For parents, caregivers and teachers of kids with physical disabilities, having a proper chair or desk in which to eat, learn or play can be an incredible challenge.  In the world of  special needs, Alex Truesdell will tell you from experience that one size definitely does not fit all.

Alex is the visionary behind the Adaptive Design Association AdaptiveDesign.org, a non-profit group that she founded in 1998. Based on a successful program model she developed for the Perkins School for the Blind, the Adaptive Design Association ensures that children with disabilities obtain the customized equipment they need to thrive in home, school, and community life. To this end, Adaptive Design offers training in adaptive design, builds customized equipment, and promotes a broad-based expansion of adaptive design services and education in schools, hospitals, and communities.

“When I was asked to take on this initiative, the challenge was tremendous,” said Alex.  “Sustaining a non-profit is difficult in New York, but children everywhere need customized adaptive solutions — and this agency is all about inspiring people to take notice.”

When asked about her organization’s most noteworthy achievements, Alex lists many, including:
• Adaptive Design has created customized equipment for hundreds of children with unique positioning, health, and/or developmental needs
• The association has provided hands-on classes for teachers and therapists working in public and private schools throughout New York City
• They maintain a “Never Say No” policy, so children get equipment, as soon as the Adaptive Design Association can make and deliver it, or teachers can take classes, even when reimbursement is doubtful or impossible
• 126 women in transition have completed work-readiness internships, gaining transferable workplace skills
• They have introduced undergraduate and graduate students in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy to adaptive-design technologies through internships and fieldwork experiences
• The Adaptive Design Association uses eco-responsible materials – one of their favorites is three-layered corrugated cardboard and wooden nails.

“The children we create equipment for and their families are obvious beneficiaries, but the people who design, build, and decorate the equipment, as well as the classmates, and the wider community, also benefit immeasurably,” added Alex.

For more information on the Adaptive Design Association, please visit their website at: www.adaptivedesign.org.

Among The Giants from Adaptive Design on Vimeo.

For our inaugural “PossAbilities All-Star” feature, we’ve set high standards. In keeping with the spirit and focus of this regular column, RDAA is celebrating the achievements and acknowledging the contributions of Richard Ellenson to the special needs community.

PossAbilities All-Star: Richard Ellenson, Creator of the Tango and Chief Vision Officer, Dynavox & Mayer-Johnson

Richard Ellenson’s innovative work and continued dedication to the special needs community is fueled by his son, Thomas Ellenson. Tom, now 12 years old, was born with Cerebral Palsy. Intellectually and emotionally on par with his peers, Tom is limited in his ability to verbally communicate, and cannot get around without his wheelchair.

As a former ad executive, Ellenson’s perspective of the world is hyper-oriented around communications. From his viewpoint, everything from breakfast cereals to people, carry their own brand identity. And, as the father of a child with special needs, he is acutely aware of the differences in how people react to and perceive individuals with disabilities versus the mainstream population.

“When I created Tango for my son, it was not only about creating a simple mode of communication, it was to help Tom build relationships,” said Ellenson. “I wanted him to have a device that would work even before a conversation started…when he identified a person he was interested in knowing, he could ‘initiate’ contact by ‘saying’ something cool – without initially sounding robotic. Of course synthetic voices have gotten better over the years, but to really get emotional juice into a first impression, it makes sense to work toward the common ground – not start off with something that sounds unfamiliar.”

Richard’s unique way of thinking resulted in an Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) device called the Tango. Introduced in 2006, the Tango has changed the lives of thousands of children and teens around the world. Now merged with AAC leader, Dynavox, the Tango continues to enable multiple modes of communication, so kids can interact more like their peers in diverse social situations – whoopee cushion sound effects included.

Now the chief vision officer of Dynavox, Richard’s mission is two-fold: The first is to help cast aside negative branding associated with disabilities and open eyes to the amazing spirits shared by so many with disabilities. Ellenson seeks to plant the seed of understanding that people with disabilities are different, just different, nothing more. The second piece is to increase awareness of and access to AAC devices and the innovations going on at DynaVox.

“Today only one in 20 people who need an augmentative communication device receive one. We believe that every individual should have a device the day they need it. Equally important, in our view, is getting the right device for the right person for the right reason, and we’re creating new products that honor not only the right of people to communicate, but the need for others to find this sort of interaction less challenging, added Ellenson.”

To learn more about the Tango, or other DynaVox communication products, check out dynavoxtech.com

This video introduces viewers to the concept of augmentative and alternative communication and how speech communication devices can help those challenged by significant speech disabilities to speak their minds.

When it comes to beating the odds of physical and cognitive impairment, particularly in young people, RDAA believes that the spirit of hope, love and courage can sometimes wield more power than all the world’s high technology and medical science innovation, combined.

This is where we’ll be sharing what’s on our mind and yours. We’ll be discussing current events, legislation, and breakthroughs that affect the special needs community. Please subscribe to our RSS feed, and keep in touch!