Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany

About

What We Do Lexington provides services and supports in Fulton and Albany Counties to approximately 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, mental illness, cerebral palsy, physical disabilities, epilepsy and traumatic brain injuries. Lexington's person-first approach puts the emphasis on each person's needs, wants and desires rather than their disability. From how we structure program activities to the language we use at our agency, we are committed to fostering an environment where the people we support are not only respected and valued, but also play an integral role in Lexington's day-to-day operations. Lexington continues to expand and diversify while remaining deeply committed to its core values and mission of excellence – making Lexington a great place for people with disabilities and for our employees. Lexington is an innovative agency that constantly monitors the services we provide to find gaps or areas in need of improvement. It is through this careful evaluation process that we are able to enhance existing programs and develop new ones to best meet the needs of the individuals we support. In the past two years, Lexington has implemented two such programs: The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts provides classes, entertainment, exhibitions, special events and a creative education resource for people of all ages and abilities. It is committed to offering accessible art programs for adults and children with developmental and physical differences. The arts center is the home base of Lexington’s world-famous rock band, Flame, a group of musicians who refuse to let their disabilities be a barrier to success. Flame performs more than 70 times per year, touring the country in a custom bus. Flame has been featured on several television shows, including Good Morning America, and in publications such as People magazine. They have performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio; New York’s Apollo Theater; Harvard Law School; the Parthenon in Athens, Greece; and the 2009 Special Olympics. Lead singer Michelle King even sang at the funeral of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics. Transitions is a program that prepares teens and young adults with autism and learning differences for college, careers and life. This demographic often needs extra preparation before they can live independently and achieve success in higher education and careers. To address that need, Transitions developed a curriculum crafted from evidence-based programs and grounded in internationally recognized approaches that will set students on the path toward success. The Transitions curriculum and learning environments are specially tailored to give all students equal opportunities to learn and thrive.

Services Provided

Employment

• Paid employment (e.g., competitive integrated employment)
• Work experience (e.g., volunteer, intern, apprentice, employment training programs)
• Skill development (e.g., technology, employability skills, pre-employment)
• Career development (e.g., career counseling, job club, mentor)
• On-the-job training and support (e.g., job coach, assistive technology, supported employment)
• Youth and adult employment programs

Independent/Community Living

• Housing/Residential services (e.g., apartment, low-income housing)
• Supported living (e.g., in-home assistance, group living)
• Daily living skills (e.g., cooking, cleaning, budgeting)
• Recreation (e.g., parks, sports centers, arts, summer camps)
• Transportation (e.g., public transportation, driving instruction, vehicle modification)

Healthcare

• Health specialists serving youth with disabilities (e.g., developmental pediatrician, occupational therapist, physical therapist, behavioral support)

Family Supports

• Support groups (e.g., parents, caregivers, peers)
• Educational resources for families
• Respite services

Education/Training

• Preschool/early childhood programs
• Vocational training programs
• Tutoring
• School-age programs

Other Services

• Advocacy
• Assistive Technology

Supported Age Ranges

• Early childhood (0-5)
• School age (5-18)
• Young adult (18+)

Counties Served

• ALBANY