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Reimagined Communities

Resource Library

Network

We collaborate with community partners who prioritize making with and making for people with disabilities. We partner with local institutions and organizations to better our community in NYC, as well as encourage and support the growth of our network of similar adaptive design initiatives around the world. 

Resource Library

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Welcome to our resource library. It's a work in progress. Please share your feedback at info@adaptivedesign.org

Technique Videos

Thirty-four short videos demonstrate cardboard carpentry techniques as used at ADA. 

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Making Spaces

3-STEP guidebook and course

The guidebook and online course are FREE tools to support makerspace practitioners to develop and embed equitable youth practice.

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Building with Cardboard

For people with experience building things but new to cardboard as a building material. PDF dowlnoad.

Communication Cards

Making your own tangible symbol cards? This is a visual video demonstration of how to edge card.

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How to Guides

Step by step directions for building an adapted chair from cardboard. Courtesy of Perkins School for the Blind's Adaptive Device Center

Resource Library
Our Network

Network

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We support and encourage other adaptive design initiatives and practices around the world, helping to establish adaptive design communities and learning from other like-minded organizations.

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We encourage organizations to share information to be included on Adaptive Design's network page. Adaptive Design reserves the right to remove information. All listed participants have agreed to share their information on this platform. Please contact rocio@adaptivedesign.org for more information. 

Syracuse
Two men pose for a photograph in a brightly colored room. The one in the red shirt sits in a wheelchair. On the tabletop between the two men is an orange and black chassis-like platform with big black wheels with an orange stripe. Set into this car-like platform is a blue seat with a high rounded back and safety belts.

Syracuse, New York

Connor McGough, Program Coordinator

ARISE Inc.

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www.ariseinc.org/arise-adaptive-design/

Arise Adaptive Design Booklet

315.671.5104 

Cmcgough@ariseinc.org

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Adaptive Design Syracuse, is an interdisciplinary, community-based initiative to ensure that people with disabilities have the equipment they need to live vibrant, full lives.  It's a volunteer collective of people with all types of abilities, their families and friends, clinicians, designers and makers.

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Two smiling women flank a smiling man in a blue checkered shirt.  They stand in front of an open door leading to another room.  In front of them are pieces of cardboard.

Watertown, Massachusetts

Molly Campbell, Occupational Therapist

Perkins School for the Blind, Assistive Device Center

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https://www.perkins.org/services/other/assistive-device-center

617-972-7520
Assistivedevicecenter@perkins.org

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The Assistive Device Center designs and constructs custom devices that help children lead more independent lives. Custom-made items meet the unique needs of individuals while being affordable, durable and attractive. Teachers, therapists, aides and parents from Perkins and the general public are invited to make adaptive devices in the Assistive Device Center by appointment.

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Perkins
Ibarra
A group of people of various ages pose for a photo. Some are standing and some students are seated in wheelchairs. Many of the  adults in the photo are holding certificates. One student in the photo has a blue cardboard tray attached to his wheelchair. Next to him sits an empty wheelchair with a blue seat insert that fits the chair from the top to the footrests. The insert is painted blue and has a cardboard tray the same color.

Ibarra, Ecuador

Kit Frank, Occupational Therapist

Prótesis Imbabura

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Prótesis Imbabura’s mission is to provide Ecuadorian patients with quality affordable prosthetics (artifical limbs), orthotics (braces) and adaptive equipment.  Bob Frank, Prosthetist, and Kit Frank, Occupational Therapist, are volunteer consultants at Prótesis Imbabura. Kit has led the Adaptive Design Workshop since 2008, providing custom adaptive equipment such as standing tables, adapted seats, trays, easels, and wheelchair adaptations.

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An older couple stands outdoors displaying various cardboard items, some brightly painted with scenes, and some unfinished.

Medstead, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Cerebral Palsy Africa - Paper Furniture Social Enterprise

 

http://www.cerebralpalsyafrica.org/equipment/

+44 1361 883315

cpaequipment@gmail.com

 

Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT) techniques were developed in Zimbabwe by Bevill Packer in the 1970s, who made furniture, toys and household items as well as some equipment for people with disabilities. Applying basic engineering principles and working with therapists has led to further developments: specially adapted chairs, standing frames, ride-on animals and wheelchair inserts for children with disabilities in various parts of the world.  Today, Jean and Ken Westmacott in the UK are further developing Packer's work and training instructors who teach APT techniques worldwide.​​

APT
Seven people pose for a photograph in a semicircle around low workbenches with cardboard pieces on them. In the background are shelving units stacked with cardboard sheets.

Kamakwa, Nyeri, Kenya

Metropolitan Sanctuary for Children with Disability

 

www.metropolitansanctuarynyeri.com

www.sanctuaryartists.org

www.walkaboutfoundation.org

 

The goal of the Metropolitan Sanctury is to empower caregivers and individuals with disability, with the knowlege, skills and equipment to reach their full potential and lead a healthy and fulfilling life. The centre includes a rehabilitation clinic; day care for children with special needs; an innovative ultra low cost adaptive cardboard equipment workshop, foam custom contoured seating service,  and orthopaedic technology services. The centre offers physiotherapy & occupational therapy; medical review & nursing care, and medication. 

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Kenya
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