A business to business solution…

Gateway to Special Abilities has its focus on creating employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and other significant barriers to employment in conjunction with providing valuable services to our business partners.  We also work to translate corporate goals such as environmental stewardship, sustainability and social commitment into financial win-win situations for all involved.

Gateway to Special Abilities was founded by Connie Oppedal.   In her youth, she suffered extreme damage to her back and thus lost the use of her right leg.  Throughout her recovery period, she was extremely fortunate to have a very loving circle of family and friends to support her.   She was able to get a job in a local factory where she made cloth buttons for the top of baseball caps. The company she worked for was excellent in providing accommodations to enable her to work at this job.

During her therapy and rehabilitation, she realized that her good fortune and support was not readily available to other persons with disabilities. It was then that she decided to dedicate her life to helping other persons with disabilities to find satisfying work opportunities performing productive, relevant work.  She later went on to receive her Master’s Degree and committed her career to that cause. Because of this passion, Gateway to Special Abilities was formed.  .