A Social Group for the Differently-abled

The Open Doors program has been a mainstay of the Upper Main Line YMCA since 1980. The goal of the program is to guide, encourage, and challenge each person to reach his or her fullest potential. Recreation and instructional programs are provided in a way that promotes dignity and independence.

While most programs are agency driven, Open Doors is offered within the YMCA for the entire community. Open Doors members share a strong sense of pride in their YMCA community with opportunities to participate in not only Open Doors but in all Y programs.

Program offerings include:

Open Doors Friday Night Out

An interactive, social oriented program designed for adults with physical, cognitive or developmental challenges. Come spend the night out with your friends and make new friends too! Example of activities: Plays at FootLight Theater, Longwood Gardens, Devon Horse show, movies and more.

Open Doors Friday Night In

An interactive, social oriented program designed for adults with physical, cognitive or developmental challenges. Come spend the night out with your friends and make new friends too! We enjoy all the facilities: pool, gym, track, basketball courts and so much more!

Open Doors Saturday Teen Pizza Night

Saturday night out with games, pizza and lots of fun! An interactive, social oriented program designed 12 to 16 yrs old with physical, cognitive or developmental challenges.

Day Trips

One-day and or evening trips enable members to enjoy the fun of traveling and making friends. Various trips are planned throughout the year. The group enjoys visiting many area attractions — sporting events, concerts, shopping and more.

Wildwood, NJ Shore Trip

This weeklong summer trip to the Jersey Shore is the highlight of the year. An event-packed, 5-night, 6-day trip to Wildwood, NJ. Pack your sun screen, beach chair, bathing suit and beach ball for our long awaited yearly trip. This trip is full of activities such as dolphin watching cruises, a visit to Cape May, a day at Morey's Piers amusement park, fun filled days at the beach and pool, grilling out for lunch and out to dinner to a new restaurant every night.

Bowling League

Join us for Bowling at Devon Lanes! This is fun interactive, social oriented program designed for adults with physical, cognitive or developmental challenges. We provide shoes and bowling balls.

Adaptive Programming

The Upper Main Line YMCA offers aquatics and fitness programs for individuals of with special needs.

UMLY Y-Not Otters

This program is for children ages 4-18 with physical / developmental disabilities. Y-Knot Swim Program was created to provide a safe, fun environment where children can play, learn and explore the joys of a healthy active lifestyle. All participants will be tested and assessed as to their ability for placement onto the swim team or as candidates for swim lessons.

Progressive Fitness

This 3 stage fitness program is an introduction to health & wellness in our Wellness Centers. A Trainer will meet with each participant individually to assess their personal fitness needs. We'll work on the body and mind with activities that enhance social competence through character development exercises. Each stage of the program builds on the last and is a prerequisite to advance to the next stage. We suggest spending as much time on a stage as needed to progress. Stages 2 and 3 will be rolled out in upcoming program sessions .

 

All Abilities Playground

Our playground is designed to include all children, whether developmentally challenged or not. Our goal is to provide a unified playground where all children play together, fostering inclusion and diversity. The playground provides every child with a childhood, the experience to go down a slide or scream with delight on a swing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ability Center directly supports a variety of programs that enable children and adults to experience social, recreational and educational opportunities that they never imagined possible.

1. How do I get my family member enrolled?
   There is an application and medical form that needs to be completed before beginning a program with the Ability Center. A meeting with new members and the Director is also important to insure proper placement and familiarity with the program and facility.
   
2. What is the difference between the Ability Center and Special Olympics?
   Our social, recreational, and educational programs are offered through and solely supported by Upper Main Line YMCA. These programs are not associated or part of Special Olympics organization.
   The Upper Main Line Y is proud to a be financial supporter, a Training Site for Special Olympics and provides coaches for the teams. When competing, we compete on the local level as the Y in nine sports. When we compete in Sectionals, State, National and Worldwide we are a part of Chester County’s Team, Pennsylvania’s Team, and Team USA.
   
3. Do we have to be Y members?
   No, you do not have to be a full privileged member to participate in the Ability Center programs. All participants in the Ability Center become Y Program Members when they register. This includes the class for which they have enrolled in only. To utilize the entire facility one would have to become a Full Member.
   
4. How can I help? Come out and volunteer. We could always use a helping hand. Make a donation or organize a fundraiser: Contact The Ability Programming Director: Jennifer F. Whalen at 610 647 9622, x2401.
   
5. Is there funding for this program?
   There is funding available through the YMCA with a program called Y CARES, if you qualify. You could also check with your County Support Systems Program to find out if you qualify for funding.
   
6. What is Y CARES?
   The YMCA of the Upper Main Line provides financial assistance for membership and program fees to anyone in our community experiencing financial difficulty. Our Annual Campaign supports this program. Applications are available at the Welcome Center or in the financial assistance are of this website.