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Day Habilitation Program Without Walls
Program Overview
The Day Habilitation Program Without Walls (DHWOW) program is an innovative, community-based day program designed to move away from traditional, isolated academic or classroom settings. DHWOW reimagines life-skills training by turning the entirety of New York City into a dynamic classroom.
Our program is proud to partner with Industry City and diverse organizations across Brooklyn to provide high-quality, community-based services that foster truly inclusive experiences. We are dedicated to helping people enrolled in DHWOW grow through meaningful opportunities in job readiness, self-advocacy, the arts, and sustainable employment.
Community Integration: Rather than staying inside a facility, participants spend their days directly engaging with the public, local businesses, and cultural landmarks to build true independence.
Active Engagement over Traditional Academics: The curriculum replaces stationary desk work with experiential, real-world learning designed to spark social opportunities and support long-term personal growth.
Targeted Track Development: The program is built around specialized tracks, such as the Art Studio and the Career Center, to align activities with the specific passions and professional goals of the individuals.
Your Journey to Joining NeuSpark PDS
We are thrilled that you are interested in joining the NeuSpark PDS DHWOW community! Below is a welcoming guide outlining how we work together with you, your family, and your Care Manager to explore if our program is the perfect match for your goals.
Step 1. Connect & Share
What This Means for You
You, your advocate, or your Care Manager reaches out to our team. We gather standard documents to learn about your background, strengths, and medical needs.
Who is Involved
You, Your Family /Advocate, Care Manager, NeuSpark PDS Intake
Step 2. Review & Match
What This Means for You
Our admissions panel evaluates your documents to ensure our program framework safely aligns with your individualized needs.
Who is Involved
NeuSpark PDS Leadership & Clinical Team
Step 3. Visit & Meet Us
What This Means for You
We invite you and your support team to join us for a personal tour and introductory meeting to get to know one another.
Who is Involved
You, Your Support Team, NeuSpark Coordinators
Step 4. Experience a Trial Day
What This Means for You
You get to spend one full guest day participating in our program to see firsthand if you love the community and activities.
Who is Involved
You, NeuSpark PDS Program Staff
Step 5. Plan Your Goals
What This Means for You
Following a great trial day, we collaborate with your Care Manager to outline your preliminary goals and personal Staff Action Plan.
Who is Involved
You, Care Manager, NeuSpark PDS Management
Step 6. Finalize & Start
What This Means for You
Once OPWDD updates are approved and paperwork is processed, we schedule your personalized travel training and pick a start date!
Who is Involved
Care Manager, OPWDD, NeuSpark PDS Team
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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A: We welcome adults (ages 21+) living in Brooklyn who have a Developmental Disability diagnosis and have received OPWDD Eligibility and are cleared for Day Habilitation (DH) eligibility.
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A: We aim to make our program as accessible as possible. Travel fares to and from our location, as well as transportation during program hours for community outings and classes, are fully provided. While we handle the transit, we do ask that participants bring their own lunch or funds for personal meals.
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A: Absolutely! Because DHWOW is a community-based program, our space at Industry City serves primarily as a launchpad and meeting hub rather than a traditional classroom; the true magic of our program happens out in the neighborhoods we explore. To help us customize your visit, we ask that your Care Manager submit your initial referral documents ahead of time. Once we review your packet, we will invite you and your support team in for a personal tour and intake meeting. Following a successful introduction, we will schedule one full trial day so you can experience our daily rhythm, meet peers, and see firsthand if NeuSpark is the right fit for you.
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A: No, the trial day is not mandatory. After successfully completing Step 1 (Connect & Share) and Step 2 (Review & Match), we offer this trial day purely as a way to give you a chance for a real, hands-on experience before making your final decision.
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A: Safety and personalized support are our top priorities. To ensure everyone receives dedicated attention while navigating the community, our activities are hosted in small, tight-knit groups with an average ratio of four to five participants per staff member. Every team member undergoes a rigorous onboarding process prior to hire, including background checks and full safety clearances. Staff complete all OPWDD-mandated certifications, an intensive NeuSpark orientation, and specialized community-safety training (including transit and travel training). Our team also regularly attends advanced seminars and developmental events to ensure the highest standard of care.
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A: Our program HUB location is located at 33 35th Street, Bldg #5 in Industry City, Brooklyn and runs Monday though Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm. We encourage arriving around 8:30am to give you time to meet the staff, connect with their peers and choose their activity for the day (For more information, see the Community Integration & Daily Activities section below).
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A: DHWOW focuses on community exploration, inclusion, and bringing personal goals to life through real-world experiences across NYC. We actively build partnerships with local nonprofits, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and Industry City businesses. Every activity is chosen to support personal growth and spark social opportunities. Instead of traditional academics, participants engage in active community experiences. Examples include joining a weekly book club at the Sunset Park Library, exploring new neighborhoods using Google Maps, volunteering at local senior centers or animal rescues, practicing outdoor yoga on the Industry City lawn, and taking art tours at The Met.
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A: Yes, participants choose their own activities! The program offers a daily menu of options across Industry City and the five boroughs. Because groups depart directly into the community, activity sign- ups are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. While most daily activities are completely open choice, certain specialized tracks—like working in our art studio—are arranged in advance based on shared goals and interests. We also feature set weekly and monthly milestones, such as recurring volunteer days at a neighborhood food pantry or workshops with music consultants. Please note that we do not follow a traditional school calendar; we remain open year- round and only close for major federal holidays.
