What is Avenues?

Incorporated in November, 1953, as the Park Ridge Aid for Retarded Children and later, as the Northwest Suburban Aid for the Retarded, Avenues began as a school providing educational programs for children with disabilities who were not being provided educational services in the public school system. As its students grew, so did Avenues.

By the early 1970's, when children with special needs were guaranteed an equal education by federal law, Avenues focused its programs on vocational and residential training for young adults. Today, Avenues provides employment and housing programs to adult persons with developmental disabilities. A developmental disability is defined as a disorder that occurs before the age of 21, is expected to be life-long, and results in substantial limitations in the physical or mental functioning of an individual. The most prevalent developmental disability is mental retardation.


Avenues Philosophy

Avenues' programs are based on the principles of normalization. It is through the use of everyday, regular types of settings that Avenues provides opportunities for persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible.

Persons in Avenues programs are encouraged to live, work and make use of as many regular community activities and services as they can. As employees and residents of a particular community, they pay taxes and purchase goods and services. In this way, Avenues' people are part of the local economy, ultimately helping to pay for the support that they needed to gain independence. Interaction with members of the community is greatly enhanced, improving acceptance and integration possibilities. Because Avenues and its people are very well accepted in the community, many long-term benefits and natural supports are provided to its people.

Thus, striving for regular work and living experiences is one of the guiding principles for Avenues. One other principle of importance is that of choice, which allows persons served and their families to make their own decisions regarding:

The level of integration that will take place;
Type of support needed; and,
Ultimate independence to be achieved.

Although the current array of Avenues programs is excellent, additional opportunities and choices need to be developed to meet the needs of the many people who look to us for services. Therefore, change is constantly being implemented. It is in this way that new and better programs can be presented to persons with disabilities.


Programs

Supported Living-are independent residential programs currently providing support for up to 81 individuals. Located in an eight-unit Avenues-owned apartment building, seven town-homes and four single family homes, these programs permit its residents to experience everyday life in as regular a setting as possible. To the best of each individuals’ capabilities, they make decisions and perform living functions as independently as possible. Staff support up to 24 hours a day is available depending upon the specific needs of each resident.

Day Programs-development of everyday life and work skills is the central aspect of the day programs. It provides an opportunity for persons to experience situations in which they may learn or enhance socially acceptable personal and work habits. Opportunities to earn an income are provided through contracts procured from various businesses and industries in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Employment Programs-Develops employment opportunities, on-the-job training and support services for persons employed in the community. Works with employers to increase their knowledge of persons with disabilities.