A pioneering Bethel team designs and modifies low-cost assistive devices using 3D printing, empowering individuals with disabilities through hands-on collaboration.
In Bethel, Connecticut, a group of young adults is redefining how technology serves people with disabilities. The TIP Squad, short for Technology Innovations for Peers, operates under Ability Beyond, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. What makes this team unique is its approach: the very people who face daily challenges are the ones designing and building the solutions.
Laurie Dale, the senior leader of assistive technology solutions at Ability Beyond, spearheads the initiative. She emphasizes the importance of involving end users in the creation process. “It’s not just about making technology for them,” Dale explains. “It’s about empowering them to make it themselves.” This philosophy has led to breakthroughs in communication aids, mobility tools, and adaptive gaming devices, all crafted with affordability in mind.
The squad’s toolkit includes 3D printers, open-source software, and inexpensive components. For example, a $15 gaming controller can be adapted for switch access with just $1.50 in modifications. Dale notes that these small changes have life-altering impacts. “A button or switch can turn a device from unusable to fully accessible,” she says. “It’s about removing barriers in the simplest, most effective way.”
One of the squad’s standout members is Mike Montgomery, who tests and refines assistive technologies. His work with tools like eye-tracking systems and voice recognition apps has helped him and others overcome communication hurdles. “These technologies bridge gaps,” Montgomery says. “They give us independence.”
Leaning over technical drawings, TIP Squad member Nichole Bernal carefully considers the specifications for a new adaptive device – part of Ability Beyond’s groundbreaking program that trains young adults with disabilities to become creators of assistive solutions through 3D printing technology. (Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Bethel, Conn. Photo credit: Hearst Connecticut Media)
Funding from Verizon has been instrumental in expanding the program, but the real success lies in the skills participants gain. Beyond technical expertise like soldering and 3D modeling, squad members develop workplace readiness teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. The program doubles as a training ground for future employment, with members wearing uniforms and adhering to a structured schedule.
The TIP Squad also tackles a lesser-known hurdle: poorly designed instructions. Many DIY guides for assistive tech are overly complex, so the team is creating clearer, visual-based directions. “If we can’t follow the steps, how can anyone else?” Dale says. Their goal is to democratize innovation, making it easier for others to replicate their work.
Jane Davis, president and CEO of Ability Beyond, sees the squad as a model for the broader disability community. “This isn’t just about Bethel,” Davis says. “It’s about showing what’s possible when you combine technology with inclusion.”
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As the TIP Squad grows, its members are proving that cutting-edge solutions don’t require deep pockets just creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to listening to those who know the challenges best. Their work is a testament to how small adaptations can create monumental change, one 3D-printed piece at a time.
