activities · 24
what they do
direct service · 20
- Adapted Art Day Community Art Classes and WorkshopsOrganizes an "Art Day" for children with varying abilities, adapting art equipment to ensure participation by all physical abilities.
- Adapted Art Events Community Art Classes and WorkshopsHolds "Art Day" events for children with varying abilities, adapting art equipment to allow participation by all physical abilities.
- Adapted Art Events Community Art Classes and WorkshopsHolds "Art Day" events for children with varying abilities, adapting art equipment to ensure participation by all physical abilities.
- Adapted Car Events (Roller Derby / Rock and Roll On)Organizes annual events like the Roller Derby and "Rock and Roll On" where cars are adapted with modifications such as seating changes and switch-accessible power for children with disabilities, often in collaboration with high school robotics teams.
- Adapted Car Events (Roller Derby)Organizes an annual Roller Derby event where cars are adapted with modifications such as seating changes and switch-accessible power for children with disabilities, often in collaboration with high school robotics teams.
- Adapted Car Events (Roller Derby/Rock and Roll On)Organizes annual events like the Roller Derby and "Rock and Roll On" where cars are adapted with modifications such as seating changes and switch-accessible power for children with disabilities, often in collaboration with high school robotics teams.
- Adapted Car Programs (Roller Derby/Rock and Roll On)Adapts derby cars and power wheels with modifications such as seating changes and switch accessible power for children with disabilities, organizing annual Roller Derby events where children receive and navigate these adapted cars.
- Adapted Toy Giveaways Holiday Food and Gift DistributionDistributes adapted toys with switches to children with physical motor limitations, typically through an annual event called Believe Festival or a switch and toy giveaway, distributing around 50 toys each November.
- Adapted Toy Giveaways Holiday Food and Gift DistributionDistributes adapted toys, including switch-adapted toys and ability switches, to children with physical motor limitations through an annual event known as the Believe Festival, typically held in December.
- Adapted Toy Giveaways (Believe Festival) Holiday Food and Gift DistributionHosts an annual Adapted Toy Giveaway, also known as Believe Festival, distributing adapted toys with switches to children with physical motor limitations who cannot play with traditional toys.
- Annual Charity Golf Tournament Golf Tournament FundraisingOrganizes an annual charity golf tournament as its primary fundraiser to support operations and community events.
- Assistive Technology Evaluation and Provision Adaptive Equipment ProvisionEvaluates individuals with multiple disabilities to determine and provide appropriate assistive technology, including facilitating the acquisition of assistive equipment and implementing switch access solutions for devices like iPads.
- Assistive Technology Evaluation and Provision Adaptive Equipment ProvisionEvaluates, determines, and provides assistive technology to individuals with multiple disabilities, including facilitating the acquisition of assistive equipment and implementing switch access solutions for devices like iPads.
- Assistive Technology Kit Lending and Consultation Adaptive Equipment ProvisionProvides Alternative Access Kits for therapists to check out and offers virtual consultation sessions to review equipment, discuss purposes, and implementation methods for assistive technology.
- Assistive Technology Kit Lending and Consultation Adaptive Equipment ProvisionProvides Alternative Access Kits for therapists to check out, allowing them to try various pieces of assistive technology with clients, and offers virtual consultation sessions to review equipment and implementation methods.
- Assistive Technology Kit Lending and Consultation Adaptive Equipment ProvisionProvides Alternative Access Kits for therapists to check out, allowing them to try various pieces of assistive technology with clients, and conducts virtual consultation sessions to review equipment and implementation methods.
- Communication Skill DevelopmentUtilizes single message buttons to teach head movements for "yes" and "no" responses, providing training to family and school staff for continuity of care.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Giveaways Medical Cost & Equipment AssistanceDistributes donated durable medical equipment for free at giveaway events, typically 1-2 times per year, with professional fitting provided by volunteer therapists.
- Power Wheelchair Provision Adaptive Equipment ProvisionProvides power wheelchairs to children with mobility challenges, facilitating independent mobility.
- Provision of Power Wheelchairs Adaptive Equipment ProvisionProvides power wheelchairs to children with mobility challenges, facilitating independent mobility.
capacity building · 4
- Assistive Technology Training and Education Assistive Technology Training & WorkshopsHosts conferences and provides training for professionals, parents, and students on assistive technology implementation strategies, including in-depth training for therapists and evaluators.
- Assistive Technology Training and Education Assistive Technology Training & WorkshopsHosts conferences and one-day trainings for professionals, parents, and students on assistive technology implementation strategies, offering CEUs, and provides training to family and school staff on assistive device usage.
- Professional Training and Conferences Assistive Technology Training & WorkshopsHosts and organizes one-day conferences and in-depth training sessions for professionals, parents, and students on topics such as assistive technology implementation strategies and mobility evaluation, often offering CEUs.
- Professional Training and Conferences Assistive Technology Training & WorkshopsHosts conferences and provides training for professionals, parents, and students on assistive technology implementation strategies, offering CEUs, and organizes in-depth training for therapists and evaluators.
strategies · 27
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Adaptive equipment design for inclusive play and movement adaptive_playModifies equipment such as derby cars and gaming systems to enable children with disabilities to participate in play, sports, and recreational activities, promoting physical engagement and social inclusion.
- Adaptive play and equipment for participation adaptive_playThe organization adapts equipment and creates opportunities, such as adapted derby cars, to enable children with disabilities to engage in play and movement, fostering participation despite varying physical abilities.
- Adaptive play and equipment for participation adaptive_play_and_equipmentThe organization adapts equipment and creates opportunities for adaptive play, such as adapted derby cars, to enable individuals with varying physical abilities to engage in movement and participate.
- Annual fundraising through community events annual_fundraising_eventGenerates financial support through recurring community-based events like charity golf tournaments, leveraging local engagement to sustain operations.
- Assistive Technology (AT) Integration for Independence assistive_technology_integrationThe organization focuses on integrating assistive technology, such as AAC apps, switches, smart speakers, and Bluetooth interfaces, to help individuals with disabilities control their environment, communicate, and gain independence in home and school settings. This includes early intervention and adapting equipment for participation.
- Assistive technology for independence and environmental control assistive_technology_integrationThe organization focuses on integrating and providing assistive technology, such as AAC apps, switches, and smart speakers, to help individuals with disabilities control their environment, make choices, access communication, mobility, and play, and increase their independence in home and school settings.
- Assistive technology integration for environmental control and communication assistive technology_integrationUses assistive technologies—including switches, AAC apps, smart home interfaces, and adaptive devices—to enable individuals with disabilities to communicate, control their environment, and gain independence in daily activities.
- Assistive technology integration for independence assistive_technology_integrationThe organization focuses on integrating assistive technology, such as AAC apps, switches, and smart speakers, to help individuals with disabilities control their environment, make choices, communicate, and increase their independence in home and school settings.
- Cause-and-Effect Access Training cause_and_effect_access_trainingThe organization uses intentional movement and cause-and-effect interactions as foundational access methods to help individuals engage with their environment.
- Cause-and-effect foundational access training cause-and-effect_access_trainingTeaches individuals to interact with their environment through intentional movement and cause-and-effect learning, establishing a foundational skill set for using assistive technology.
- Collaborative and Innovative Problem Solving innovative_and_collaborative_problem_solvingThe organization employs a creative and innovative problem-solving approach, embracing an "I don't know YET" mindset for complex physical needs. It utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, valuing all ideas, and collaborates closely with caregivers and families, recognizing their inherent knowledge and skills.
- Community-sourced DME distribution with clinical oversight community_sourced_distribution_with_clinical_supportProvides durable medical equipment through community donations while ensuring safety, fit, and usability via volunteer clinical professionals such as occupational and speech therapists, combining grassroots resource generation with expert validation.
- Community-sourced and clinically-supported Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provision community_sourced_distribution_with_clinical_supportThe organization provides durable medical equipment through community donations, ensuring proper fit and usability through volunteer clinical professionals to meet individual needs.
- Community-sourced and clinically-supported durable medical equipment distribution community_sourced_distribution_with_clinical_supportThe organization provides durable medical equipment by collecting community-donated items and ensures their proper fit and usability through the expertise of volunteer clinical professionals.
- Early intervention and therapist capacity building in assistive technology assistive_technology_early_intervention_and_capacity_buildingFocuses on early introduction of assistive technology for children birth to 8 and builds therapist competence through hands-on training and virtual consultations to expand access and effective implementation.
- Early intervention with assistive technology assistive_technology_early_interventionThe organization focuses on early intervention with assistive technology for young children, addressing key areas like parent buy-in, seating, switch access, alternative communication, and independent mobility, and provides hands-on experience with equipment.
- Family-centered collaboration family_centered_collaborationThe organization collaborates closely with caregivers and families, entering homes with the intent to team up rather than establish an "expert/non-expert" dynamic, recognizing families' inherent knowledge and skills.
- Family-centered, interdisciplinary collaboration in assistive technology services interdisciplinary_and_family_centered_collaborationPartners with families as co-leaders in the assistive technology process and fosters interdisciplinary teamwork across professional disciplines to tailor solutions that reflect both clinical expertise and lived experience.
- Innovative problem-solving for complex needs innovative_problem_solvingThe organization employs a creative and innovative problem-solving approach, embracing a mindset of "I don't know YET" rather than "no" when seeking solutions for individuals with complex physical needs.
- Innovative problem-solving for complex physical needs innovative_problem_solvingThe organization employs a creative and innovative problem-solving approach, embracing a mindset of "I don't know YET" rather than "no" when seeking solutions for individuals with complex physical needs.
- Innovative, solution-focused approach to complex accessibility challenges innovative_problem_solvingApplies creative problem-solving to overcome barriers for individuals with complex physical needs, emphasizing persistence, adaptability, and a mindset of “I don’t know yet” over immediate limitations.
- Professional Expertise and Capacity Building for Assistive Technology professional_expertise_and_capacity_buildingThe organization leverages the expertise of Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists on its board to guide adaptations and recommendations. It also aims to prepare therapists to efficiently and accurately implement assistive technology through virtual consultations and educational events.
- Professional and interdisciplinary collaboration for assistive technology solutions interdisciplinary_collaborationThe organization utilizes the expertise of Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, and fosters an interdisciplinary collaborative approach, valuing all ideas to determine and implement assistive technology solutions and adaptations for individuals with complex physical needs.
- Professional and interdisciplinary collaboration for assistive technology solutions interdisciplinary_collaborationThe organization utilizes the expertise of Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, and adopts a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, valuing all ideas to determine and implement assistive technology solutions and car adaptations for individuals with complex physical needs.
- Story-based community engagement story_based_community_engagementStrengthens community connections and advocacy by centering the voices and personal stories of individuals directly impacted by disability and assistive technology services.
- Therapist capacity building and access to assistive technology therapist_capacity_buildingThe organization aims to increase therapists' capacity to implement assistive technology efficiently and accurately through virtual consultations, and provides access to various pieces of assistive technology for therapists to try, thereby increasing client access to communication, mobility, and play.
- Therapist capacity building in assistive technology therapist_capacity_buildingThe organization aims to prepare therapists to implement assistive technology with efficiency and accuracy through virtual consultations and provides hands-on experience with equipment, particularly focusing on early intervention for children.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Adapted Toy Distribution
Provides 50 switch-adapted toys annually to children during the holiday season to promote early independence
Assistive Technology for Communication
Implements switch access, eye gaze devices, and AAC systems like GoTalkNOW to enable communication for non-verbal individuals
Power Wheels Mobility Program
Adapts power wheels for children with disabilities using switches and custom seating; includes annual Roller Derby event for participants
Powered Mobility Training
Trains children with disabilities to use power wheelchairs using motivation-based strategies and environmental setup
relationships · 20
who they work with
- Ability360 Partner — Hosted the Believe Festival in Phoenix.
- Adaptive Switch Lab (ASL) Partner — Attended training in Austin to learn about powered mobility and later brought ASL to Arizona for a one-day training session.
- Advanced Therapy Solutions Partner — Provided a venue for the "Rock and Roll On" event.
- Amazon Partner — Suggests shopping for Alexa devices on Amazon.
- Anthon McLaws Partner — Collaborates with to learn how to adapt popular toys.
- Ben Ritchie Partner — Collaborates with to learn how to adapt popular toys.
- Brenda Del Monte Partner — Speech-language pathologist who helped Santana develop cause-and-effect skills for environmental control
- Facebook Partner — Platform used to share updates about DME giveaway events
- Gye Di Partner — Melanie Thompson, co-founder of Believe Beyond Ability, also helped begin this non-profit organization.
- Inclusive TLC Partner — Recommends iClick and APPlicator products sold by Inclusive TLC.
- Instagram Partner — Platform used to share updates about DME giveaway events
- Keyguard Assistive Technology Partner — Recommends Keyguard Assistive Technology for customized keyguards for communication apps on iPads.
- Kohl's Department Store Partner — Sent volunteers for the "Rock and Roll On" event.
- Melanie Conatser Partner — Occupational therapist who worked with Santana Black to develop intentional movement as an access method
- Melanie Conatser Partner — Occupational therapist who worked with Santana Black to develop intentional movement.
- Seton High School Partner — Collaborated with their robotics team to adapt power wheels for children with mobility challenges.
- Seton High School Robotics Team Partner — Adapted cars for the "Rock and Roll On" event.
- Suzy Foundations Partner — Participated in Suzy Foundations' Holiday Boutique for a switch and toy giveaway.
- Technically Speaking AAC YouTube Channel Partner — Refers users to the Technically Speaking AAC YouTube Channel for information on utilizing assistive technology, including switch access, eyegaze communication, and literacy.
- community businesses Partner — Donated items to the raffle at the annual charity golf tournament.