ADAPT Community Network Opens Smart Living Center, Bringing Accessible and Adaptive Technology to Life in a Real-World Home Setting

New Bronx Center connects people with disabilities, families, technology innovators, government, academia, and community partners around solutions that advance independence.

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, ADAPT Community Network hosted an Open House and Resource Expo to celebrate the Grand Opening of its Smart Living Center, a home-like environment designed to help people experience, understand and explore accessible and home-enabling technologies that support greater independence, safety, and participation in community life.

"The Smart Living Center reflects both ADAPT's history and our future. For decades, we have invested in adaptive technology and have seen how pairing the right technology with the right support can transform possibilities through greater choice and independence. The Smart Living Center allows people to experience these possibilities in a setting that feels like home, while creating a collaborative space where families, providers, innovators, researchers, and policymakers can learn from one another" shared Jenna Mandel-Ricci, Chief Executive Officer of ADAPT Community Network.

Thursday's event included formal remarks, timed tours of the Smart Living Center, and a Resource Expo showcasing adaptive technology and other supports for individuals with disabilities. The program included a panel discussion titled: Adaptive Technology Progress and Innovation through Partnership featuring Chris Maher, Founder, Samaritan Partners; Brian Hart, Chief Executive Officer, ShiftAbility; James Kaufman, Deputy Commissioner of Policy and Program Development, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities; and AnnMarie Thomas, Self-Advocate with ADAPT Community Network.

Corporate sponsors included We Hear You, Prolo, MapHabit, Smart Hygiene, Xander, Noss, and Baketivity.

The Smart Living Center builds on ADAPT Community Network's longstanding work in assistive and adaptive technology and will remain active well beyond opening day. Following yesterday's launch, individuals, families, providers and partners will have the opportunity to access the Center through routine tours and special events. ADAPT will also use the space to create opportunities for deep collaboration among technology companies, researchers, funders and public-sector partners to catalyze access, education, evaluation and innovation. Learn more about the impact of the Smart Living Center here.

"I am grateful to ADAPT for using technology to assist persons with disabilities in their daily lives to be more independent" shared AnnMarie Thomas, Self Advocate at ADAPT Community Network.

To schedule a private tour, contact Ronak Parikh at [email protected].

ADAPT Community Network is a leading human services not‐for‐profit and a pioneer in providing cutting‐edge programs and services for people with disabilities. Every day, we build a more inclusive world for thousands of New Yorkers through education, technology, healthcare services, residential, and recreational programs across New York City and in the Hudson Valley. ADAPT's 100 comprehensive programs serve over 20,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families.

SOURCE ADAPT Community Network