For many children with disabilities, birthdays and holidays bring pajamas and socks rather than exciting toys. Family members, even parents, may be uncertain which toys the child will be successful using, and consequently, choose not to purchase toys at all.
 Out of this need and an increasingly high demand for individualized information on toys and play, the Lekotek Toy Resource Helpline 1-800-366-PLAY was established in 1992.
Initially made possible through a partnership with the Toy Industry Association (TIA), this toll free service continues to offer individualized assistance in selecting appropriate toys and play materials for parents of children with disabilities, their friends, families and professionals who work with them.
 In addition, in 2005 Lekotek launched the AblePlayTM website which provides parents and family members of children with special needs with toy and play ideas for toys by disability category 24/7!
Each toy goes through a comprehensive AblePlay evaluation, is a given a 1-5 star rating and review in the physical, sensory, communicative, and cognitive disability categories, and then is uploaded to the AblePlays website, www.ableplay.org.
Search for AblePlay-Rated toys for children with special needs.
|
