{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}} {{distinguish|adaptive web design}} {{infobox organization | name = Adaptive Design Association, Inc. | image = Adaptive_design_association_logo.jpg | image_border = | image_size = 150px | caption = | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | abbreviation = ADA | formation = {{start date|2001}} | extinction = | type = 501(c)(3) | status = | purpose = | headquarters = | location = New York, New York, USA | region_served = | membership = | language = | leader_title = Founder | leader_name = Alex Truesdell | leader_title2 = Executive Director | leader_name2 = Jennifer Hercman | main_organ = | parent_organization = | affiliations = | num_staff = | num_volunteers = | budget = | website = {{URL|https://www.adaptivedesign.org/}} | remarks = }} The '''Adaptive Design Association, Inc.''' ('''ADA''') is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2001 responsible for creating custom child-specific adaptations for children with disabilities.
==Overview== The Adaptive Design Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization which creates custom adaptations for children with disabilities. Its work is based in part on the Adaptive Design work at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hendrickson|first=Callista|title=Building on Possibilities|url=http://occupational-therapy.advanceweb.com/Article/Building-on-Possibilities-1.aspx|accessdate=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221182422/http://occupational-therapy.advanceweb.com/Article/Building-on-Possibilities-1.aspx|archive-date=21 February 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Perkins- Assistive Device Center |url=http://www.perkins.org/inside-perkins/assistive-device-center/.aspx |accessdate=17 January 2013 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The group utilizes tri-wall cardboard and other sustainable materials to meet children's equipment needs. Products include tangible symbol cues, customized positioning systems, and customized work surfaces.
The ADA also trains occupational and physical therapists in making adaptive design.<ref>{{cite news|last=Luce|first=Jim|title=NYC Adaptive Design Group for Special Needs Kids Set to Expand Globally|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-luce/adaptive-design-group-special-needs-kids_b_811234.html |accessdate= 17 January 2013|work=Huffington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Grants That Work: The Adaptive Design Association|url=http://www.nycommunitytrust.org/Multimedia/GrantsatWorkVideoAdaptiveDesignAssociation/tabid/709/Default.aspx |accessdate= 17 January 2013}}</ref> The ADA is a community partner of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville/Yonkers, New York.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sarah Lawrence College Community Partners |url=http://www.slc.edu/studentlife/community-partnerships/Community_Partners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127083259/http://www.slc.edu/studentlife/community-partnerships/Community_Partners.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2011 |accessdate=21 January 2013 }}</ref>
==History== MacArthur Fellow Alex Truesdell founded the organization in 2001<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Services: Case Studies: Adaptive Design Association|url=http://www.crenyc.org/case-studies/adaptive-design-association|accessdate=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119232959/http://www.crenyc.org/case-studies/adaptive-design-association|archive-date=19 November 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> after founding and coordinating the Assistive Device Center at Perkins School For the Blind. {{As of| 2013}} she is the ADA's executive director.<ref>{{cite web|last=Robbins|first=Tom|title=A Thanksgiving NYC Honor Roll for Hard Times|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-11-26/columns/a-thanksgiving-nyc-honor-roll-for-hard-times/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220093128/http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-11-26/columns/a-thanksgiving-nyc-honor-roll-for-hard-times/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2008|publisher=villagevoice.com|accessdate= 21 January 2013 }}</ref>
The ADA was featured in the 2009 short documentary ''Among the Giants'' by Cory Tomascoff.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shannon |first=Helen |title=The Board Discovers the Adaptability of Cardboard |url=http://tipitapa.org/2012/09/the-board-discovers-the-adaptability-of-cardboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406044059/http://tipitapa.org/2012/09/the-board-discovers-the-adaptability-of-cardboard/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2016 |accessdate=17 January 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Among the Giants |url=http://columbus.reelabilities.org/films/view/among-the-giants |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908152609/http://columbus.reelabilities.org/films/view/among-the-giants |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 September 2015 |accessdate=17 January 2013 }}</ref> It was also featured in a 2013 short film titled ''A World of Difference With Cardboard''.<ref>{{cite web|title=DoGooder Video Awards|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/nonprofitvideoawards}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== *Campell, Molly and Truesdell, A. (2000). Creative constructions: Technologies that make adaptive design accessible, affordable, inclusive and fun. *Packer, B. (1995). Appropriate Paper-Based Technology (APT): A Manual. Practical Action.
==External links== *[https://www.adaptivedesign.org Adaptive Design Association Official Website]
Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City Category:Disability organizations based in the United States Category:501(c)(3) organizations Category:Disability organizations based in New York (state)