Makers Making Change

Interested in adaptive gaming? Canadian youth aged 15–30 with a passion for STEM and community impact that are interested in adaptive gaming — this is for you. Apply now for the Clubs That Care Micro-Grant! Swipe to learn more about adaptive gaming and share your ideas and questions in the comments below! Link in Bio. Top Tip: Check out the new adaptive gaming resources under Leader Resources in the Clubs That Care section of our website #ClubsThatCare #MakersMakingChange #NeilSquire #VolunteerImpact #AssistiveTechnology #3DPrint #Makers #Accessibility #AdaptiveGaming

Canadian youth aged 15–30 with a passion for STEM and community impact — this is for you. Apply now for the Clubs That Care Micro-Grant! Swipe to learn more and share your ideas and questions in the comments below! Link in Bio. Top Tip: Check our our Application FAQs and Leader Resources in the Clubs That Care section of our website #ClubsThatCare #MakersMakingChange #NeilSquire #VolunteerImpact #AssistiveTechnology #3DPrint #Makers #Accessibility

Today officially marks our 40th anniversary! We couldn't be more grateful to all of our participants, volunteers, supporters, partners, and everyone who has helped us on our journey to #40YearsOfImpact. When 21-year-old university student Neil Squire was paralyzed in a car accident, his cousin Bill Cameron, an engineer, worked with a small group of volunteers to create a device to help Neil speak. Before long, Bill realized that his mission was bigger than just helping family. When Neil passed away in 1984, a non-profit organization was formed in his name. Forty years later, Bill’s legacy continues, and Neil lives on everyday in the work we do. If you would like to make a donation in celebration of 40 Years of Impact, you can donate here: / (Click on the link in our bio to find our donation page)

Reusable moldable plastic — or thermoplastics — can be used in a variety of applications, even assistive technology. Watch our tutorial (link in bio) for a quick way for gamers with disabilities to customize their gaming joystick or controller. #AdaptiveGaming #DIY #Accessibility

We had a blast adapting bubble blowers with @RBC . Thanks to the volunteer team, all toys will be donated to families and clinicians throughout BC. #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #Volunteering

Ever wanted to learn how to switch-adapt a toy? Join us for our virtual Summer Series on Toy Hacking 101. In Part One, learn the basics of toy adapting, tools required, where to purchase parts & tools, and resources. There will also be an open Q&A and demo. 📅 June 9 at 2pm EST 📍 Virtual (register in bio) Follow us to be the first to know about Part 2! #OccupationalTherapy #SLP #AssistiveTechnology #AdaptedToys

"That feeling of returning to something that they had done before is important." The Access to Technology Consultative Service at the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation and Arthritis Centre in Halifax recently joined us as one of our 11 GAME Checkpoints, allowing them to help more clients access adaptive gaming. “[This] has really bulked up what we're able to provide to people in terms of adaptive gaming,” says occupational therapist Liz Peters. Now, the Centre is fully equipped to serve gamers with disabilities. While they previously had a limited number of devices including an Xbox and Xbox Adaptive Controller, our adaptive gaming team helped them build an inclusive set-up that has something for all needs and preferences. #AdaptiveGaming #VideoGaming #Accessibility #OccupationalTherapy #Arthritis

If you've been thinking about applying for our $3,000 #ClubsThatCare Micro-Grant, this is your sign! 30% of total grants have already been awarded since funding opened last month. If you're thinking of running your club in the Fall, apply now to secure your funding. Application in bio. What You'll Do: 🔧 Purchase 3D printer, tools, and supplies with the $3,000 micro-grant 🔧 Engage 10 volunteers through build events 🔧 Build and deliver 20 assistive devices 🔧Share updates on grant deliveries Eligibility: ✅ Ages 15-30 (inclusive) ✅ Living in Canada ✅ Canadian citizen, PR, or refugee status in Canada ✅ Provide 3 references #CommunityGrants #SocialImpact #Accessibility

Not sure which of the 5 bottle‑opener sizes to 3D print? Grab the sizing chart and work with our volunteers to 3d print your opener (link in bio). #AssistiveTechnology #Accessibility #BottleOpener #KitchenHacks #3dPrint

“It's really important for us, because we're pretty fortunate to be able to do what we do." #NationalVolunteerWeek | Cybertronic Penguinz is a FIRST robotics team located in Calgary, AB. With 10 team members ranging from grade 8 to 10, the team builds robots that compete in competitions across the province. A big part of the club is also about giving back to the community. So, when they learned about the #ClubsThatCare initiative, it made a lot of sense to get involved. “It's really important for us to be able to make sure everybody in the community can have the same privileges as we do.” For their first event, the Cybertronic Penguinz worked together to adapt 10 toys. For their second event, the team opened it up to the public and built 20 switches. Ken, who plans on going into medicine in the future, says he “most definitely” recommends Clubs That Care to other youth leaders who are looking to make a difference, noting that the Makers Making Change team was “very supportive” through the whole process. With 30 devices under their belt, the Cybertronic Penguinz are just getting started, with the club planning to do more device builds when the robotics season ends. #STEM #Volunteering #Robotics

Catch up with episode 12 of MMC Live, a monthly live stream where we will share resources and projects, exciting updates in our community, and much more. This episode celebrates #NationalVolunteerWeek! Join Shanelle and Courtney as they discuss our exciting milestone of hitting 25,000 devices delivered! We will also highlight our #ClubsThatCare program and share updates from club leaders about their experience.

Volunteers make the work that we do possible. This National Volunteer Week, we want to celebrate all of the volunteers that give their time and skills to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with Canadians with disabilities in our Computer Comfort and Distance Computer Comfort programs helping them learn vital digital skills, whether they’re needed for employment, to gain independence, or simply to live life to the fullest. Through our Makers Making Change program, volunteers have helped us deliver over 27,000 devices to persons with disabilities around the world. In build events, corporate volunteers, students, and people from all walks of life build switches and adapt toys that often are donated to children with disabilities and their families, and clinics across Canada — for many kids, it’s the first time they are able to play independently. “I want to thank our volunteers for the time and care they give. The support they provide makes a real difference for Canadians with disabilities. Programs like Distance Computer Comfort and Computer Comfort would not exist without their time, skill, and commitment,” says Gordon Watt, our Distance Training Coordinator leading our Distance Computer Comfort program. Read the full story by going to the “Latest News” link in our bio. #NeilSquire #NationalVolunteerWeek #NVW2026 #IgniteVolunteerism