ACCEL Launches Makerspace at Metro Campus
(PHOENIX – Oct. 22, 2021) ACCEL, a private, nonprofit organization serving children and adults who have developmental disabilities, hosted the launch of its new Makerspace at its Metro Campus location.
The Makerspace provides ACCEL students with an adaptive therapy space for hands-on creating and learning through innovative fabrication technology like 3D printers, soldering stations, laser engravers and more. With the launch, ACCEL looks to introduce the Makerspace to their classrooms and program curriculums across the Valley.
“The possibilities of what ACCEL students can do are now endless and this Makerspace has unlocked the potential for us to be an innovative, cutting-edge organization,” said Jessie Bustamante, ACCEL’s chief advancement officer.
Funding for ACCEL’s Makerspace was provided by grants from organizations such as the ON Semiconductor Foundation, Pendelton, Sundt and SRP. Members of onsemi (formerly ON Semiconductor) received a full tour of the equipment on opening day and officially launched the space by pressing an assistive technology button created in the Makerspace.
“Investing in the communities in which we operate and where our employees live is critical to our organization. We’re proud to support the work of ACCEL. With this space, it has the ability to design and construct adaptive products that will create new opportunities for its students,” said Theresa Haywood-McCarley, board secretary for the ON Semiconductor Foundation.
About ACCEL
ACCEL is a nonprofit organization serving children and adults who have developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, cognitive disabilities and behavioral disorders. Founded in 1980, ACCEL is celebrating 41 years of providing innovative, individualized and comprehensive educational, therapeutic, employment, behavioral and life skills training to its students, adult members and clients. ACCEL’s private educational program supports students ages five to 22, with school campuses located in Phoenix and Tempe, and two satellite campuses in Buckeye. ACCEL’s Adult Services program provides day programming for adults ages 18 and older, through the lifespan. The BISTÅ Center, an applied behavior analysis agency located in Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix that serves children ages 18 months to 13 years old with early intervention services. For more information, please visit www.accel.org/.
