Adaptive Design Association

Adaptive Design Association At Adaptive Design we adapt or customize assistive devices. Some techniques include cardboard carpen

ADA envisions a day when adaptive design services are widely recognized as an indispensable resource for children and all people with disabilities; and customized equipment is being produced quickly, affordably, and locally.

A child should not need to wait for approval to stand and explore., we believe in prioritizing responsiveness over reimb...
06/03/2026

A child should not need to wait for approval to stand and explore.

, we believe in prioritizing responsiveness over reimbursability because development can’t be put on hold. The stander Leila is using has been beautifully painted in hues of grey, yellow, and purple but beneath that customized design is something very simple: cardboard.

Built with about $35 in materials, this stander is more than a piece of equipment it’s care, access, dignity, and possibility.

Every piece we make is designed and fabricated by our expert team in collaboration with children and their care teams and is always provided at no cost to families.

We’re continuing to expand our reach in early intervention across NYC, working to meet children where they are, when they need it most.

If you’re part of an early intervention network or rehabilitation center in NYC and are interested in partnering with us, reach out at [email protected].

What does adaptive design look like?Sometimes it looks like an adaptive designer sitting in a family’s living room, list...
06/03/2026

What does adaptive design look like?

Sometimes it looks like an adaptive designer sitting in a family’s living room, listening carefully to a parent describe a challenge they’ve been facing every day.

It looks like a therapist sharing insights from weekly sessions. It looks like a child showing us what they love, what motivates them, and how they move through the world.

Together, we collaborate to create something that is just right for that moment without months of waiting, without one-size-fits-all solutions. Sometimes it’s even painted in a child’s favorite color.

At , everything starts with listening and ends with something someone can actually use.

That’s why we’re so excited about the $100,000 Innovation Grant. This investment will help us scale our Adapt for Access program, bringing personalized adaptive solutions to even more babies and toddlers during critical developmental years.

Because every child deserves access. Every family deserves support. And every solution should begin with the people who will use it.

What does adaptive design look like?Sometimes it looks like an adaptive designer sitting in a family’s living room, list...
06/03/2026

What does adaptive design look like?

Sometimes it looks like an adaptive designer sitting in a family’s living room, listening carefully to a parent describe a challenge they’ve been facing every day.

It looks like a therapist sharing insights from weekly sessions. It looks like a child showing us what they love, what motivates them, and how they move through the world.

Together, we collaborate to create something that is just right for that moment without months of waiting, without one-size-fits-all solutions. Sometimes it’s even painted in a child’s favorite color.

At Adaptive Design, everything starts with listening and ends with something someone can actually use.

That’s why we’re so excited about the $100,000 Innovation Grant. This investment will help us scale our Adapt for Access program, bringing personalized adaptive solutions to even more babies and toddlers during critical developmental years.

Because every child deserves access. Every family deserves support. And every solution should begin with the people who will use it.

is honored to be named a 2026 Innovation Grantee and recipient of a $100,000 .This transformative investment will allow...
06/03/2026

is honored to be named a 2026 Innovation Grantee and recipient of a $100,000 .

This transformative investment will allow us to expand our Adapt for Access program, reaching even more babies and toddlers with disabilities during the earliest and most important stages of development. Every adaptive solution we create is designed to unlock access, foster independence, and support families when it matters most.

Two weeks ago, Executive Director, Jenn Hercman, Grants Manager, Michelle D’Mello, Board Chair, Carole Gordon and Vice Chair, Lisa Yokana joined hundreds of women at The Big Give to witness the power of collective giving in action. Standing among 470 women committed to creating meaningful change across New York City was both inspiring and humbling.

We are deeply grateful to the members of Impact100 NYC for their thoughtful review process, their belief in our mission, and their investment in a future where every child has the opportunity to participate, play, learn, and thrive.

This recognition belongs to our entire community. Our families, volunteers, staff, board members, partners, and supporters. We could not be more ready to take on this opportunity and expand our impact together.

Thank you for believing in what’s possible.

Get ready for the opening of CARExDESIGN at NYCxDESIGN 2026.Join Adaptive Design Association for CARExDESIGN: In Convers...
05/12/2026

Get ready for the opening of CARExDESIGN at NYCxDESIGN 2026.

Join Adaptive Design Association for CARExDESIGN: In Conversation — an evening of stories, space, and dialogue on why inclusive, person-centered design matters. Tour the studio, connect across disciplines, and hear reflections from 25 years of collaboration. Light refreshments served. Click the link in our bio to learn more about the event and reserve your spot.

🌺 Celebrating Mothers all month long 🌺This Mother’s Day month, we honor the deep love, advocacy, and everyday care that ...
05/08/2026

🌺 Celebrating Mothers all month long 🌺

This Mother’s Day month, we honor the deep love, advocacy, and everyday care that families bring to this community.

Today, we are honored to celebrate Susan and her son, Charlie. Sixteen years ago, Charlie was measured for a custom desk made just for him . One of our staff captured this moment as he proudly sat at his desk.

Charlie passed away last July. He would have turned 18 next month. This is Susan’s first Mother’s Day without him.

And yet, in the midst of that grief, Susan reached back out to share this photo and video with us, reminding us how meaningful these adaptations were in Charlie’s daily life.

Swipe to watch Charlie in action.

Thank you, Susan, for allowing us to honor Charlie and share his story with our community this Mother’s Day month. Your love continues to ripple outward. 💛

Teacher Appreciation Week felt extra special as we welcomed educators from into our space for a hands-on workshop fille...
05/07/2026

Teacher Appreciation Week felt extra special as we welcomed educators from into our space for a hands-on workshop filled with energy, creativity, and big smiles.

Teachers rotated between cardboard carpentry and battery interrupter stations, building practical tools they can bring straight back to their classrooms. We also surprised a few with giveaways from our teacher wish list collection.

This is what community-based support looks like. Our special educators show up every day with creativity and heart to ensure students with disabilities have access to meaningful learning experiences and we loved the chance to pour a little of that care back into them.

The smiles say it all.At our Tactile Talks workshop, each educator didn’t just leave with new ideas they left holding a ...
05/04/2026

The smiles say it all.

At our Tactile Talks workshop, each educator didn’t just leave with new ideas they left holding a tangible symbol they made themselves, ready to use with students that very day.

At the start of the session, a few people looked at the materials and wondered, “What is this object on a piece of cardboard?”

By the end, that same object had become a powerful communication tool tied to choice-making, participation, and student agency.

That transformation is why it’s so important to infuse hands-on making and real teacher support into professional development. When educators build the tools themselves, the learning sticks. The strategy becomes practical. The confidence becomes visible.

Grateful to the for making this kind of in-school, hands-on learning possible right here in our neighborhood.

This is professional development you can hold in your hand.

Bringing tactile systems education into the school building is where our mission comes to life.With support from the , w...
05/04/2026

Bringing tactile systems education into the school building is where our mission comes to life.

With support from the , we partnered with the incredible team at P226M to deliver a Tactile Talks workshop for a cross-disciplinary group of SLPs, OTs, PTs, and Special Educators.

Some educators in the room were veterans with experience using tangible symbol systems, while for others this was a first introduction. Bringing everyone together created an important moment to reconnect around the effectiveness and value of tactile communication, sharing reminders, new ideas, and practical ways to apply it across classrooms and therapies.

This is what happens when fabrication meets community building.

For over two decades, we’ve created tangible symbol cards for individual clients and classrooms. Through hands-on workshops like this one, that knowledge moves directly into the hands of the professionals who use them every day, right here in our neighborhood schools.

Huge thanks to the administration and staff for welcoming us in, to the therapists and educators who showed up ready to collaborate, and to our partners who helped shape a session.

This is how inclusion grows: teacher by teacher, classroom by classroom, student by student.

Happy to share our Tactile Talks series continues! Join Adaptive Design for a dynamic, end-of-school-year gathering that...
05/04/2026

Happy to share our Tactile Talks series continues! Join Adaptive Design for a dynamic, end-of-school-year gathering that brings together educators, therapists, parents, and practitioners for a day of reflection and hands-on making.

Have you participated in an Adaptive Design workshop recently and been using tangible symbols in your classroom, home, or program? If so, this event is for you.

Participants can expect a highly interactive, hands-on experience that blends reflection, collaboration, and making.

Who should attend? Only those who have attended previous Tactile Talks Workshops with Adaptive Design, either at your school, a conference, or at our workshop. (There will be other introductory workshops coming up soon!)

CTLE credits are available.

Registration link in bio.

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New York, NY

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

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+12129041200

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