Community Building
The Adaptive Design Association hosts field trips, professional development opportunities through one-day workshops and week-long intensives, corporate opportunities, internships, and custom presentations.
Made to Learn
Special educators partner with school administrators, para professionals, transition coordinators and school therapists to design a classroom setting and identify participating students. Adaptive Design Association provides initial training for teachers and aids in adaptive design and cardboard carpentry at the Adaptive Design Workshop. Through the school year teachers and students visit Adaptive Design workshop weekly to experience a real work environment, to refine and learn new skills and to partner with the Adaptive Design fabrication staff to make custom adaptive pieces for classmates. The collaboration between District 75 and the Adaptive Design Association Inc. is designed to teach students how to fabricate adaptive equipment.
To learn more about participation in this program please contact Tamara Morgan at tamara@adaptivedesign.org
Corporate Volunteer Experiences
Customize a hands-on, team-building experience. Learn about accessibility and community needs. Beginning with a guided tour, of our studio you will see, touch, and try unique, fun solutions for improving accessibility. Our experts will then lead a hands-on workshop. You will learn about the basics cardboard carpentry techniques and/or switches and circuitry. No experience is necessary. You will leave with a deeper understanding of how affordable materials, simple tools, and creativity can generate solutions that make a difference.
In paying to volunteer, your team not only has shared immersive, hands-on experience in fabrication and adaptive design, but your financial contribution also addresses a critical community need. It allows individuals and families in NYC to gain access to custom equipment that fosters full participation in their communities.
Corporate Volunteer Experiences are typically 1.5 hours and can accommodate 15-20 attendees. Contact Tamara Morgan at tamara@adaptivedesign.org
Virtual Visits
Bring the team from Adaptive Design right into your classroom with our virtual visit. ADA offers a virtual visit opportunity for all age groups. During your visit, your group will tour our midtown workshop, meet with our skilled staff of designers and fabricators, therapists, or educators. Participants will engage in discussions around inclusion, person-centered design, accessibility, creativity, and cardboard carpentry. Explore how local and recyclable materials can become chairs, tables, easels, footrests, etc. The virtual experience can be modified to meet your curriculum needs.
Virtual visits are typically 1.5 hour.
Rate: $225
Contact Tamara Morgan at tamara@adaptivedesign.org
Field trips
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The Adaptive Design Association is happy to welcome group and class field trips. Beginning with a guided tour of our studio, groups will meet our fabricators for an in-depth look into how complex custom adaptations are built. During the tour, participants will see, touch, and try unique, fun solutions for improving accessibility. Visitors leave our studio with a deeper understanding of how affordable materials, simple tools, and one’s own creativity can generate solutions that make a difference.
All group field trips are 1.5 hours.
Rate: $250
Contact Tamara Morgan at tamara@adaptivedesign.org
Internships
We welcome volunteers to the Adaptive Design Association through our Summer Internship Program. Our application cycle opens January 15th and closes March 1st, with notification in early April. Please check back for more information.
Note: During the academic year we only accept internships through co-op and participating accredited programs (social work, occupational therapy, and design) as interns must be placed at ADA four days per week.
Contact: Tamara Morgan at tamara@adaptivedesign.org
Professional Development Workshops
Offered upon request, up to 5 days of training is an opportunity for immersive exposure to adaptive design.
Contact Tamara Morgan at tamara@adaptivedesign.org
Presentations
We love sharing what we do. If you want something beyond our current offerings, please do not hesitate to contact us at 212/904-1200 or info@adaptivedesign.org.
