June 13, 2023 | Press Release
Boston, MA: The Board of Directors of what was formerly known as Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers is pleased to announce that the organization has changed their name to Envisioning Access, Inc. Originally founded in 1979 to raise and train capuchin monkeys to provide daily in-home assistance to people living with physical disabilities, Envisioning Access is establishing an Innovative Technology Initiative to build pilot projects that involve their current and new recipients who are expertly advising companies and researchers developing those technologies to assist adults living with disabilities with their daily living needs. Currently, Envisioning Access is focusing on examining different types of assistive robotic technologies and exploring the various uses of augmented, virtual, and mixed reality.
Co-Chair of the board of directors, Susan Keyes explained, “after a thoughtful and careful discussion among board and staff, we decided that even though we were no longer training and placing service animals, our path forward was not to abandon our mission of working with those living with disabilities. We are proud to be known as an organization on the leading edge of implementing ‘non-human’ innovative solutions to people living with disabilities, and now once again we will be leading the way with our innovative technologies.”
Co-Chair of the board of directors, Robert Sanders further adds that “with technology, we can help people in a way that is customized to their unique needs, so that they are more independent and socially connected. Technology also allows us to expand our services to those living with a myriad of physical disabilities. We are also exploring how aging affects the onset of disabilities, and how disability and technology intersect to allow older adults to continue to stay independent.”
According to Diane Nahabedian, executive director of Envisioning Access, “we are excited to be working with tech companies that are developing technologies that will provide accessibility to everyone. Accessibility is the key word. Everyone should be able to live life as they choose and be able to access employment, educational and social opportunities.”
Envisioning Access will not forget its legacy, however. The organization is still caring for 95 post-service capuchin monkeys. The board of directors and staff are committed to caring for each monkey until the end of their natural life.
For more information on Envisioning Access and the work they are undertaking, please visit envisioningaccess.org.
