New App Simplifies Navigation of Developmental Disability Services in New York
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For medical professionals serving patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, explaining and coordinating support services often presents a significant challenge. A new app called Abilibee is changing the landscape by providing a comprehensive, user-friendly platform to help families navigate the complex system of care and support services across New York State.
Developed by Abilities First, a trusted Hudson Valley nonprofit provider organization, with initial funding from the Council for Developmental Disabilities, Abilibee serves as a digital companion for families, offering step-by-step guidance from early childhood through mature adulthood. The app includes curated resources and planning tools designed to empower families in advocating for their needs throughout various life transitions.
Since its launch in late 2024, Abilibee has gained significant traction among parents, caregivers, self-advocates and professionals. Currently serving over 500 active users statewide, largely through word-of mouth, the app has also proven valuable to care providers, with 35% of users being agency members such as care managers and provider professionals. This adoption rate underscores the app’s utility in supporting healthcare providers as they guide patients and families through complex care systems.
“When my husband and I were walking to the car after getting our son’s diagnosis, we just looked at each other and said, ‘now what?’ shares one parent. “You must have been reading my mind when you created this app.” Abilibee was designed for this impact on families facing new diagnoses and transitions in care.
Abilibee’s Key Features:
- Comprehensive resource library
- Step-by-step transition guides
- Planning and organizational tools
- Multi-language support
Abilibee is free to users. Content is continuously enhanced based on user feedback. Medical professionals can offer Abilibee to their patients as a resource for navigating the developmental disability support system in New York State.
For more information about Abilibee, visit www.abilibee.org. Physicians interested in receiving rack cards about Abilibee for distribution to patients can contact [email protected].
