Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
Build skills. Build relationships. Build access.
Get Involved
Adaptive Design offers hands-on volunteer and internship opportunities for people who want to use creativity, making, and collaboration to support children and adults with disabilities. From short-term volunteer shifts to immersive internships, our programs invite you into the heart of our work, designing and fabricating custom adaptive tools that expand access, participation, and independence.
Whether you’re a student, emerging professional, maker, educator, or someone who simply loves working with your hands, there’s a place for you here.
Why volunteer or intern with us
Meaningful work with real-world impact
At Adaptive Design, volunteers and interns don’t work on hypothetical projects. Everything we make responds to real requests from teachers, therapists, families, and service providers supporting people with disabilities.
You’ll gain experience in human-centered design, problem-solving, and collaborative fabrication—while contributing to tools that go directly into classrooms, homes, and community spaces. Along the way, you’ll learn from experienced fabricators and designers and become part of a values-driven community committed to access and dignity.
Volunteer opportunities
Flexible ways to get involved
Adaptive Design offers a range of volunteer opportunities throughout the year, with options for both one-time participation and ongoing involvement. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting our fabrication and administrative teams and help bring adaptive equipment from concept to classroom.
Volunteer work may include:
- Workshop support and fabrication assistance, such as sewing, painting, sanding, and building
- Material preparation and organization to keep projects moving efficiently
- Event and program support, including workshops and community events
- Corporate Volunteer Day facilitation alongside ADA staff
A great place to start is by signing up for one of our monthly Volunteer Build Nights, which offer a low-barrier introduction to our work and community. Volunteers interested in ongoing involvement are asked to choose a consistent weekly time slot and commit to a minimum of four hours per shift, helping ensure continuity and meaningful contribution.
Internship Opportunities
Interns are vital to our community, contributing new ideas and energy while helping advance meaningful solutions. Opportunities are always evolving, and we encourage interested students and emerging professionals to inquire about current openings.
Social Work & Occupational Therapy Internships
Adaptive Design offers internship opportunities to students in Social Work and Occupational Therapy programs, where field supervisors and academic requirements help ground the experience in professional practice.
These placements run during the academic year (September–May) and are designed to strengthen the connection between hands-on making and therapeutic, educational, and community-based outcomes.
Design & Related Fields Internships
Adaptive Design welcomes interns from design and related fields through its Spring and Summer Internship Program, offering immersive, hands-on experiences for students and emerging professionals.
Interns collaborate with staff and volunteers on active projects that address classroom and community needs.
Application process
All internships are based on organizational capacity and are offered through accredited academic programs and co-op partnerships.
Our process includes:
- Resume submission
- Cover letter
- Interview
- Reference checks
Please have these materials prepared when inquiring about whether an internship at Adaptive Design is the right fit for you.
Made-to-Learn Accelerator (M2LA) Program
Adaptive Design offers an extended, stipend-supported internship for post–high school young adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). As a next-step opportunity within our Made-to-Learn program, M2LA provides a structured pathway to build skills, confidence, and independence while transitioning toward employment, vocational training, or further education.
Hands-on community building
Volunteer Build Nights
Our monthly Volunteer Build Nights bring together seasoned builders, first-time makers, past volunteers, and anyone curious about creative problem-solving. Hosted in our NYC workshop, these events provide a casual, welcoming space to help finish adaptive equipment destined for local classrooms and schools. Projects are prepped ahead of time so volunteers of all skill levels can jump in and make a real impact in just a couple of hours.
Whether you’re sanding edges, painting, assembling pieces, or learning simple fabrication techniques, your contribution supports tools that help students participate, learn, and thrive. All tools and materials are provided, snacks are available, and no prior experience is needed. Just bring your enthusiasm!
