Envisioning Access:
About Us
For more than four decades, the mission of Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers—and later Envisioning Access—has always been about creating independence, dignity, and opportunity for people living with physical disabilities. While the methods have evolved over time—from highly trained capuchin helpers to emerging assistive technologies—our core values have never changed.
In recent years, we have been exploring innovative technologies to advance independence and accessibility. Through Envisioning Access, we built valuable partnerships, learned deeply from the disability community, and tested promising tools for the future. That work sharpened our understanding of where we may be able to deliver the most meaningful, sustainable impact.
Our Legacy
of Care
• About the Alison Payne Monkey Living Center
• Our Stories (Coming Soon)
• Our Monkeys (Coming Soon)
Today, we are reaffirming another promise that has been at the heart of our work from the beginning: providing lifelong, compassionate care to the monkeys who served alongside us and changed thousands of lives. Currently, we are focused on our promise: providing exceptional lifelong care for the remarkable monkeys still in service, living in special care homes across the country, and our monkeys being cared for at the Alison Payne Monkey Living Center.
Our Board and a dedicated group of volunteers now oversee the technology side of the organization, ensuring our digital tools and resources continue to serve our community while our staff devote their full attention to the monkeys in our care.
How Can
YOU Help
Your gift, no matter the size, connects you with a mission rooted in over 45 years of dignity and care.
For more than four decades, we’ve worked to improve lives and expand opportunities for people living with physical disabilities — and today, that promise lives on through our commitment to the remarkable monkeys who dedicated their lives to that work.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment as we care for the monkeys who cared for so many, ensuring every one of them lives out their years with the safety, dignity, and love they deserve.