The Smeal Learning Center is dedicated to assisting Abilities! in empowering people with disabilities to be active, independent, and self-sufficient participants in our society. Through education, r esearch, and leadership, the Learning Center seeks to influence attitudes, policies, and legislation in order to create a world in which people with disabilities will live simply as people.
The Smeal Learning Center is a unique training facility offering a comprehensive array or training and related services to the educational, research, technology, and employment programs within Abilities!, as well as to organizations and business enterprises from the larger community. Made possible by a generous gift from Mary Jean and Frank P. Smeal, the Learning Center officially opened its doors in September of 1997. Since then, over 20,000 people have participated in the diverse selection of programs offered.
Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, the Smeal Learning Center is pivotal in reaching numerous people and serves as a powerful vehicle in creating opportunities for the exchange of information regarding educational, employment, and research initiatives on significant issues for all people with disabilities.
