We’re making the world more accessible for people with communication disabilities.

Headquartered in Oakland, California, Ability Central is the philanthropic division of the California Communication Access Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2003.

Ability Central is on a mission to serve as a resource, convener, and educator working collaboratively to ensure that people who are Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent can communicate and access information.

A young white man with down syndrome sits in a classroom, wearing a checked button down shirt. He has brown hair and a light beard. His professor, an olive-skinned woman with curly hair, stands behind him and hugs him.

Our Programs

Ability Central Portal

The Ability Central Portal is a comprehensive digital resource that offers disability information across a variety of functions, including mobile device accessibility data, disability service organizations, and events for the disability community.

Philanthropy

Since 2010, our Philanthropy program has been awarding funding to community-based nonprofit and educational organizations in California that establish projects and programs designed to benefit the communication needs of Californians of all ages with disabilities.

Cloud Consulting

Our Cloud Consulting program helps nonprofits identify, implement, and learn to use cloud-based CRM solutions (like Salesforce) to achieve their missions more effectively and efficiently.

Our Mission

To serve as a resource, convener, and educator working collaboratively to ensure that people who are Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent can communicate and access information.

Our Vision

A world where all people have equitable access to communication, empowering them to realize their fundamental right and ability to receive information and express themselves.

Our Values

Compassion

We demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and kindness for all.

Respect

We show consideration for all, celebrating diversity and the ideas of others.

Learning

We expand our knowledge of programs, services, and technologies by learning from our disability community.

Excellence

We push ourselves to do things right, responding with action and leading by example.

Our Principles

We put our vision and values into action by:

Communicating

We explore needs, publicize resources, and promote opportunities for people with communication disabilities.

Convening

We bring together individuals and organizations committed to communication access to identify needs, share opportunities, and empower one another’s goals.

Collaborating

We work with partners to amplify our voice, leverage our work, and multiply our impact.

A senior Asian woman sits inside her house, in front of a hospital bed. She has short white hair and sits in a wheelchair.

Help us help others with a direct donation today.

For questions about Ability Central or any of our programs and services please contact us.