The National Lekotek Center is partnering with Rokenbok Toy Systems and Crane Industries to make the Rokenbok Play Systems accessible for children with disabilities. After extensive assessment and research with children with disabilities, this project will re-design the existing remote control to use more literal hand movements such as pushing, pulling and twisting rather than fine motor movements needed to push multiple buttons.
In addition, to facilitate easier success some additional pieces will be added to the ramp and a perimeter will be included to keep the vehicles and balls in a reachable area. Approximately 1,000 of these specially designed Rokenbok sets will be distributed, for free, to selected nonprofit organizations and Lekotek sites across the country.
This is the first project of its kind to take an off-the-shelf toy and re-engineer and produce a modified version that would make it specifically accessible for children with disabilities. It helps to close the gap between traditional toys and commercially adapted toys, which are often expensive, and not what their friends and neighbors are playing with. This project is funded through the San Diego Foundation.
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