July 26, 2025

As the Envisioning Access team continues to meet new people and share our mission, one theme comes up again and again—gratitude. Whether we’re connecting with tech startups, university researchers, professionals living with disabilities, or families navigating care for loved ones, we always talk about how fortunate we are to have you—our supporters. Your belief in our work makes everything possible.

Every time we meet someone who shares how technology is helping them succeed at work, or hear stories of students with disabilities returning to school to pursue higher education, we are reminded of what’s at stake. Access to the right tools can mean the difference between isolation and opportunity. The technologies we help develop can alleviate the fear of poverty, open the door to independence, and allow people to engage fully with their communities. That’s the work we do every day at Envisioning Access—and your support fuels it.

This month, we pause to honor two milestones that remind us how far we’ve come—and how far we still must go. July marks the 60th anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare, and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA is a cornerstone of civil rights legislation, protecting people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, education, transportation, public accommodations, and government services.

As a Boston-based organization, we’re proud that Boston hosted the first Disability Pride Parade in 1990, the same year the ADA was signed. That event was not just a celebration—it was a public affirmation of disability identity, resilience, and visibility. In 2015, July was officially recognized as Disability Pride Month, a time to honor the history, accomplishments, and ongoing challenges of the disability community.

The ADA was the result of tireless advocacy by people with disabilities who demanded change and broke down barriers. We must never take its protections for granted—and we must continue working to ensure that its promise of accessibility is realized in every aspect of life.

Thank you for standing with us as we advocate, innovate, and build a more inclusive future. Together, we’re not just imagining access—we’re creating it.

25 for 25—Honoring Alison Payne for

25 Years of Dedication and Love.

25 years ago this week, Alison Payne walked through the doors of the Monkey Living Center for the first time as a full-time employee. The rest is history!

In the third grade, Alison decided that she would work with monkeys or apes someday. Throughout her education, she volunteered at pet clinics, an avian nursery, and Zoo New England, and has always loved learning more about different animals. At Boston University, where Alison received her bachelor’s degree, she focused her studies in cognitive and learning psychology and animal behavior. During her senior year, Alison began volunteering at Envisioning Access and was thrilled to begin a full-time job upon graduation.

Today, as Director of Monkey Care, Alison oversees the health and well-being of each and every monkey in the Envisioning Access program. She considers the monkeys to be part of her family and strives to give them love and support.

What better way to celebrate 25 years at Envisioning Access than to raise $25,000 in honor of Alison. Join us in celebrating her many years of love and dedication!

Honor Alison Today

Disability Corner

Artist Lucy Jones sits in front of one of her self portraits

‘They get more confrontational’: A painter’s self-portraits capture life, and art, with cerebral palsy through the years

There’s a sardonic edge slicing through the work of Lucy Jones. The title of her 2018 piece “With a Handicap like Yours…”, is lifted verbatim from a conversation Jones once had with a doctor who, after Jones complained of her lack of dexterity, was reluctant to give the artist physiotherapy for her hand. In Jones’ mind, the phrase also translated to ‘What do you expect?’

“He was a lovely doctor, I’m not criticizing,” she conceded. “But it was an old-fashioned expression. I wanted to poke that a little bit. (My art) gets more and more confrontational because I want to comment to the world and make them think about disability and different types of disability,” she said.

Woman in the Forest in Yoga Gear Wearing a VR Headset

This Virtual Forest Calms Your Brain – No Hiking Required

Scientists found that virtual forest experiences using sight, sound, and scent offer measurable mood and memory boosts, especially when all senses are activated at once.

In Japan, the practice of Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing, is already used for therapeutic purposes such as reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. In this study, the researchers set out to explore whether a similar benefit could be achieved through virtual exposure to nature, and whether the impact would be greater when more than one sense was stimulated at the same time.

"Disability Isn’t the Problem." Inaccessibility Is"

A 35-year Reflection on the ADA with Serjio Brereda

As we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) today, we wanted to reflect not just on the policy, but on its lived impact. At Envisioning Access, we believe it’s vital to center the voices of those directly affected by disability policy, especially when envisioning the future.

To help guide that reflection, I sat down with Serjio Brereda, our Fund Development Manager, for a conversation on how the ADA has shaped his life, identity, and vision for what comes next.

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We’re Teeing Up Something Big—And You’re Invited!

The Envisioning Access Golf Classic

Thursday, October 2, 2025 | Pinehills Golf Club, Plymouth, MA

Get ready—planning is in full swing for our very first golf tournament, and we’d love for you to be part of it!

Join us for a day of golf, good vibes, and great company at the beautiful Pinehills Golf Club. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just in it for the fun, this is a perfect chance to connect, give back, and enjoy the outdoors.

Why come?
Because it's not just about golf. It’s about: