VENTURE VAN

Turning Disabilities into Possibilities

Living independently is a distinctly American aspiration. Our children are raised with that objective in mind and our elderly go to great lengths to maintain their independence. For people with disabilities, the concept offers particularly formidable barriers.

Community Gatepath and PARCA are two of Silicon Valley’s exemplary nonprofits helping individuals with disabilities learn to live a life of relative self-reliance. They support individuals like Lisa, whose autism threatened to isolate her from the community of family, friends and neighbors. Today, at age 25, Lisa is able to return from work and chat with friends outside of her assisted-living studio apartment in Belmont. She lives a fulfilling, independent life because these nonprofits offered excellent support at critical stages of her development.

In visiting state-of-the-art facilities at these nonprofits, we will hear and experience ways that people with a wide range of disabilities are developing skills and living as integrated members of their communities.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
This tour will depart from an accessible location on the Peninsula; for details and to reserve a space, contact venturevan@siliconvalleycf.org.