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In order to provide access by a child with a disability, most battery-operated toys can be adapted to use a variety of switches. The type of switch and length of wire is determined by the ability of the child who operates it.
Through the use of adaptive toys, more children with disabilities are being provided the same play opportunities available to children without disabilities. The benefits of play to young children and infants in all stages of development are numerous. They learn to interact with and manipulate their environment, learn cause-and-effect relationships, develop positive feelings about themselves, and develop gross and fine motor skills. Playing with toys can be a strong motivation for all children and can be used to positively reinforce many desired behaviors.
There are four lending programs currently functioning in the state. They are: enTECH in Louisville, Bluegrass Technology Center Toy Library in Lexington, Western Kentucky Assistive Technology Toy Library in Owensboro and Redwood Assistive Technology Center Toy Library in Ft. Mitchell. The centers will loan toys to children or youths with disabilities, their parents, teachers or therapist. They will loan to any eligible person in their service area and in special cases statewide.
The enTECH Toy Library is funded from First Steps, WHAS and other grants. Eligible patrons can borrow up to four adaptive toys for a period of four weeks. The only charges are for late returns and damaged toys and they may be waived if there are extenuating circumstances.
A variety of special switches, switch-adapted toys, and instructional toys are available. In addition, several books about adaptive toys are available for loan.
enTECH is located in Spalding University, 851 S. Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40203. For more information, contact either (502) 992-2448 or (800) 896-8941, ext. 2648.
The BTC Toy Library was started in 1990. The toys and switches in our library have been funded over the years by private individuals and organizations such as: The Fayette Lions Club, WHAS Crusade for Children, Lexington Jr. League, Kentucky Early Intervention System- "First Steps" and Ronald McDonald Charities. Toys are loaned for a month, but this can be adjusted on an individual basis. The only charges are for late returns and damaged toys.
A variety of toys that have been switch-adapted are available. Toys with lights, sounds, and movements are numerous. Many of the toys were adapted for switch use by the University of Kentucky Special Education Department, the Eastern Kentucky University Occupational Therapist Department and other volunteers. The library also contains toys specifically designed for children with visual impairments since it now houses the inventory of the Visually- Impaired Preschool Services.
BTC is located at 961 Beasley Street, Suite 140, Lexington, KY 40505. For more information, contact either (859) 294-4343 (800) 209-7767 or visit the website at www.bluegrass-tech.org/Lendinglibraries.htm
The WKATC Toy Library was started in 1994 from First Steps and KATS Network Funds. Toys are loaned for a month and charges based on toy value are as follows: under $ 500 = $10; from $500 to $1,000 = $ 25.00; and from $1,000 to $ 3,000 = $35.
A variety of special switches, switch-adapted toys, and instructional toys are available. Augmentative Communication devices and materials for education are also part of the inventory.
WKATC is located at 815 Triplett, Owensboro, KY 42302. For more information, contact either (270) 852-1491 or (800) 209-6202
The REDWOOD Toy Library was started in 1997 from parents' donations, funds from the KATS Network, Cincinnati Association for the Blind and other organizations. Toys are loaned for a month and charges based on toy value are as follows: under $ 500 = $10; from $500 to $1,000 = $ 25.00; and from $1,000 to $3,000 = $35.
A variety of special switches, switch-adapted toys, and instructional toys are available. Augmentative Communication devices and materials for education are also part of the inventory.
REDWOOD is located at 71 Orphanage Road; Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017. For more information, contact either (859) 331-0880 or (800) 728-9807 or visit their website at http://www.redwoodnky.org/atrc-services.aspx
In addition to the loan libraries above, below is a partial list of vendors who manufacture specially adapted toys:
| Company Name | Address | City, State, Zip | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last updated: 04/22/2009 | ||||
| AbleNet | 2808 Fairview Avenue North | Roseville, MN 55113 | (800) 322-0956 | |
| Discovery Toys | PO Box 5023 | Livermore, CA 94550 | (800) 341-8697 | |
| Family Resource Services, Inc | PO Box 1146 | 231 Columbia Road 61 | (800) 234-9025 | |
| Enabling Devices | 385 Warburton Avenue | Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 | (800) 832-8697 | |
| Flaghouse, Inc. - Special Populations | 601 Flaghouse Drive | Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604-3116 | (800) 793-7900 | |
| LeapFrog | 6401 Hollis Street, Suite 100 | Emeryville, CA 94608 | (800) 701-5327 | |
| National Lekotek Center | 3204 W. Armitage Avenue | Chicago, IL 60647 | (800) 366-7529 | |
| The Dragonfly Toy Company | 291 Yale Avenue | Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3M 0L4 | (800) 308-2208 | |
| American Foundation for the Blind - A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs | 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300 | New York, NY 10001 | (800) 232-5463 | |
| Toys R Us Toys for Differently Abled Kids | PO Box 4422 | River Edge, NJ 07661-9894 | (800) 869-7787 | |
| Toys to Grow On | 2695 E. Dominguez St. | Carson, CA 90895 | (800) 874-4242 | |
| Abilitations | PO Box 922668 | Norcross, GA 30010-2668 | (800) 850-8602 | |
| Come Play with Me Toys | 2130 Fillmore Street - PMB 290 | San Francisco, CA 94115 | (415) 673-2125 | |
| Touch, Heal, Feel Special Needs Toys | 4537 Gibsonia Road | Gibsonia, PA 15044 | (800) 467-6222 | |
Many off-the-shelf toys can be easily and economically adapted to switch-control. There are a variety of switches available from the above vendors or an electronics store. Some examples are a joystick, large pads, single-switch, sip-and-puff, grip, etc. Although switch-making kits are available, another option is getting someone else to adapt a toy for you. There are several people in the state with experience in adapting toys and other devices. If you have a toy that you would like to have adapted for switch control, please contact any of the centers above and they will be able to help you. The Alliance for Technology Access has an article available on their website for adapting toys. Please visit the site at www.ataccess.org/resources/wcp/enswitches/endefault.html
For more resources on adaptive toys, please visit the following websites:
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KATS Network Coordinating Center
Charles McDowell Center
8412 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40242
Local: (502) 429-4484
Toll Free: (800) 327-5287
Fax: (502) 429-7114