In 1995 the director of MR Services, John Van Camp, recognized the need for a community based day program for individuals with MR/DD. At that time there was only one day program available in the area, that being a traditional workshop style program. The need for an alternative was realized through discussions with individuals who had chosen to stay at home rather than attend the only program available, and also through the voice of those individuals that were attending that program but desirous of something more.

Windows Without Walls began in the summer of 1995. That summer we had twelve individuals and five staff that were involved in community recreational activities. When individuals returned to school at the end of the summer we had eight individuals and three staff.

Our goals were, and still are, to offer an option to the sheltered workshop style program and to provide activities and training in the natural community setting. Because we wanted to have individual input and ideas in the planning of the program we set up meetings with each of the individuals and staff to determine interests, needs, likes and dislikes. This information was used to develop activities and calendars in which individuals choose activities they are interested in. Each month individuals and staff met together at one of the homes to discuss and plan our activities for the next month. We did research along the way locating activity opportunities with training potential. We literally accessed everything we needed in various community locations.

In 1997 we obtained space at the Mental Health Center basement for Windows. As we grew we obtained additional space in the basement of Navalu for a group. In 1999, due to need for a larger space we obtained the Cottage for Windows space. By January 2000 we served 24 individuals in five groups and were all based in the Cottage. In July 2001 we located and moved into our current location.

In June 2004, two programs combined and relocated to serve thirty-one individuals and have seventeen full and part time staff. Although we now have a base location for the individuals to arrive and depart from, we continue to provide activities and training in natural community settings. The individuals and staff continue to plan activities and training based on individual interests, needs, likes and dislikes.

Our training includes, but is not limited to, independent living skills (money management, self-care, safety, etc.); self-advocacy; self-determination and expression skills; and communication. We have grown in our dual diagnosis population and provide daily, basic living skills training in areas pertinent to their needs. We continue to assist individuals with a self-advocacy group in which the individuals discuss, learn, and demonstrate rights, responsibilities, advocating, voting, etc.

The individuals continue to amaze us on a regular basis with their growing abilities and interests. They regularly schedule and participate in activities involving places such as the Birmingham Zoo, Moundville Archaeological Park, The Birmingham Museum of Art, The McWane Center, Concerts at the Birmingham Park, as well as the training activities in local areas.

WINDOWS UNLIMITED

In April 2001 Windows Unlimited was developed for individuals in the Fayette, Southwest Marion, and Lamar area. Modeled after the highly successful Windows Without Walls program of Walker County, it is also a community based adult activity program. The program opened with eight individuals enrolled. Windows Unlimited accesses a variety of resources in Winfield, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Jasper, Haleyville, Russellville and Hamilton that offer opportunities for training in areas of independent living skills (money management, self-care, safety, etc.); self-advocacy; self-determination and expression skills; and communication. Staff meet with individuals regularly to discuss personal ideas and interests and to develop the program's activity calendars. Windows Unlimited currently has enrollment of fifteen individuals with eight staff.

What's in a name?

The names "Windows Without Walls" and "Windows Unlimited" depict the firm belief that individuals with MR/DD can be provided opportunities for personal growth and accomplishment without the boundaries of a conventional day time program, in the natural community setting where we all live, work and grow.