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...
Impact Stories
Read about what we are up to, and upcoming events.
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...
Standing Tall with Leon!
Leon is a bright, happy, just-turned-two year old with a love for languages. He understands Spanish, French, and English. His young, creative mind is constantly forming new thoughts, and he...
Saul is Ready to Rumble
Saul is an outdoorsy kid who loves to go as fast as he can. However, he has to move from place to place in his wheelchair to accommodate his oxygen...
Emily's Golden Chariots
Emily loves school and especially lunchtime. She is a good sport and almost always has a smile. But her days were also filled with frustration: Her therapeutic chair was cumbersome,...
Chuckie's 'Do Everything' Chair
Chuckie is an active teen who recently hit a growth spurt. His strong arms are now the power center of his body. He has a care team that works with...
Thomas is growing again!
Thomas is a lifelong friend of ADA. “We found out about ADA when Tommy was two years old,” said his grandmother, Denia. “When Tommy was born, his parents were told...
Liya Loves her Big Red Bike
Liya and her sister Ella live just down the street from their grandparents in Queens. Every week the girls walk with their parents for Sunday visits. Liya loves to visit...
Baby Orla is Working on Standing!
Little Orla awakens every morning to the sounds of her four siblings getting ready for school. Her mother, Karyn, deftly herds her brood from the breakfast table to the front...
Josh's Dream Chair
Josh uses a foot cycle in physical therapy with his physical therapist at school. Josh’s PT recommended that he continue to use one while at home; however, there was no...
Meet Hannah!
Hannah is twenty-one-year-old who knows New York like the back of her hand. She has favorite museums that she visits frequently. She loves to attend Broadway musicals and never misses...
Paulina and Her Friends
Paulina is a lively ball of energy. She is curious, has an infectious laugh, and until now, has experienced her classroom surroundings only while sitting in a wheelchair. Her teachers...
Isaiah and friends
Isaiah is a growing “tween” who loves to test his own strength. At school, he was delighted to test his balance by tipping his chair back on two legs. “We...
Students Making for Students
25 years ago, the founding directors of Adaptive Design Association, Inc. had a vision to build adaptive equipment and teach others how to do so in a least restrictive way....