NDSU's Disability Services, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society are working together to make the holiday season more enjoyable for children of all abilities.
Playing with off-the-shelf toys is often not possible for children with physical and motor disabilities, depending on their unique abilities. However, toys can be modified so the original switches are rerouted to a larger switch that is more accessible and easy to operate.
Toy modifications are scheduled during the first-ever Toy Adaptathon at NDSU on Wednesday, Dec. 18, starting at 4 p.m. Switch modifications will be made in the Electrical and Computer Engineering building’s room 203. Soldering work is set in room 211. Parents, families and friends of children with physical and motor disabilities are encouraged to drop off their switch-activated toys at NDSU’s Main Library, in suite 17.
“We’ve lined up around 10 volunteers to commit their time to adapting toys for children with disabilities,” said Mark Coppin, NDSU Disability Services director. “We plan to adapt anywhere from 20-50 toys. Our goal is to make toys accessible to all this holiday season.”
Donations from the public also are requested for the families who cannot afford switch-activated toys for their children. Toy or monitary donations can be dropped off at NDSU’s Main Library, in suite 17.
NDSU is partnering with area therapy groups to distribute the donated toys, but also encourages suggestions for any child in need of an adapted toy.
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