Volunteers with Disabilities to Help Build Connecticut’s First ABILITY House
Injured Servicemembers and Veterans to Honor Memorial Day through Volunteerism

Hartford, CT: May 18, 2006—Volunteers with disabilities ranging from dyslexia and diabetes to paraplegia and Parkinson’s Disease will begin construction of an ABILITY House at 46 Risely Street in Hartford. The ABILITY House is an affordable, accessible home built in partnership between ABILITY Awareness and Hartford Habitat for Humanity for a low-income family where one or more members has a disability. The unique aspect of the ABILITY House program is in the utilization of volunteers with disabilities during all phases of construction, emphasizing their skills and talents. The “ABILITY Blitz” will kick-off on Tuesday, May 23 and conclude on Friday, May 26 (modified construction dates will continue through completion).

The Hartford ABILITY House, the first of its kind in Connecticut, is being built for the Brackett family—Joie Bracket and her two daughters, both of whom have Ocular Albinism, a genetic condition that causes decreased visual acuity or low vision. The home will feature standard visitability and accessibility features as well as special accommodations that will improve the children’s quality of life. In order to maximize visibility and minimize the potential of injury, treated surfaces of counters and windows, rounded corners, and adjusted lighting are just a few of the accommodations being made. Demonstrating to the children that any level of vision loss need not hamper a full and productive life, many volunteers who are blind—including a contractor, plumber and others—will be helping build the Brackett girls’ home.

In recognition of veterans who have acquired disabilities in the line of duty and the specific issues they face during recovery and rehabilitation, the ABILITY House program will be launching the ABILITY House Veterans with Disabilities Initiative during ABILITY Blitz Week. In cooperation with numerous vocational rehabilitation and employment service departments, private and state veterans services agencies, the ABILITY House will engage injured servicemembers and veterans in active volunteer service. In honor of Memorial Day, in ongoing service to their country through volunteerism, and in a demonstration of their skills to the community, injured military volunteers from Hartford Vet Center will be onsite Thursday, May 25 to help build the Hartford ABILITY House.
Construction will begin each day at 9 am and conclude at 3 pm.

About ABILITY Awareness
ABILITY Awareness is a nonprofit organization building a world of inclusion for people with health conditions and disabilities through housing, employment, education, media and volunteer opportunities. Created in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, the ABILITY House program was established to offer accessible, affordable housing for low-income families where one or more members has a disability. The project utilizes volunteers with disabilities during all phases of construction and showcases an array of dedicated, talented and hardworking individuals. The ABILITY House demonstrates the potential of every person and empowers a community with a new level of awareness.

About Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity
Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses are then sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. For more information on Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, visit www.hartfordhabitat.org.

This home is sponsored by a generous donation from Aetna