The Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center recently hosted the latest edition of a workshop to create a loaner library of adapted toys that are accessible for children with physical disabilities.
The event was organized by FairPlay, an organization founded by Christina Grisanzio, a graduate of the Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology program, which has been supporting the event since 2019. Grisanzio learned of the need for more equitable access to play for children with physical disabilities while interacting with patients in the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson pediatric outpatient clinic.
Participants successfully adapted more than 30 toys using simple modifications that allow children with limited mobility to operate them with an accessibility switch. Grisanzio said the event also helped to educate future clinicians about assistive technology and the importance of accessible play in supporting inclusion, development and joy for children with disabilities.
“Many people don’t realize that a $20 toy on a store shelf might cost more than $100 once it’s been adapted for switch use,” Grisanzio said. “That cost creates a real barrier to play for children with disabilities, leaving many families, classrooms and clinics without the adaptive toys they need. For children who cannot use standard toys, access to switch-adapted options can be life-changing and help ensure they are not left out of early learning experiences.”
