently as possible, supported to the extent that is necessary to meet their needs in a manner that uses and respects the ordinary resources in the community.
Our Values
- We are committed to natural support networks.
- We are committed to building community partnerships.
- We are committed to self determination and choice.
- We embrace and are committed to Person Centered Planning approaches.
- We are committed to achieving, ensuring and protecting rights of all persons with a developmental disability.
- We are committed to developing and encouraging families of people using supports to be involved in the life of their family members.
- We are committed to empowerment of the people we support.
- We are committed to enhancing the life of all people through systems advocacy on local and statewide levels.
Supporting the Life People Want With a Person Centered Culture
In 2008 ABS began a grant project to become a “Person Centered Organization”.
Working with a core group of leaders that included people receiving services, parents, direct care staff, and administrators, ABS began the process of changing the way we thought about our mission and the methods we used to help people achieve their goals and dreams. How we listen to the people who receive our support and their families became our focus, how we help people have the life they want by balancing what is “important to” a person with what is “important for” a person became our aspiration.
Since that time we have positively impacted the culture of our organization. We have certified PCT trainers on staff and all employees complete 2-day training on Person Centered Thinking.
