Adaptive Design Association

Adaptive Design Association (ADA) uses an innovative approach to disability services. We are the only organization that both builds custom assistive equipment (adaptations) using easily-accessible materials like cardboard and wood, and teaches community partners how to do so. Recent examples include a sleek custom wood recliner for Danna, a 12 y-o with cerebral palsy,so she can relax when she needs to take a break from the upright position her wheelchair supports, and a sturdy pink stander for Bella, a 2-y-o with hypotonia, so she can strengthen her muscles, get on her feet, and do it all while tapping out a tune on the piano. Most environments are not built with accessibility in mind, and there are children in every community who can use custom adaptations to overcome environmental restrictions. Parents, therapists, or teachers of children with disabilities run into these common barriers - the device is unavailable in a catalog, will reach the child too late, or insurance will not cover it. They reach out to us when they see a barrier to participation and require that intervention quickly. Often, we are their only recourse. Our adaptations are designed and fabricated collaboratively with the client in response to their unique needs, and create an immediate change in experience. None of the adaptations for use in homes are paid for by clients, and we rely on donations and grants to support this program. We serve 80-100 clients annually, creating up to 200 components of varying degrees of complexity. We also create an average of 8,000+ standardized communication cards for the visually impaired annually, fulfilling orders from the American Printing House for the Blind. Every fabrication activity doubles as a teaching-learning opportunity. As we create critical custom solutions for people with disabilities, we involve marginalized, often-overlooked populations in creating these items, providing much-need transition skills learning opportunities. We have educational programs for youth with autism, people with disabilities, community members,and youth involved in the criminal justice system. We serve 50-60 community members via these programs, and reach an additional 1,500 through awareness building and community engagement events.