Options Inc

Options is a private, nonprofit offering services that develop and maintain life skills for over 200 people with intellectual, developmental disabilities or related conditions so individuals can fully participate in their community. We serve people with a wide range of abilities and interests and do everything we can to support individualized, person-centered services both in and outside of Options, Inc. 

We are committed to empowering and supporting adults with disabilities in living and working in the mainstream of community life.

For almost 43 years, we have provided a variety of services to support individual interests and needs.  Employment Services assists people with securing and maintaining employment. Day Services supports people in becoming involved in their community. Options provides opportunities for people to explore interests through enriched activities both in-center and throughout their community. Individuals work together with staff to identify interests, set up community engagement opportunities that are meaningful and foster independence. We focus on enriching the life of each participant by building upon his or her interests, skills, knowledge, unique strengths and abilities. On site activities include art, yoga, and music. We provide support in the areas of self-care, communication, and interpersonal skills and ddditional specialized supports for people with autism, health, and safety needs. 

Over the course of the pandemic, Options had to adjust how we deliver services to meet state and federal requirements. One of the things we discovered is that being outside was a liberating, joyful experience. When outside, clients and staff could remove masks and spend time with friends. 

We also learned that Options doesn’t currently have usable, accessible outdoor space for people to use on their own or in a group. We made it a goal to remedy that as soon as possible. 

We are excited to announce we are creating a new, outdoor programming space for everyone to enjoy—Outside Options. We have launched a fundraising campaign to help us develop this special outdoor space and are seeking community support. We worked with a landscape professional to put our ideas into a plan that will create wide-paths that are wheelchair accessible, seating areas throughout, a bocce ball court, areas for people garden in raised planters, native planting areas, green space and areas for people to gather. There will be trees throughout and pathways will be lined with perennial flowers. The space will also include a large gazebo to provide shelter from the sun and rain and provide a space from group activities. 

We also hope to add a sound garden that includes musical instruments such as large chimes and bells. A sound garden offers a unique way for people to be creative and express themselves both physically and emotionally. It can bring solace, excitement, engagement and learning all in one space. Music has elements to engage cognitive, social, sensory and motor skills. 

We are excited about the opportunities this project will create for the people we serve-from classes in the gazebo to beautiful spaces for quiet time alone or with a friend.