For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), finding meaningful employment after leaving the school system can be a significant challenge.
In Richboro, at 741 Second Street Pike, ABLE Force Employment is creating jobs that allow those adults to learn new skills, earn a paycheck and experience the satisfaction of being part of a workforce.
Founded by Michael Fitzgerald and Brian Damiani, two fathers whose sons have IDD, the organization grew out of concerns about what would happen when their sons aged out of the school system. Also known as the “cliff” to many.
“When our sons were no longer eligible for services through the school system, we wanted them to have a sense of purpose, to wake up every day and know they have a job to do,” Fitzgerald said.
Classic Rock Auto Detail was the first business established by Fitzgerald and Damiani. They recognized that auto detailing involves structured, hands-on work that can be divided into manageable tasks.
Classic Rock Auto Detail was part of ABLE Force Employment until this January, when Mike McGee took over ownership. Although the auto detailing business became a for-profit company, it continues to employ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and operates at the same location. Damiani retired in December 2024. Fitzgerald continues to lead ABLE Force Employment, which provides employment opportunities through its other businesses.
About four years ago, ABLE Force Employment expanded its employment opportunities by acquiring Requip’d, a company that transforms broken hockey sticks into new products. Fitzgerald and Damiani saw potential in the business because its manufacturing process could be broken down into specific tasks suited to employees’ abilities.
Hockey sticks used by professional and college teams are made from carbon fiber, a material that does not readily biodegrade. Rather than sending broken sticks to landfills, Requip’d gives them another use.
Its products include barbecue sets, bottle openers, snow brushes, picture frames, coasters, golf putters, golf brushes and more.
Requip’d works with hockey organizations, teams from the NHL, AHL, NCAA and manufacturers to obtain used sticks and turn them into products sold to consumers and businesses. Requip’d generally receives several thousand broken sticks a year.
The business has developed partnerships with several NHL teams, including teams that sell products made from their own used sticks.
Fitzgerald recalled supplying products to the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights during their runs to the Stanley Cup last year.
“They sent us their sticks, and we were quickly putting together bottle openers, BBQ sets or whatever they wanted us to create from the sticks, so it was really cool that both teams were selling our products in arenas during the Stanley Cup run,” he said.
With the holiday season upon us, the recycled hockey-stick products also offer shoppers an alternative to conventional gifts — appealing to hockey fans while supporting the nonprofit’s employment mission. Businesses can also purchase products for corporate gifts and events, including golf outings. Its products are available through requipd.com and through Pure Hockey, which has 92 stores.
ABLE Fulfillment was developed around the same time Requip’d was established to create additional employment opportunities through packaging and labeling jobs for other businesses. The work can involve large or small orders, including labeling products and boxes, preparing items for shipment and completing other steps required to get merchandise ready for customers.
“At Requip’d I can create processes and tasks from the beginning of assembling and manufacturing the product up to and including when we sell the final product,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said ABLE Force Employment currently has 10 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities working across its businesses, depending on the work and employees’ needs. The organization has grown since its early days, when the founders worked alongside their sons and a small group of other employees.
Initially, Fitzgerald and Damiani hoped to employ adults who could develop workplace skills and eventually move into jobs elsewhere. That goal proved successful for two employees, one of whom went on to work at the post office and another who became a maintenance worker.
Over time, however, Fitzgerald recognized a greater need for opportunities for adults with more significant disabilities.
He said the organization generally hires adults with intellectual disabilities who have IQs below 70. These individuals may face considerable barriers to finding and maintaining employment in a traditional workplace, even when they are motivated to work.
“With the exception of one of our employees, I think it would be very unlikely for any of our other adults to go out and find a job,” Fitzgerald said, using his son Shawn as an example. “Shawn has limited verbal skills, has an IQ of a little over 50 and can’t drive, so it would be very difficult for him to get a job even at McDonald's.”
Fitzgerald said the nonprofit now focuses more heavily on providing lasting employment for adults who might otherwise have few opportunities to participate in the workforce. The work is adapted to each employee’s abilities, with tasks divided into steps that can be learned and completed independently.
Fitzgerald said the nonprofit receives several calls each month from parents seeking employment opportunities for their adult children.
“I don’t exaggerate when I tell you I get several calls a month from parents asking if I can find employment for their special needs sons or daughters,” Fitzgerald said. “I unfortunately don’t have enough work to hire anyone else.”
The organization is actively seeking businesses that need fulfillment services. Companies interested in packaging, labeling and related work can contact ABLE Force Employment by reaching out to Fitzgerald at Mike@requipd.com
Fitzgerald said employees are dedicated and take pride in their work. Additional contracts would allow the nonprofit to provide more hours and potentially expand its workforce.
“I never have an issue getting adults to do fulfillment,” he said. “They love coming to work, and because it is process- and task-oriented, we would like to offer more of it.”
He also sees the pride employees take in receiving a paycheck, regardless of its size.
“Some of these guys walk out of here with a check for $20, and that gives them such a sense of accomplishment,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s not much, but they got a check just like mom and dad do.”
The nonprofit primarily relies on grants and donations, along with the work generated through its businesses, to support its mission.
In addition to employment, Fitzgerald leads ABLE Force Fitness, a separate nonprofit that provides activities for adults with special needs.
Programs include a noncontact boxing and fitness class on Saturdays at Joe Hand’s Gym in Feasterville, yoga on Tuesdays at Garage Barre in Richboro and floorball on Wednesday evenings at ALL Star Sports Academy in Warminster. Each program has between 10 and 13 adults participating.
Fitzgerald said the organization hopes to expand the schedule to accommodate more participants, although adding sessions depends in part on finding additional instructors.
ABLE Force Fitness also plans to hold a camp in June 2027. Families can visit able-education.org and the organization’s Facebook page for updates on its fitness schedule and camp details.
Through its employment businesses and fitness programs, Fitzgerald hopes to continue giving adults with IDD a sense of purpose, independence and belonging, with long-term goals of creating more job opportunities, expanding activities and helping participants develop skills and build relationships.
