By Phil Pangrazio, ABILITY360 President & CEO
Photo by Loren Worthington
It has been three months since we announced our rebranding to Ability360. As you can imagine, we’ve been quite busy rolling out all of the changes. If you’ve been to the Ability360 Center or the Sports & Fitness Center recently, you’ve no doubt noticed the changes.
For instance, you’ll have seen the new Ability360 Center monument signs in front of our property with the large blue circular arrow. You’ll also have noticed the circular arrow logo embossed in a frosted fashion on all of the glass doors of the Center. In the courtyard, you’ll have seen the large gray circular logo with its tagline–advocacy, independence, equality. The reception desks of the Ability360 Center and the Sports & Fitness Center are both adorned with the beautiful and modern Ability360 name and logo. Above the gymnasium floor and attached on both sides of the running track, you’ll have seen the large Ability360 name and circular logo. All of these changes beaming in our new and glorious color scheme of charcoal gray and bright blue.
As you can tell, we’ve made great progress in rolling out the new name and rebranding, but we are well aware that more is yet to be done. We’re still working on the signage for our other office locations and our marketing materials and website are a work in progress. So if you notice anything that’s not quite yet complete, be assured we’re getting to it.
That said, what do you think? Pretty cool, huh? We certainly think so, and the feedback we’ve received thus far has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve had so many people comment about how much they like the new name, colors and logo and express their understanding of why this change was so important for us as an organization.
Also of significance, 2016 marks the 35th anniversary of the organization. I think it’s fitting that the new name, Ability360, will figure prominently during our organization’s celebratory 35th year. Ability360 will be a point of pride as we celebrate 35 years of fulfilling our mission to empower people of all abilities in our community to be more independent and self-sufficient.
The emphasis upon “ability” reflected in our new name will lead to greater distinction in promoting our long-held values of full integration, community participation, self-determination, consumer control, consumer choice and grassroots advocacy.
Importantly, the change to Ability360 is a step toward redefining our organization and visibility in the community. We believe Ability360 will better project our mission and values to the larger community, especially as it relates to the concept of disability.
We think Ability360 will project a more positive image, attitude and perception about what people with disabilities are capable of contributing and achieving.
It changes the paradigm to focus on abilities. It is our hope that Ability360 will lead to greater community awareness, but also greater dignity and respect. We believe Ability360 will move us in that direction.
I hope you share our excitement about this change to Ability360! I look forward to seeing you some time at the Ability360 Center and the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center.
Phil Pangrazio
Ability360 President & CEO
Phil Pangrazio is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ability360, one of the largest Centers for Independent Living in the United States, with an annual budget exceeding $35 million. Pangrazio oversees a wide array of programs designed to empower people with disabilities to achieve or maintain independent lifestyles within the community. Under Pangrazio’s leadership, Ability360 has experienced fourteen consecutive years of growth and success. Ability360’s expansion of its Home Care Services (HCS) program and the additions of both SSA Work Incentives Planning and Assistance, Ticket-to-Work Employment, Youth Transition Services, Living Well with a Disability and Arizona Disability Vote Project are just a few of his achievements. He also launched a comprehensive marketing and public relations campaign that has expanded Ability360’s visibility with donors, volunteers, government officials and the community at large.