Every individual deserves the tools to stay connected to their people, their land, and their culture. Help us make that a reality.
OUR FOUNDATION
Two Years of Listening
At CPARF, we know that assistive technology is more than devices — it is a vital bridge to community, culture, and agency. Supported by Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, we have spent two years listening to Indigenous people with disabilities and those who care for them.
A mother built her own Lakota AAC device to ensure her child’s voice honors their heritage. A family crafted walking bars from PVC pipe when resources were unavailable. These acts of cultural continuity show us a way forward.
The ingenuity and resilience we witnessed is extraordinary. So are the barriers standing in the way.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
- Barriers to Access – Our pilot identified the critical gaps where mainstream models fall short for people with disabilities in Tribal Nations:
- Cultural & Informational – Outreach often misses the mark, leaving families unaware of life-changing tools available to them.
- Economic – Prohibitive costs and fragmented funding create unnecessary hurdles for families seeking help.
- Geographic – Vast distances and rugged terrain make accessing care a physical and financial hardship.
- Systemic- Healthcare systems are rarely designed with trauma-informed, culturally grounded care in mind.
INNOVATION ROOTED IN TRADITION
What We are Building
Real progress happens when innovation meets mutual respect. We are investing in solutions that are created by and for Indigenous communities — two examples from CPARF’s assistive technology accelerator that are already making a difference:
- Ask Grandma App – Founded by a Diné and Acoma Pueblo speech-language pathologist, Ask Grandma provides Indigenous caregivers with a warm, culturally sensitive guide to child development. Learn more
- All-terrain Mobility – We are provisioning all-terrain wheelchairs and automatic door openers to help community members navigate their worlds with dignity.
A MOMENT OF CONNECTION IN SKY CITY
Working with Tribal liaisons and Remarkable US, we provisioned a Wildebeest all-terrain wheelchair for a teenager with CP living in Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico. She can now navigate the rough terrain to reach parts of her community that were long inaccessible to her — opening not just physical space, but dignity, independence, and a deeper connection to place.
JOIN THE MISSION
There is a Place for You in this Work
We are seeking visionary co-design and funding partners to help scale this work into a lasting assistive technology ecosystem that empowers Indigenous families and communities through innovative solutions and mutual respect.
Whether you are an individual donor, a foundation, or a company with funding or technology to contribute, your investment helps get equipment, infrastructure, and Indigenous-led innovation to communities that have waited long enough. We would love to discuss exactly what your support can make possible. Reach out and let’s talk.
Contact Elizabeth Boyte to learn more and get involved.