IN THE NEWS

MassNonprofit News – Envisioning Access receives a $50,000 grant from the Boston Foundation through Safety Net Grants

Meet Daniel Steger, Architect and Envisioning Access Board Member

MassNonprofit News – Envisioning Access, formerly known as Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers, has named two new board members, Glenn Gomes-Casseres and Alex James Major, to its board of directors.

ALLSTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — An organization that houses dozens of capuchin monkeys is asking for the public’s help after a recent flooding. Envisioning Access, formerly known as Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers, used to train and provide service monkeys to people living with physical disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and ALS.

Executive Director Diane Nahabedian joins Tommy DiMisa on Philanthropy in Phocus to discuss the work of Envisioning Access, a Boston-based 501c3 that is developing, in conjunction with tech start-ups and universities, innovative technologies like AR/VR, robotics, AI for those living with physical disabilities. Started in 1979, the organization has recently undergone a dynamic transformation from a service animal model to establishing an Innovative Technology Initiative.

At Envisioning Access, we are dedicated to working with individuals living with physical disabilities. Throughout our forty-five-year history, we have seen assistive technology for the disability community adapt and improve as technology and innovation advance. We value the work of the robotics, augmented reality, virtual reality, and AI industries in these efforts. We are excited to work alongside them to develop new technologies to help individuals with physical disabilities live more independent and engaged lives.

At Envisioning Access Inc., a Boston, MA based 501 C3 nonprofit organization founded in 1979, we know that the best person to influence the development of new medical products coming on the market are the individuals who will use them. Envisioning Access, formerly known as Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers, was founded originally to assist those living with physical disabilities by providing trained capuchin monkeys as service animals to assist with daily living needs. We ceased training and placing the capuchin in homes as of 2021 due to regulatory, market, and technology changes.

At Envisioning Access Inc., a Boston, MA based 501 C3 nonprofit organization founded in 1979, we know that the best person to influence the development of new medical products coming on the market are the individuals who will use them. Envisioning Access, formerly known as Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers, was founded originally to assist those living with physical disabilities by providing trained capuchin monkeys as service animals to assist with daily living needs. We ceased training and placing the capuchin in homes as of 2021 due to regulatory, market, and technology changes.

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers is pleased to announce that the organization has changed its name to Envisioning Access, Inc.

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers of Boston, MA has named Jill Rocca and Keith Tomlinson to its Board of Directors as the organization undertakes a dynamic transformation from providing a service animal model — a capuchin monkey — to exploring specific technologies, including robotic and mixed reality to assist those living with mobility disabilities.

Jacqui Cooper speaks with Diane Nahabedian about how a charity focusing on providing service animals to those in need is transitioning to using Robotics & Artificial Intelligence to provide accessibility to those they serve.

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers is a non-profit organization that makes it its mission to improve the quality of life of members of the disabled community. The organization went through a change in 2020 when it moved away from the “Helper Monkeys” model to assist disabled people through technology.

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers doesn’t just abandon its monkey helpers; they are committed to taking care of its post-service monkeys until the end of their natural lives. The monkeys will remain in natural care in the organization’s monkey living center where they have everything they need to live a brilliant life.