Autodesk Makes More Independent Living Possible for San Francisco-area Residents

When the field marketing department for Autodesk held a meeting at the Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, CA, the organizers knew they wanted to roll in some formal training but still keep the tone fun and light.

Autodesk LogoAutodesk Stands Up for Lifesteps

The 90 Autodesk employees who joined us for a WheelCharity™ workshop were really enthusiastic. This meeting in particular was an early morning event, but you’d never know it based on how personable and outgoing everyone was! The group represented a broad range of ages, and had come to San Francisco from all over the country. They’d just finished breakfast, and were ready for our warm up activities. In WheelCharity™, as teams play games, they earn parts for assembling wheelchairs. The hosting company then donates these wheelchairs to local people in need.

Tools for Change in Millbrae, CA

One of the most popular WheelCharity™ activities is our “commercials” game. It was obvious that these participants were willing to get to know each other and have a good time with coworkers they didn’t know well. Teams worked quickly to come up with unique new products and find a way to get other teams interested. Everyone’s diligence to get the chairs built right was impressive.

The main focus of the activities we developed for Autodesk’s WheelCharity™ workshop was radical collaboration, simplification, and streamlining. By having teams compete for the wheelchair parts they’d need for assembly, followed by challenges and obstacles that sparked new ways of thinking and communicating, we encouraged Autodesk employees to hone their skills in new ways, in a safe environment that lent itself to learning.

Helping The Lifesteps Foundation

In this instance of the WheelCharity™ workshop, we held a brief obstacle course. This way, participants could try out the chairs for themselves. It was definitely an eye-opening experience for many. It instilled a genuine sense of accomplishment to realize just how important wheelchairs are for people who have mobility issues.

Stephen Victoriano from the Lifesteps Foundation happily received the chairs for the many they serve in the area. He arrived toward the end of the workshop, and circulated around the room. He spoke with all of the teams, sharing conversations about what Lifesteps Foundation does, and how it helps people manage independent living. Many of the Autodesk employees asked thoughtful questions about the process and measurements for success. It was clear that what they learned that day would stick with them for a long time to come.