Meyerson - Play through Assistive Technology
The Need for the Project
Assistive Technology (AT) can provide people with disabilities a bridge to opportunities for independence in everyday activities. An everyday activity for children is play or recreation. Children with disabilities are typically provided with assisitive technology tools that address medical necessities or educational goals, but not play, an important developmental activity. There are barriers for children with disabilities, when they try to interact with off the shelf or commercially available recreation or play activities (toys). In the field of AT, there is a large amount of information available that addresses adaptations to existing play or recreational tasks, as well as ideas for new activities. This information is mainly in book or reprint form and not readily available to families or caregivers to take home and use 'today'. There is a need to translate this information into hands-on, working tools so that children can have items to 'play with' that match their motor, cognitive and communication abilities to try various adapted toys or activities before purchasing or making items for long term use by their child.
Meyerson Foundation Toy Kits
In response to this need we have developed a library of play and recreation activity kits for children with disabilities. The toy kits include typical everyday toys, adapted toys, switches, light tech communication displays, and simple communication devices to facilitate participation and independence in play or recreation opportunities. Kits contains materials that will meet the needs of children with physical, cognitive, and/or communication disorders. A family can checkout a kit for their child regardless of the level or type of disability, the appropriate adaptations will be available in the kit. Simple directions and ideas for extensions of the play activity are included. The Assistive Technology Center at Northern Arizona University will loan the toy kits to families or other care providers for one month AT NO COST!!!
