Category Archives: adventure

Santa’s Little Hacker Helpers

Nick and the AiA team have discovered a most awesome “accessibility” group here in Colorado.  In fact, so amazing is this group that they delivered Despicable Me Fart Blastersfartblaster to them for conversion therapy of a sort.  The group is called Santa’s Little Hackers and you all need to know what they do!  As you can see, the toy has a trigger.  People with Nick’s abilities cannot manipulate that trigger.

The mom and dad of one young man, Max, decided that Max should have a way to play with toys despite his motor-coordination challenge.  Mom asked dad to take a toy and wire a proper switch that Max could actually operate.  Without the switch, max apparently could not play with the toy as other children do.  This kind of play helps children develop eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills, and cognitive understanding of the the idea that when you push a button, something happens.  Interestingly, this kind of play also helps those who use speech devices so they can operate the device and develop language as well.  Here’s the video story of Max and his family, and how they came to be the Santa’s Little Hackers nonprofit:  “Colorado-based Santa’s Little Hackers bringing smiles to the faces of kids with special needs

Mission undertaken by Nick and the AiA team – we located some Fart Blasters and met up with Renee and Pasqual for the handoff, members of  The “Santa’s Little Hackers” team preparing for the Saturday hack-a-thon to turn 1400 regular toys into adaptive toys.

We have not heard yet heard about the turn out at the Saturday event, but we do know that this non-profit is one of the sparks of inspiration that we consider Awesome in Action and we think they are a great option for December 6th Colorado Gives Day!!  colorado-gives-day-2016

Teachers, Invite Nick to your Class for an Experiential Learning Day on Disability Awareness!

IMGP2460Speaking season is upon us and after a crazy summer, Nick is ready to get back to the classrooms.  Contact the AiA team today to schedule him for your class.  Experience an
obstacle course from atop a wheelchair, try your voice from Nick’s speech device, and learn valuable disability etiquette with his “Walk in My Shoes” talk.  

KIMG3665Or, find your inner hero and create an alter ego, then take photos in the awesome superhero-themed backdrop during Nick’s newest talk, “Anyone can be a Hero”.  

Check out Nick’s full line-up and schedule today.  nicks-presentation-handout-4-presentations-teachersredesignfinal2-3test-2