At Viability, we are a community of participants, family members, employers, and neighbors where everyone is someone with inherent dignity to be honored. Here the typical boundary between “service provider” and “service receiver” is reinvented as a collaboration where our participants are the focus, but the positive impact extends beyond their outcomes. Our various program participants are full members of our community, with voices, goals, and abilities that shape the programs, and skills that help many of the programs not only run but thrive.
For example, in our employment programs, participants reach their own personal goals by learning critical job skills, inspiring others that they can also succeed – but it doesn’t end there. Working side-by-side with staff, program participants also help employers develop a more diverse workforce culture that meets their business goals. In other programs, participants and staff collaborate on everything from planning and preparing daily meals, to running the office and community outreach. At Viability, everyone is a contributor who can benefit others.
Adult Family Care (AFC) is not just about in-home assistance, but also empowerment. Some people need support to live on their own and Viability provides Adult Family Care services to give individuals that choice so that they live in the community with greater independence. Read more here.
Viability clubhouses operate with a belief in the power of “recovery through work.” Read More here.
The Community Living Program is a unique opportunity for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to live and thrive in a family environment. Read more here.
Viability’s various day programs emphasize empowerment and access across three different categories of needs, but all share the unified goal of increasing social skills and steps toward greater independence and personal growth. Read more here.
The Viability DHILS (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services) Program is a peer-to-peer service that seeks to empower deaf and hard of hearing people with skills to obtain information, develop goals, and move their life in the direction of their choice. Read more here.
Competitive Employment Services are offered in collaboration with several funding sources throughout the states where we provide services. Read more here
Viability’s Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) programs are designed to support the transition from school into adult life. Read more here.
Competitive Employment Services are offered in collaboration with several funding sources throughout the states where we provide services. Viability provides comprehensive training and job support services that enable job seekers to secure and retain work on their path to economic stability and career growth.
We meet individuals where they are on their career path and help identify and reach employment milestones. With a network of 620+ employer partners, we successfully match local workforce demands with our clients’ professional goals.
Employment services include:
To help you to be successful in your career path, Viability incorporates additional supports for other areas of your life. CIES takes a holistic approach by addressing:
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In Viability’s Job Training & Placement Program (JTPP), participants benefit from a nine-week onsite training at the host employer and successful trainees are eligible for hire by the host employer. This program has received multiple best practice awards and national recognition, while also meeting the demands of major companies like Advance Auto Distribution Center-Enfield, Walgreens, Travelers, and Mohegan Sun.
JTPPs are specialized for individuals with disabilities, including those with autism and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Plus, trainees receive wages during their training and after they are hired follow-along supports are provided as needed.
We’re here to help.Viability clubhouses operate with a belief in the power of “recovery through work.” Members benefit from:
Membership is voluntary and services are designed to meet each individual’s needs. Viability clubhouses are accredited by Clubhouse International and guarantee a right to:
Learn more about each of our five individual clubhouses.
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Viability’s Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) programs are designed to support the transition from school into adult life. Career readiness services equip students living with a disability ages 14-22 with an introduction to work that informs their future vocational choices, develops positive work habits, and emphasizes workplace wellness.
Our innovative classroom delivery method has been implemented by Springfield Technical Community College (Springfield, Massachusetts); Tech Foundry IT training program (Springfield, Massachusetts); Western New England University (Springfield, Massachusetts); Viability clubhouses service, and more! Funded by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Pre-ETS provides vocational exploration, hard and soft skills, and competitive, integrated vocational experiences. Locations are across Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island.
Our Pre-ETS programs cover everything from workplace expectations and how to prepare for them, to getting the job and how to be successful.
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Project (VR)² is a virtual reality pilot program dedicated to enhancing access to employment for all, and inclusion, and empowerment for people with disabilities and other disadvantages. Project (VR)² is where vocational rehabilitation meets virtual reality (VR). This first-of-its-kind project, deployed in the midst of COVID-19, will help people who are chronically under-served and marginalized build the vital skills required to advance their ability to gain and maintain employment. (VR)² makes it possible for individuals to acquire essential interactive soft skills that make or break job success – communication, interviewing, adapting and problem-solving – in a controlled, safe, and self-reflective virtual work environment. Partners of the virtual collaborative include Link To VR, BodySwaps, CleanBox, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC).
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Adult Family Care (AFC) is not just about in-home assistance, but also empowerment. Some people need support to live on their own and Viability provides Adult Family Care services to give individuals that choice so that they live in the community with greater independence. We emphasize a person-centered approach for elderly individuals and people with disabilities who need companionship, a safe environment with their own private space, behavioral health support and daily care. With AFC, limitations and isolation are replaced by respect, friendships and community connection.
Participants choose their primary caregivers from family, friends, or caring community members. Viability’s support also extends to the caregiver providing them with training, case management, nursing oversight, and financial compensation.
We’re here to help.
Viability’s various day programs emphasize empowerment and access across three different categories of needs, but all share the unified goal of increasing social skills and steps toward greater independence and personal growth.
Viability’s community based day services provide participants with support and opportunities to be involved in a range of community activities ranging from volunteering, recreational and wellness activities to community trips. Participants develop peer friendships while building employment skills, self-sufficiency, and social skills. The primary goal of these services is to provide a clearly defined path to employment through a variety of work-related activities and experiences.
Viability’s day habilitation programs provide people with disabilities goal oriented, structured and active programs aimed toward increasing levels of functioning and self-confidence. Participants have access to a variety of specialized social activities including culinary arts, outdoor recreation, wellness and fitness, arts and crafts, sensory, fine and gross motor skills, as well as computer and technology skills. The program assists members in securing a variety of services in skill development in the areas of activities of daily living, communication, integrated experiences, interpersonal development, and occupational development. Our day habilitation programs are certified and approved by the Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance (DMA).
Olympus
Serving the Greater Springfield and Holyoke areas
123 Interstate Drive, Rear of building
West Springfield, MA 01089
(413) 278-2625
Fax: (413) 746-3370
Pyramid
60 Brookdale Drive, Rear of Building
Springfield, MA 01104
(413) 736-6591
Fax: (413) 746-0280
Participants in this program benefit from meeting and socializing with new acquaintances and becoming educated on how to access recreation activities in their area. In this program, individuals ages 18 years and older who have experienced a traumatic brain injury are part of a shared community where they can come together and connect through recreation and social activities in their communities.
We’re here to help.
The Viability DHILS (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services) Program is a peer-to-peer service that seeks to empower deaf and hard of hearing people with skills to obtain information, develop goals, and move their life in the direction of their choice. The program’s staff are all professionals that are Deaf, late-deafened, or hard of hearing who provide the following support:
Viability accepts referrals from other agencies and individuals may self-refer by contacting our offices. To qualify, individuals must:
and must not qualify for other state agency funding such as Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) or Massachusetts Developmental Services (DDS).
The Viability DHILS is funded by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) and serves all communities in Hamden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties.
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The Community Living Program is a unique opportunity for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to live and thrive in a family environment. The individual is included, and their opinions valued, across regular day-to-day decision making, ensuring that they feel welcome and respected as members of the household. Individuals are also encouraged to participate in hobbies and recreation, spiritual/religious affiliations of their choice, and to develop friendships.
At Viability, we understand the difference between a house and a home. While we ensure a potential match is safe and clean, we equally hold to high priorities of ensuring the home provider is caring, supportive, respectful, and eager to include the incoming individuals in all aspects of their home life. This is the cornerstone of the Community Living Program.
We’re here to help.
BLOOMFIELD, CT
YOU can be a part of breaking down societal barriers and ensuring opportunities for our program members to live, learn, work, and thrive in their communities and the world by contributing your voice or making a donation.
60 Brookdale Drive
Springfield, MA 01104
info@viability.org
413.781.5359
©2022. Viability, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
