Envisioning Access - Our History
1979-2020
Envisioning Access, originally known as Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, Inc., was founded to raise and train capuchin monkeys to provide daily in-home assistance to people living with spinal cord injury or other mobility impairments.
To learn more, go to The Past
View our Timeline
Envisioning Access - Today
Our Current Work
The mission of our organization is not changing. From its inception our founders envisioned access for all. We hold to this mission today by continuing our work and finding solutions so we may provide enhanced quality of life and opportunities for individuals living with physical disabilities.
As a result, we are transitioning from a service animal model to exploring innovative technologies so we become the disability community’s convening organization and premier conduit to technology partners that will provide an improved quality of life for those living with physical disabilities. We are examining different types of assistive robotic technologies and exploring the various uses of augmented/virtual reality, and how these technologies can assist those living with physical disabilities by helping meet their socialization, mental health and other health care needs. We are building pilot projects in both the areas of assistive tech/robotics and augmented/virtual reality with the input of the populations that will most benefit from the technologies, as well as scientists from universities and companies. Additionally, we will never forget our service animals, so we are providing a safe, healthy, fulfilling environment for post-service and medically challenged monkeys for the rest of their lives.
To learn more, go to The Present
To support our ongoing efforts, go to Support Us
Envisioning Access - Our Future
Innovative Technology Initiative
Envisioning Access is developing an Innovative Technology Initiative to develop pilot projects that will involve Envisioning Access, recipients who can expertly advise on technologies that will assist them in living with physical disabilities, and companies and/or researchers developing the technologies. The Innovative Technology Initiative (ITI) will stay true to our organization’s original mission and provide resources to those who most need them. The ITI will stay in touch with recipients so that the technology is used continuously and appropriately once it is developed.
To learn more, go to The Future
Time to Meet Our Monkeys!
The post-service monkeys living at the Monkey Living Center each have distinct personalities, favorite toys or activities, food preferences, bathing routines, and social behaviors.
Koko LOVES mirrors. She flirts with her own reflection like she is the most beautiful monkey she has ever seen. She does have some of the most amazing tufts on her head!
Nicky is not afraid of anything! In fact, when we got a Roomba at The Monkey Living Center, he was the first monkey to go up to it and press all the buttons to make it go!
Dippy adores her baths. She will sit comfortably under the faucet and let someone wash and rinse her. At the end of this little performance, Dippy gets oatmeal—her favorite treat!
This is just a sampling of the characteristics and behaviors we encounter every day. For more stories about our amazing capuchins go to Meet Our Monkeys.
Accessible Fencing in conjunction with the Boston Fencing Club has been POSTPONED.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been postponed. We will update when it has been rescheduled.
Volunteer Opportunities
Envisioning Access is actively looking for talented people to join our Development Committee and/or our Board of Directors.