What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Tetra Society of North America

Home
Canada
Vancouver, BC
Tetra Society of North America

Barriers faced by people with physical disabilities are caused by the landscape, not the disability. We invent unique solutions for accessibility.

To overcome barriers, we create unique gizmos and hack existing equipment.

08/18/2026

This week, we’re looking back at a project from the Tetra archives.

Our client was a six-year-old with cerebral palsy who was unable to walk. She had outgrown her jogging stroller, which her family used to take her to the beach and over rough terrain. As she grew, her foot began getting caught in the front wheel spokes. With no commercially available strollers available in her size, her parents turned to Tetra Society for help.

A Tetra volunteer from our Vancouver chapter stepped in and adapted her existing stroller. They built up the seat with a foam and canvas cushion backed by a rigid nylon plate and secured it using adjustable Velcro attachment points. The design also allowed the seat height to be raised as she grew.

Thanks to this custom solution, she was able to continue enjoying rides in her jogging stroller with her family.

Projects like this have been at the heart of Tetra for decades: volunteers finding creative, practical solutions to meet individual needs. 💙

If you or someone you know needs a custom assistive device, visit tetrasociety.org/solutions/assistance to learn more.

08/13/2026

The latest Gizmo is here!
In this issue, we’re sharing stories from across the Tetra community—creative projects, inspiring people, student volunteers, and updates from our chapters across Canada.

Take a look and see what the Tetra community has been up to!

Read the July Gizmo:https://tetrasociety.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/07/Gizmo-July-2026.pdf

08/11/2026

Happy , everyone!

Our client was a young boy who was visually impaired and had cerebral palsy. He wanted a way to throw a ball from his wheelchair so he could play with his friends. However, he had limited hand movements, so he reached out to Tetra Society for a solution.

Tetra volunteers from our St. John’s chapter quickly stepped in. They designed a simple and low-cost “thrower” with a Lexan strip as a launcher and a lever mechanism which could be triggered by a light push. Lexan is a tough but flexible type of plastic. An assistant could place the ball on the launcher and pull it back. Then with a small push on the mechanism from the boy, the ball is sent flying 8 to 10 feet. The entire setup could also be attached to and removed from the wheelchair with ease.

Thanks to the support of our volunteers, the young boy was able to join in and play ball games with his friends.

If you or someone you know needs a custom assistive device, please visit tetrasociety.org/solutions/assistance to learn more.

08/04/2026

Happy , everyone!

Our client needed a U-shaped desk to use their computer to work. However, no commercially available desks fit their wheelchair, so they reached out to Tetra Society for a solution.

A Tetra volunteer from our Hamilton chapter quickly stepped in. They designed and fabricated a custom wood-topped desk with a U-shaped cutout. This allowed for the client to roll their wheelchair directly into the desk and work comfortably up close. At 30 by 32 inches wide, the compact surface holds a large iPad and keyboard within easy reach, and the desk is height-adjustable from 22 to 28 inches to suit the client’s needs.

Thanks to the support of our volunteer, our client gained independence and was able to work comfortably.

If you or someone you know needs a custom assistive device, please visit tetrasociety.org/solutions/assistance to learn more.

07/28/2026

Happy , everyone!

Our client relied on a walker for mobility and loved her daily walks, but she struggled to keep her routine as she had no way to protect herself from the rain. She reached out to Tetra Society for a solution.

Tetra volunteers from our Vancouver chapter quickly stepped in. They created a detachable aluminum tube that clamped securely to the frame of the walker, with the client’s umbrella sliding into the top end. Since the tube can be removed whenever it is not needed, the design stayed out of her way on dry days.

If you or someone you know needs a custom assistive device, please visit tetrasociety.org/solutions/assistance to learn more.

07/21/2026

Happy , everyone!

Our client and her husband reached out to Tetra Society to make her baby changing table wheelchair accessible.

Volunteers from our Vancouver chapter modified an “over-the-bed” type hospital table. They repositioned the support column to the opposite side, so it would not collide with the client’s feet or wheelchair controls. Four new locking casters were also installed to allow for easy movement while maintaining a stable surface. A non-slip tabletop material was also applied for added security.

Thanks to the support of our volunteers, our client was able to change her baby with greater ease.

If you or someone you know needs a custom assistive device, please visit tetrasociety.org/solutions/assistance to learn more.

07/16/2026

The Tetra Society is a non-profit organization that recruits volunteers to design and build innovative, custom, one-of-a-kind assistive devices for people with disabilities. Where commercial solutions do not exist or are unavailable, Tetra steps in to bridge the gap, creating customized devices that foster greater independence, inclusion, and quality of life.

We are seeking a passionate, highly organized, and community-oriented Chapter Coordinator to manage and grow our Prince George chapter. In this role, you will be the bridge between people with disabilities requesting assistance and the talented volunteer "makers" (engineers, technicians, and craftspeople) who build custom solutions.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an empathetic coordinator who thrives on community networking, volunteer engagement, and making a tangible difference in people's lives.

If you are interested in this opportunity with Tetra Society, please email Sheryl Rose Newman at [email protected].

07/14/2026

Happy , everyone!

Our client was a two-year-old boy who needed to be connected to a respirator at all times. He and his family wanted to use a ZipZac, a brand of a small wheelchair made of plastic and foam, designed for toddlers. However, the boy needed a basket attached to keep the portable, battery-powered respirator close by. The parents also wanted a handle so they could push the ZipZac while standing.

Tetra volunteers from our Calgary Chapter came up with a low-cost solution. They built a basket out of thin steel rods and attached it to a metal mounting base. The base was then bolted onto mounting points underneath the ZipZac. A caster was also added to the bottom of the basket to help keep the chair stable.

For the handle, they used a removable pipe that slots into a holder welded onto the basket mount in between the ZipZac and the basket. A piece of a rubber hose is slipped over the pipe to provide the parents with a comfortable grip.

Thanks to the support of our volunteers, the young boy was able to move with greater independence, and his parents were able to support him more easily along the way.

If you or someone you know needs a custom assistive device, please visit tetrasociety.org/solutions/assistance to learn more.

07/07/2026

Happy ! 💙

This week's project highlights a custom iPad holder designed for a client who wanted to read while lying on his back in bed or on the sofa.

Holding a book or tablet for long periods had become uncomfortable because of pain in his wrists, shoulders, and elbows, along with arm tremors. He was looking for a way to read comfortably without having to hold the iPad himself.

A Tetra volunteer designed a custom shoulder-supported holder that securely supports the iPad while allowing it to be adjusted for different reading positions.

If you or someone you know needs a custom assistive device, visit
tetrasociety.org/solutions/assistance to learn more.

Address

110-2285 Clark Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5N3G9

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.tetrasociety.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tetra Society of North America posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Tetra Society of North America:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Vancouver?