BURNABY, June 4th, 2026 – Ten years ago, non-profit organization and Canadian leader in assistive technology, Neil Squire Society launched their Makers Making Change (new window) program which brings together community based makers and volunteers to create affordable, open‑source assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

 

 

What started out as a small team developing a single assistive device, the LipSync (new window) to help people with disabilities use their phones and computers, has grown into a national program with international reach. Today, the Makers Making Change assistive device library (new window) contains over 200 devices, where anyone can download the files and build the designs. They have delivered over 30,000 devices to persons with disabilities and have engaged 45,000 volunteers.

“As we were developing and implementing our open-source LipSync, the community began asking if we could 3D print other assistive technologies,” says Gary Birch, Executive Director of the Neil Squire Society. “Before long, the work grew into what it is today. There continues to be a strong need for low‑cost, open‑source solutions.”

According to Statistics Canada, 80% of people living with a disability use an assistive device to increase their independence, and 27% need at least one more. Cost is often cited as the main barrier. Volunteer-made assistive technology can help bridge the gap, and that’s where Makers Making Change comes in. Watch the video: What is Makers Making Change (new window).

Some people use these assistive devices to work (new window). It may make an everyday task (new window) that much easier. For others, it allows them to follow their creative passions (new window), or even just play games (new window) with their friends and family. For many kids with disabilities, the adapted toys they received through the Hacking for the Holidays (new window) campaign was the first time they were able to play independently. The common theme is that Makers Making Change devices allow people with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest.

Over the past decade, Makers Making Change has:

• Delivered over 30,000 Assistive Technology devices to people with disabilities
• Engaged 45,000 volunteers (including 25,000 youth volunteers, who learn hands-on STEM skills while giving back to their communities)
• Organized over 1,800 build events to donate devices into communities across the country
• Expanded to serve all of Canada, with a reach of 102 countries around the world
• Built a library of over 200 open-source assistive device designs that can be made by anyone

To celebrate 10 years, Makers Making Change has launched a new fundraising campaign (new window) – for every dollar donated, your donation will be matched for double the impact. You may also visit their website (new window) for a more in-depth look at their impact over the past 10 years.

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About Neil Squire
“We use Technology, Knowledge, and Passion to Empower Canadians with Disabilities.” Neil Squire, the Canadian leader in assistive technology, has been revolutionizing the lives of Canadians with disabilities since 1984. Their work, which is focused on Innovation, Digital Literacy, Employment, and Assistive Technology, enables people with disabilities to achieve their goals, reach their full potential and continue living life to the fullest.

About Makers Making Change
Makers Making Change (new window), an initiative launched by Neil Squire in 2016, leverages the capacity of community based Makers, Occupational Therapists, and Volunteers to develop and deliver affordable Open Source Assistive Technologies.