Toys are instrumental for learning and development – and kids love ’em! These resources to help you locate toys that are specially developed for kids with physical, cognitive, and sensory impairments; resources to tell you how to adapt conventional toys for kids with disabilities; and resources to help you select off-the-shelf toys that are best suited for your child.
This section of the Amazon.com / Toys ‘R Us website is based on the company’s useful guide to selecting off-the-shelf toys for kids with differing abilities. Here you can search for toys that promote auditory, language, visual, tactile, gross motor, fine motor, social skills, self-esteem, creativity, and thinking skills.
This selection of articles from Exceptional Parent magazine includes tips on choosing toys, adapting board games, avoiding toys with latex, an annual toy review, and much more.
Produced by Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc. and the American Foundation for the Blind, this is an excellent guide to choosing off-the-shelf toys that are appropriate for kids who are blind or visually impaired.
A model demonstration project at the University at Buffalo Center for Assistive Technology, the Let’s Play Project looks to provide families of children with disabilities with ways to play through the use of assistive technology. This excellent web site features informative, illustrated sections on the role of play, families, assistive technology, success stories, and resources. The web site includes fact sheets on toy characteristics, adapting toys, favorite electronic and non-electronic toys, and toy catalogs for children with special needs. There is also an excellent resource guide with links to web sites, vendors, and more. Also listed under Assistive Technology for Kids.
Information about a national organization that “provides family play centers and toy lending libraries that give children with special needs access to play that brings both joy and learning into their lives.” Includes information about the program’s philosophy and services, a list of Lekotek centers around the country, and related links.
This short KidSource article offers good tips for shoppers from Lekotek, a national non-profit network of play centers, toy lending libraries and computer play programs.
The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio reviews children’s toys and media. When we last checked in November 2001, the site was undergoing a redesign and a new area for children with special needs was in the works.
This excellent article by Catherine Burke focuses on the importance of play in the development of young children and simple technology modifications that can be made to facilitate it.