Regardless of ability, ADAPT Community Network empowers the individuals we support to experiment with a wide range of artistic pursuits. Not all the individuals in our programs can stand in front of an easel or hold a paintbrush, but ADAPT’s Laser Painting Program uses technology to help them put their creative visions on paper.
ADAPT supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and so many of the individuals we support have limited mobility. As an alternative to a paintbrush, our painting facilitator, Deborah Dawson, uses adaptive laser technology. Individuals use a headband or hand adaption to point the laser’s red dot on a canvas where they’d like a brushstroke, and Deborah follows the laser dot with the individual’s choice of brush size and color. What results is a variety of vibrant, abstract paintings from the minds of the individuals we support.
Deborah has been developing the art of laser painting for ten years and has been working with ADAPT for three of those years. She originally founded the Laser Painting Program with the head of the Arts for D75 schools, Kathy London, and has worked tirelessly to bring her program to children and adults with disabilities around New York City.
“They feel a sense of accomplishment they would not have ordinarily,” Deborah said of her collaboration with the people we support. “Through laser they have the freedom of mobility to explore this process.”
Yudelka Matta, the Director of Bronx Day Habilitation 2, has seen a huge difference in the individuals in her program since Deborah began to work with them.
“Some individuals are naturally shy, but with Deb they flourish–they come out of their shell,” Yudelka said. “This program empowers people, brings them out of the shadow and makes them shine. They can’t always use words, but you see it in their faces and in their art–they light up, it’s magic.”
The Laser Painting Program came to visit ADAPT thanks to funding from grants and from our donors. More funding would not only allow us to expand our program, but would also allow the artists to explore ways to display and possibly sell their paintings.
“Funding buys adaptive equipment, paint, canvases, and framing materials” Deborah said. “With more funding, we will be able to bring this to more individuals who might not ordinarily get the opportunity to create such beautiful, abstract paintings that they could display or sell.”
By donating to ADAPT Community Network, we can continue bringing accessible painting to the people we support. If you are interested in making a contribution of any amount, please visit bit.ly/ADAPTDonate. We thank you greatly for your support.
