Empowering community: AdaptAbility wins the 2025 ENMAX Amplifier Fund

AdaptAbility, a Calgary-based store founded by Tara Nelson and her husband, is making a powerful impact in the lives of individuals with diverse and special needs. What began as a personal mission to support their own child has grown into a thriving business gaining recognition across the globe. In 2024, AdaptAbility was named the Servus Credit Union Small Business of the Year at the Calgary Small Business Awards, and most recently, earned this year’s ENMAX Amplifier Fund.

The inspiration behind AdaptAbility came from Tara and her husband’s journey raising their son, who has a rare genetic condition and is non-verbal. When traditional options fell short, the couple took matters into their own hands.

“You can’t just go online and pick something,” says Tara. “Or you could try and he doesn’t like it. The defining moment for us was imagining if there was a store that we could bring him to and see what he gravitates towards, and he’d have access to all these cool, different things to try that would help him.”

Tara, who has a background in kinesiology, and her husband, with his experience in business, combined their skills and experiences to build something meaningful. The vision was simple: make a difference in the lives of people with special needs by offering carefully selected, hands-on tools and resources.

“That’s always been our mission,” says Tara. “And I hope that that can continue to be the mission and help as many people as possible.”

Winning the 2025 ENMAX Amplifier Fund

Although AdaptAbility’s physical store is in Calgary, its reach is global. Thanks to an intentional online strategy focused on SEO, the store now serves customers in countries like Australia, Singapore, Dubai and Switzerland.

“We're local in the sense of where our physical store is,” Tara explains. “But in the sense of our reach, we're definitely starting to get our name and everything out there.”

This growth and impact were recently recognized through the ENMAX Amplifier Fund, a program that supports Calgary-based businesses making a difference in the community. Now in its fifth year, the fund—presented by ENMAX in partnership with the Calgary Chamber—awards $25,000 to a standout local business to help propel them to the next level. Designed to champion innovation, technology, and leadership, the fund reflects a joint commitment to nurturing Calgary’s vibrant and diverse small business community during a time when support is more important than ever.

Together, ENMAX and the Chamber aim to empower businesses that are not only navigating challenges but also leading with creativity and purpose. Supporting entrepreneurs who bring fresh ideas and lasting impact to the city helps foster economic resilience and long-term community growth.

“It’s so amazing to be recognised,” says Tara. “It’s going to allow us to expand and bring in new and exciting products. It’s just nice to be recognised and to know that our hard work and efforts haven’t gone unnoticed and that we're making an impact in the community in Calgary and across the world.”

Creating a more inclusive community

AdaptAbility has never been just a retail store. Tara and her team have developed a wide range of community programs to make inclusion more tangible and accessible for families.

One of the most beloved events was the Sensory Santa project. Children with special needs were able to book private visits with Santa in a quiet, low-stimulation setting.

“There’s a lot of parents that came and said, my kid’s never been able to go see Santa. So this is so special,” says Tara. “That was a very impactful event that we held in the community.”

Another standout was the Sledge Hockey Try-It Day. This event allowed both able-bodied and disabled individuals to try out the sport, gaining a new perspective and creating space for all to feel part of a shared experience.

“It’s so amazing that there's something like that,” says Tara. “And for the individuals that did have special needs, they were very appreciative that we were providing this day and event for them to come out and feel like they're part of the community.”

In addition to providing inclusive events, Tara also shares other notable experiences that have made an impact. In particular, she highlights the story of one customer who holds a special place in her heart—a young man with high needs and a challenging home situation.

“We helped make his Christmas by gifting him a bunch of products and tools that would benefit him,” she said. “He does visit very often, and he's always a little spark of joy when we see him.”

With compassion at the forefront of the organization, Tara also touches on the importance of giving back. AdaptAbility supports several charitable organizations including Ronald McDonald House, Variety – the Children’s Charity and Easter Seals. At their store, they collect donations that help fund adaptive toy vehicles for children with mobility challenges.

“We take donations at our store so that they can modify little Power Wheels cars for kids that can’t use their feet or steer,” Tara said. “They’re adapted cars basically for kids.”

Looking ahead with purpose

With their growing customer base, international reach and support from the ENMAX Amplifier Fund, the future of AdaptAbility is full of possibilities. Tara and her team are already planning to expand their product offerings, continue their community programming and deepen their partnerships with charitable organizations.

Still, the heart of the business remains as personal and passionate as ever.

“If we're needing it, then chances are other people are as well,” Tara said.

What started as a solution for one family has now evolved into a resource for thousands.
AdaptAbility continues to grow with purpose, offering practical support, fostering connection and helping families feel seen, understood and empowered.

To learn more about AdaptAbility, visit: adaptabilitystore.ca.
To learn more about the ENMAX Amplifier Fund, visit: calgarychamber.com/enmax-amplifier-fund.