ABLE is a community-based nonprofit that has been serving adults with special needs since 1982. It began when a small group of teachers, parents, and professionals collaborated to provide their adult children with intellectual disabilities a more meaningful and fulfilling life at a time when individuals with disabilities and the families who cared for them had few, if any, options. Few companies employed people with limited job skills. This was the catalyst needed to open a sheltered job workshop. The ABLE Workshop began with six adults with developmental disabilities. The workshop offers training in job and work skills. The Norman, Oklahoma area was not only lacking in job opportunities, but also lacking in independent housing options for these individuals. Therefore, ABLE opened its first group home in 1985.

Today, ABLE operates four group homes and two Direct Living-Assistance Services homes. There is trained, around-the-clock staff at both the houses and the workshop to support residents in living as independently as possible. Our residential services give a home-like environment and teach daily living skills to a maximum of thirty-seven residents. The residential program provides residents with even greater autonomy, offering ready access to support for tasks such as banking, shopping, and transportation. Vocational programs serve clients through two different services. Our two vocational services are the Sheltered Workshop, which accommodates a maximum of 40 clients, and Community Integrated Employment, which accommodates a maximum of 16 clients. ABLE solicits contracts from Norman businesses to be completed by program participants at our community-integrated employment office or job sites. This provides skills development and earned income for ABLE clients. ABLE accepts clients from all over Oklahoma and provides vocational assistance across Cleveland County, including Norman, Noble, the University of Oklahoma, and private employers.