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Electronic toys—like those that light up, talk, move and even blow bubbles—can be problematic for children with special needs to operate due to switches or buttons that may be too small or difficult to reach. While commercially adapted toys are available for purchase, they can cost four to five times as much as those bought off the shelf. This unfortunate situation leaves many families with a difficult choice, especially around the holidays. A passionate group at Ohio State is hoping to change all of that.
Toy adaptation efforts at The Ohio State University have evolved from a series of workshops launched in 2013 into a university program that provides hands-on educational opportunities to engineering students, while making a positive impact on the community. Adaptive toy labs have also been integrated into the first-year engineering scholars and honors curriculum. More than 870 students have helped adapt toys so far in 2016. Thanks to their efforts and those by alumni, industry professionals and other community volunteers, approximately 400 toys have been adapted this year alone.
During the labs and workshops, students learn how to take apart a toy to access the circuitry, determine where to add a parallel circuit and decide where to solder a 3.5 mm female jack in order to make the toy compatible with a multitude of adaptive switches. Once adapted, the toys are donated to the Toy and Technology Library at Ohio State’s Nisonger Center and Katelyn’s Krusade, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children with special developmental and medical needs. Many adapted toys are also donated directly to local families in need, thanks to funding provided by a Battelle Engineering, Technology and Human Affairs Endowment grant and an Impact grant from Ohio State’s Office of Outreach and Engagement.
For the Buckeye engineers, the biggest reward comes from the joy on the children’s faces when they receive a special toy.
“I was fortunate to deliver toys directly to a family with a child with needs. The only thing she could really move was her neck and her head a little bit, as well as her finger. We chose two toys especially for this little girl, she loved Elmo. We brought out the toys out of the bag and her face just lit up, she was so excited.” - Meg West, Civil Engineering Student
We hope you will consider making a gift to support these efforts and help light up many other faces this holiday season and throughout the year.
All funds donated will be used to purchase supplies used in the adaptation of toys.
