Ability Now Bay Area

Ability Now Bay Area Ability Now Bay Area is a nonprofit org in Oakland, CA serving adults with developmental disabilities

We've reached the end of our Spring/Summer classes here at Ability Now Bay Area, and we're so proud of what we've accomp...
08/04/2026

We've reached the end of our Spring/Summer classes here at Ability Now Bay Area, and we're so proud of what we've accomplished together. 🙂‍↕️✨

The past few weeks have been transformative, marked by growth (especially in Horticulture class), exciting science experiments (we made elephant toothpaste!), and creative inspiration from storytelling, design, spirit week, and choir. 🎶

Here we go, into Fall classes! 🍁📚

Image and Video descriptions:

1: A cheerful photo of an Ability Now Bay Area participant and an instructor smiling warmly together at the center.
2: A close-up of a vibrant, tall sunflower blooming brightly in a sunny field, grown by participants in the horticulture class.
3: A lively video showing an instructor leading a fun science experiment. The instructor is creating a foaming "elephant toothpaste" eruption while a group of engaged participants surrounds them, watching with excitement.
4: A colorful photo displaying beautifully crafted Greek laurel flower crowns, handmade by the participants.
5: A large, vibrant group photo featuring the Ability Now Bay Area staff team and participants gathered together, smiling at the camera for "Beach Day" during Spirit Week.
6: An uplifting video from choir class showing a participant singing a Spanish song and expressing their musical creativity.

07/31/2026

Help make yoga more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for everyone. 💙

Whether you're a yoga teacher, movement professional, caregiver, or healthcare provider, our Yoga for All Abilities: A 2-Day Teacher Training will give you practical tools to confidently adapt yoga for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.

Learn alongside experienced instructors Lin Maxwell and Baxter Bell through hands-on instruction, real-world practice, and evidence-based techniques you can immediately bring into your work.

🗓️ October 16–17
📍 Ability Now Bay Area, Oakland
🎓 13 Yoga Alliance CEUs available
💰 Full and half scholarships are available

Spaces are limited. Register today through the link in our bio or visit: AbilityNowBayArea.org/yoga-for-all-abilities.

Video Description:

A calming video clip showing an inclusive yoga session. Visually, participants of diverse physical abilities are seen mindfully engaging in various adapted and traditional yoga poses in a bright, welcoming room. Audibly, soft, ambient background music plays while an instructor's voice calmly and gently guides the class into shavasana (resting pose).

In honor of Disability Pride Month, we are incredibly proud to spotlight the talented creators from Ability Now Bay Area...
07/17/2026

In honor of Disability Pride Month, we are incredibly proud to spotlight the talented creators from Ability Now Bay Area’s Small Business Center. Through this program, our participant-entrepreneurs build vocational skills, express their unique creativity, and develop their own small businesses.

Swipe through to meet 3 of our featured artists and get a sneak peek at their handcrafted work:

Gloria Brito – Handmade beaded jewelry featuring Disability Pride Month edition colors.

Oscar Matias – Cotton shirts featuring Oscar's custom Disability Pride Month designs.

Monique Harris – Custom-designed tote bags by Monique, without artificial intelligence used in the design or creation process.

✨ See their work in person TOMORROW! ✨ We are partnering with our wonderful friends at East Bay Innovations, who are hosting a special Crafts Fair Celebration! Come out, meet the artists, shop local, and celebrate disability pride with our East Bay community.

The celebration tomorrow will be located at the Ed Roberts Campus (right at the Ashby BART Station in Berkeley) from 11 am - 4 pm.

Image Descriptions:

1: A close-up photo of ANBA artist Gloria Brito working diligently on their beaded jewelry by hand.
2: A close-up photo of Gloria Brito's colorful beaded bracelet creations.
3: A photo of ANBA artist Oscar Matias proudly holding up one of their custom-designed shirts.
4: A close-up photo of one of Oscar Matias' customized white shirts for Disabilty Pride Month.
5: A photo of ANBA artist Monique Harris next to a large sign saying "Not AI Created by Monique, $5 - $30 combo"
6: A close-up photo of one of Monique Harris' Disability Pride Month edition tote bags.

Happy Disability Pride Month from Ability Now Bay Area! This July, we are celebrating the full spectrum of our community...
07/14/2026

Happy Disability Pride Month from Ability Now Bay Area! This July, we are celebrating the full spectrum of our community while actively fighting for our future.

Disability Pride is a demand for equity, not just celebration. True disability justice includes invisible and developmental disabilities and centers Black and Brown disabled voices to eliminate ableism and racism.

Right now, our community is in crisis. Severe state budget cuts are threatening life-saving services like IHSS and Medi-Cal. We need your allyship to protect these essential programs.

Here is how you can stand with us today:
📞 Advocate: Call your local representatives and demand they reject cuts to essential disability services!
🏢 Act: Audit your workplaces and events to ensure they are truly accessible for everyone.
🗣️ Listen: Amplify disabled voices, especially those of color, and follow their leadership.

Swipe through to learn more about the meaning behind the Disability Pride Flag and our movement. ➡️

Image Descriptions:

Slide 1: Disability Pride Flag and text "Celebrating Disability Pride Month" by Ability Now.

Slide 2: Text explaining how Ability Now celebrates Disability Pride and the meaning behind the flag's design.

Slide 3: Graphic decoding the flag's colors, showing what each colored stripe and the background represent.

Slide 4: Slide titled "Expanding Our Advocacy," urging intersectional allyship for Black and Brown voices.

Slide 5: Slide titled "Join the Action" listing ways to help: advocating against cuts, acting, and listening.

We're hiring a Facility Specialist!Ability Now Bay Area is looking for a dependable, hands-on team member to help keep o...
07/08/2026

We're hiring a Facility Specialist!

Ability Now Bay Area is looking for a dependable, hands-on team member to help keep our facilities safe, clean, and running smoothly. If you have experience with facility maintenance, repairs, and building operations, and enjoy solving problems while supporting a mission-driven organization, we'd love to hear from you.

Join our team and help create a safe, welcoming environment where adults with developmental and physical disabilities can learn, grow, and thrive.

Visit the link in our bio to view the full job description and apply today!

📣 We're hiring!Ability Now Bay Area is looking for a Finance, HR, & Admin Associate to join our team! If you're organize...
07/07/2026

📣 We're hiring!

Ability Now Bay Area is looking for a Finance, HR, & Admin Associate to join our team! If you're organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to support our Finance and HR team while helping empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live more independent, connected, and fulfilling lives.

Ready to make an impact? Apply today through the link in our bio!

True freedom requires true accessibility.Today, we celebrate Juneteenth and honor leaders like Johnnie Lacy. She was a B...
06/19/2026

True freedom requires true accessibility.

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth and honor leaders like Johnnie Lacy. She was a Black woman with a disability from Hayward who fought hard for the right to live independently.

Ability Now Bay Area keeps her work alive today. We believe freedom is only real when Black people with developmental disabilities have the power to lead their own lives.

Inclusion belongs to everyone!



Image Descriptions:

Slide 1 : Graphic with a red, yellow, and green background. Text reads: "Juneteenth. TRUE FREEDOM REQUIRES TRUE ACCESSIBILITY." Ability Now Bay Area logo in the bottom right.

Slide 2: Graphic with a red, yellow, and green background featuring a black-and-white photo of Johnnie Lacy. Text reads: "Pioneers like Johnnie Lacy paved the way for real change. Right here in Hayward, she was a strong leader. She was a Black woman with a disability who fought for independent living." Ability Now Bay Area logo in the bottom right.

Slide 3: Graphic with a red, yellow, and green background featuring a raised hand colored in red, yellow, and green. Text reads: "Today, Ability Now Bay Area carries on this legacy. We believe freedom isn't complete until Black individuals with developmental disabilities are fully empowered to lead independent lives. Inclusion belongs to everyone." Ability Now Bay Area logo in the bottom right.

06/18/2026

Today, we are sharing a bittersweet update about the true heartbeat of our community, Michael (D. Money). After almost 20 unforgettable years of brightening our halls, he is relocating and transitioning to a new city. ✨

Ability Now Bay Area truly won’t be the same without his infectious laughter, legendary high-fives, and unmatched dance moves. 🕺🏽💜

While he will be sorely missed by all of our staff and participants, we are incredibly proud of him and excited for his next big chapter. Thank you for two decades of sunshine and wonderful memories, Michael. Keep shining and keep dancing!



[Accessibility Caption / Video Description]:
[Video Description: A lively, heartwarming video montage celebrating one of Ability Now Bay Area's participants. The footage features various clips of the participant smiling widely, dancing, and sharing laughs with other participants and staff members throughout the years. The background shows a colorful, accessible classroom setting with artwork on the walls.]

Ready to build your confidence teaching yoga to individuals with disabilities? Join experienced instructors Lin Maxwell ...
06/01/2026

Ready to build your confidence teaching yoga to individuals with disabilities? Join experienced instructors Lin Maxwell and Baxter Bell this October for an immersive weekend workshop designed to help you safely and effectively adapt your classes for diverse bodies.

🗓️ When: October 16 – 17
📍 Where: Ability Now Bay Area, Oakland
🎓 Perks: 13 Yoga Alliance CEUs available
💰 Note: Full and half scholarships are available!
⏰ Registration opens today, Monday, June 1st. Spots are limited—tap the link in our bio to find out more and secure your spot!

[Alt text: A promotional flyer for Ability Now Bay Area on a clean white background.
On the left side, bold blue text reads "YOGA FOR ALL ABILITIES" above orange text that says "A 2-DAY TEACHER TRAINING." Below the title, a brief paragraph explains that registration opens Monday, June 1st, via the link in the bio. A light blue accent box displays the dates "October 16 - 17" and the location "Ability Now Bay Area, Oakland." At the bottom left, text notes that registration opens June 1st and mentions that scholarships and more information can be found at abilitynowbayarea.org/yoga-for-all-abilities.
The right side of the flyer features a large vertical photograph showing a bright room where a blonde female instructor sits in a chair, leading a seated yoga practice. Two individuals using wheelchairs sit next to and behind her, participating in the session. At the very top left of the flyer is the "Ability Now Bay Area" logo featuring a blue stylized figure with outstretched arms.]

05/23/2026

Sunshine, music, dancing, great food, and even better company ☀️🎉 ANBA’s Summer Fiesta was one for the books!

From longtime participants to new faces, the day was filled with laughter, connection, and the kind of community that makes ANBA so special. Huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, supported, and showed up to celebrate alongside our participants.

Moments like these are why we do what we do.

Address

4500 Lincoln Avenue
Oakland, CA
94602

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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