1. Presented by: Peggy McWilliams & Lisa Nevitt Lekotek of Georgia

2. Our Mission: Lekotek’s mission is to include children with disabilities into their families, schools and communities. Lekotek is making a difference for children with autism, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hearing and/or visual impairments, genetic disorders, developmental delays and chronic and s sometimes terminal illnesses.

3. Description of Lekotek Imagine you want to play a board game but cannot see the board or pieces. Imagine you want to email a friend or play a computer game but your hands are ‘fisted’ and you cannot type. With adapted toys, educational materials and computer equipment, Lekotek of Georgia makes it possible for every child to play and learn along the way.

4. Lekotek is Unique With an expert staff using adapted toys and computer equipment, every child is a “player”, participating and experiencing success. Lekotek helps parents focus on abilities rather than disabilities. Lekotek provides community resources to parents, disability awareness to schools and develops innovative software and computer products.

5. Questions to ask What do you want to encourage? How is the child able to physically manipulate objects? Where is the child’s most purposeful movement? What is his/her frustration level? What skills and abilities does she have? What has the child shown interest playing with?

6. Universal Design Universal Design is an approach to making products usable for people of all abilities. For children, Universal Design means equal opportunities to play. Toys designed with features that are appealing, flexible and adjustable that can be used by everyone, reflect the Universal Design philosophy.

7. Adaptations can: Allow for discovery Increase a child’s success Enable a child to become a full, active participant Address the individual needs of a child Promote and facilitate enjoyment, personal power and control Give a child a level of control of his/her surroundings. Equalize the “playing field”

8. Think Outside the Box Creativity is the key when adapting toys Follow the child’s lead Sometimes interacting IS the goal What would a typical child of this age be interested in? How can we make it happen?

9. Lekotek Provides Low Tech and High Tech Solutions Low tech solutions can be as simple as knobs on puzzles, Velcro, wikki stix. High tech solutions include adapted joysticks with guards that cost four to five hundred dollars.

11. Stabilize Steady play materials Should you attach them to a surface What is the child’s preferred play position

14. Remove Distractions Simplify Backgrounds

15. Velcro on wheels slow the toy down.

16. Heavy blocks weigh and slow this wagon down.

17. Black tape over “flashing” lights – may reduce seizures.

18. Foam pad taped over speaker – reduces startle reflex or irritation from loud noises.

19. Light Brite can be turned upwards and used as a light box for visually impaired children.

20. Accessibility fosters Creativity!

30. Light Box Ideas

31. Spacial Thinking * Motor Skills* Creativity* Language Development Includes 3 educator and parent endorsed Apps! Amazon.com for $21 - $24.

34. The Beamz system connects to a computer via USB. Each laser beam corresponds to an instrument or sound that the user plays by interrupting the beam. When the player removes his or her hand the sound stops. Even though the player’s interaction with the lasers is random, the device ensures that the music will always be harmonious. [4] Six laser triggers and two button-controlled triggers activate up to 64 independently controlled sequences of musical notes or events. When a laser beam is broken, the software program plays a musical note, event, or musical phrase that is always harmonious to the other sounds being played at that time.computerUSBlasersdevice harmonious [4] musical notemusical phrase

36. Conclusion With appropriate adaptations even the most involved child can be successful By adapting you are not lessening the challenge but allowing the child to access the toy Play is inherently valuable, so creating a successful play environment should always be your goal.