Focusing on Abilities, Not Disabilities

Much like a college or university experience for a typical person, our Abilities Centered Training (ACT) program is the cornerstone of resident development and improvement at Marbridge. ACT is the embodiment of practical, successful techniques Marbridge has used to serve more than 2,000 residents since its founding in 1953.

ACT provides young adults with the skills to make the successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. Young adults with special needs frequently need assistance to make the adjustment from the Special Education classroom and life at home with their family to a semi-independent community of peers enjoying on or off campus employment.

ACT integrates education, employment, socialization, recreation, and independent living skills training for each resident in an individualized program. ACT applies formal, training-system development techniques that assist each resident to become as independent as possible.

Training Opportunities

Abilities Centered Training (ACT) is built on a system of practical training opportunities that change each winter, summer, and fall. The offerings are based on feedback from residents and family members, as well as derived from the goals established in residents’ Independent Program Plans (IPPs). For the most recent quarter, there were over 159 weekly training opportunities available.

The following lists contain examples of ACT training topics. Level of work and assignments vary based on the resident’s individual capabilities and the IPP.

Reading using shopping lists following directions on signs using a bus schedule choosing "men/women" restrooms reading labels on CDs or cassettes using cookbooks/ phonebooks/textbooks reading basic instructions recreational reading scheduled library visits current events	Nature Training safe plant identification poisonous plant identification plant growth cycles identifying animals native to Texas hill country nature hikes and exploring planting and harvesting vegetable gardens growing and harvesting crops
Horticulture plant identification plant growth needs fertilizing weeding watering harvesting crop rotation propagation	Math reading and understanding price tags making purchases in a store making change from a purchase telling time using a calculator depositing / cashing checks time and money management
Basic Computer Usage using a keyboard sending and receiving email Internet research using computer-assisted training software	Writing completing job applications making grocery and shopping lists writing thank-you notes writing letters to family members
Arts & Crafts drawing, painting, sewing, coloring creative expression with various media color coordination task completion on projects guest artist visits field trips to local museums and art galleries making gifts for family and friends clay molds and free creations	Music singing during chapel services music appreciation group interaction/teamwork self expression performing before an audience rhythm band drama
Community Service making a personal contribution in the community providing assistance to those with special needs being a good neighbor helping others	Safety awareness of surroundings (safe / unsafe) steps to take if lost or separated from a group (i.e., verbalizing name, address, telephone, etc.) travel in the community (i.e., crossing streets, public transportation, etc.) safety around strangers household safety evacuation procedures in case of fire, storm, tornado, etc. water safety