The Pink Chariot Has Arrived: Synshiana’s New Chair
In Synshiana’s world, everything is better in pink. Not just any pink. We’re talking bold, unapologetic, "Barbie" pink. So, when the team at Adaptive Design set out to build a...
Designing for Inclusion. Building for Impact.
At Adaptive Design Association, we build custom adaptations, foster supportive communities, and help people rethink what disability means, so everyone has the freedom to live, learn, and thrive.
About Adaptive Design Association
ADA is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making everyday life accessible for everyone. Through thoughtful design, hands-on collaboration, and a deep belief in human potential, we create adaptive tools and inclusive experiences that empower people with disabilities and strengthen communities.
Care Is Our Design Philosophy
At Adaptive Design Association, every solution begins with listening. We take the time to understand each person's goals, strengths, and daily experiences before designing solutions that meet their unique needs.
Care means creating adaptations that support real lives, not just functional needs. By removing barriers to access, designing practical and sustainable tools, and empowering communities to create solutions, we help people thrive.
Because adaptive design is about more than function. It's about dignity, agency, and belonging.
For families & care givers
Find the right adaptive solution
Every person interacts with the world differently. We work alongside families, caregivers, and individuals to create custom tools that support independence, participation, and communication at home, school, and in the community.
Communication & learning
Supporting Communication Through Touch
Our tactile symbols and communication tools help individuals who are blind, deafblind, or have complex communication needs access information, express themselves, and engage more fully with the world around them.
Community building
Creating change together
Accessibility happens when people come together. Through volunteer opportunities, workshops, school partnerships, and community programs, we create meaningful change and expand opportunities for all.
Every adaptation has a story
Designing for the Joy of Cooking: Phil’s Story
“Design is for EVERYONE!” — and at Adaptive Design Association (ADA), we take that to heart. Every custom adaptation we make begins with a conversation, a lived experience, and a...
From Cardboard to Confidence: How One Child’s World Expanded Through Adaptive Design
When we first met Lukas in January 2020, he was a one-year-old with bright, searching eyes and parents who, like so many families we meet, were learning how to hold...
Tamara Lights the Way
It was 2004, and Tamara was starting her freshman year of college, living in the dorms at Hunter College. At three foot two inches, Tamara was easy to overlook in...
FAQs
How do I request a custom adaptation?
It's simple. Complete our Let's Get Started form to request an adaptation for home, school, or community use.
Before submitting your request, we recommend talking with the student, family members, therapists, teachers, or other members of the support team to identify goals, challenges, and possible solutions.
What happens next?
- We'll review your request and provide an estimated timeline.
- We'll schedule a fitting to learn about the individual's needs and goals.
- Our team will design and build a custom adaptation.
- We'll conduct a follow-up fitting to test and refine the design.
- Once finalized, we'll complete the adaptation and arrange delivery.
Who do you serve?
We design and build case-by-case adaptations to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities, particularly those with significant cognitive, social, and physical needs. Adaptations empower individuals to participate more fully with their families, in school, and in the community. Our focus is on partnership, creativity, dignity, and making personalized assistive design accessible to those who would not otherwise receive it.
Do you work with all ages?
All ages. We work with infants, children, adults, and older adults with any disability or complex support needs. Timely adaptations for children with early intervention needs (ages 0-3) can significantly improve interactions with family and caregivers, fostering lifelong developmental progress. In classrooms, these adaptations support key social, educational, and vocational goals, while adult adaptations enhance safety and provide more opportunities for community engagement.
Is there a cost for your services?
For all adaptations made for use at home, there is no fee to families. When we collaborate with schools or partner organizations, we follow standard reimbursement systems.
We know that families of children with disabilities often face long wait times, financial barriers, and systemic challenges when trying to access assistive technology. That’s why we take a trauma-informed, equity-driven approach that prioritizes choice, collaboration, dignity, and emotional safety.
Our team works diligently to secure funding so that cost is never a barrier to receiving custom equipment.
Our priority is building long-term relationships with families, ensuring they always feel welcome to return for modifications or new needs as their child grows and develops.
To help ensure others can benefit from our services in the future, we invite families to contribute in the ways that feel right to them. To share their experience through a testimonial, to make a donation, if possible or help spread the word to other families, therapists, and community partners
Can I volunteer or get involved?
Yes! Adaptive Design thrives because of our incredible community of volunteers and partners. There are several ways to get involved.
We welcome volunteers with skills in fabrication, sewing, and administration to support our work during business hours. If you’d like to share your talents and learn alongside our team, please complete our volunteer inquiry form.
Join our evening community build events to learn cardboard carpentry and adaptive design techniques while helping create real solutions for clients. Follow us on Eventbrite to see upcoming dates.
We offer hands-on, impactful volunteer experiences for companies and employee groups. Each session includes: A guided tour of our studio and adaptations in action, Training in cardboard carpentry and/or switches & circuitry, a collaborative build led by our designers, with no experience needed. Learn more here. Please contact Tamara Morgan at tamara@adaptivedesign.org
Monthly Donor
In our workshop, a single sheet of cardboard can become a life-changing piece of adaptive equipment. For just $32 a month, you can sponsor one 4 ft. × 8 ft. sheet of cardboard, providing one of the essential materials our fabrication team uses to create custom adaptations that help children participate, learn, and thrive.
Your monthly support keeps our workshop stocked and our creativity in motion, helping ensure that children and families continue to receive individualized adaptive solutions throughout the year.
Every sheet of cardboard represents a possibility.