Sudbury, MA/Lexington MA Two Massachusetts nonprofits,
SMILE Mass and
Volunteer Ventures, have partnered to make parks, schools, and recreation areas more welcoming for individuals with disabilities—by donating
accessible picnic tables across the state.
This joint venture is a natural extension of SMILE Mass’s impactful
Floating Beach Wheelchair Program, which has donated more than
180 floating beach chairs to public beaches and ponds throughout New England. Now, through this collaboration, the mission of accessibility is reaching beyond the water’s edge—into gathering spaces where inclusion matters most.
“Our accessible picnic tables are in use at schools, public recreation facilities, and retirement communities, where they invite people with wheeled or limited mobility to have a seat right in the midst of the activity at a table,” said
Barry Glass, Founder of Volunteer Ventures. “One wheelchair user and adaptive design consultant, who assisted us with our table features, said: ‘
Your design, with a place for my wheelchair right in the middle of the table, is a highly visible and welcoming invitation to the table.’ Our table-building volunteers, who range in age from 7 to 80+ years, take great pride in the quality of the work they do and are proud to have a part in advancing the idea of universal design. We are thrilled to be in collaboration with SMILE Mass to provide these tables to their community partners.”
Volunteer Ventures specializes in hands-on volunteer service, bringing together community members of all ages to create projects that enhance accessibility and connection. Their accessible picnic tables embody the principles of
universal design, promoting visibility, independence, and dignity.
SMILE Mass (Small Miracles in Life Exist), based in Sudbury, MA, is a nonprofit devoted to helping families raising children and adults with disabilities live joyful, inclusive lives through recreation, vacation, and education. Their collaboration with Volunteer Ventures continues their mission to eliminate barriers—both physical and social.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Barry and his team,” said
Lotte Diomede, Founder and President of SMILE Mass. “These accessible picnic tables are more than furniture—they are invitations for connection. Together, we’re ensuring that people of all abilities are part of the conversation and the community.”
To date, SMILE Mass and Volunteer Ventures have donated
numerous accessible picnic tables throughout Massachusetts, with more planned in the coming months.
To learn more or to request an accessible picnic table for your community, visit
www.smilemass.org or
www.volunteerventuresma.org.
