Simple clear advice in plain English

Disabled children get adapted toys to help with mobility

New toys will enable children to play normally

  • Andrea-Marie Vassou
  • News
  • Web
  • 11/11/2008
Image of disabled child with toy boat
computeractive/news/abilitynet-toys

A charity has developed a range of toys to help disabled children who have physical problems that limit their motor skills.

Abilitynet, a charity that helps disabled people use technology, has teamed up with manufacturer Excitim Ltd to produce a range of toys which it hopes will combat this problem.

According to Abilitynet, many children with special needs are prevented from enjoying the toys and games their peers take for granted because their disabilities prevent them from operating the controls.

David Banes, director of development at the charity, said: “Play is critical to the social, psychological and educational development of our young people, as well as their well-being and self confidence.

“However, for many disabled children, play options are severely limited by their condition.”

Toys include the Dream-Racer, which is an adapted radio-controlled toy racing car, truck or boat. Unlike conventional joysticks it depends on motion-sensing electronics incorporated into a baseball cap.

The toys also include controllers for disabled children who like to play with games consoles. Dream-Gamer is an adapted controller for the Sony Playstation 1, 2 or 3. It can be used either for solo use or alongside able-bodied co-players.

The Dream-Mouse also lets those unable to operate a standard mouse have full control over games, email, documents and their internet activities by using head or other bodily movements.

The toys are available from the Abilitynet website and they range in price from £34 to £200.

Article tags

Reader Comments

   

Add your comment

All fields must be completed. Your email address will not be displayed or used to send marketing messages.

All messages will be checked by moderators before appearing on the site.

See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Related articles

Emergency text service for the deaf extended

People in Dorset, Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall now able to use free service

Ofcom panel sets out recommendations for super-fast broadband

Let those currently without broadband go straight to next-generation broadband, watchdog says

Everything 3D illustration

Discover everything about 3D

We explain all you need to know about the latest advances in 3D technology

Question & Answer

Q.Why are some of the keys on my keyboard doing strange...

> Read the answer

Q.Is my phone’s Bluetooth any use?

> Read the answer

Q.Can I switch boot drives so that I can work on older...

> Read the answer

Best deals on the web

img

Samsung RV520-A07

£359.98- Buy it now

img

Acer Aspire 5750G (LX.RXP02.019)

£399.99- Buy it now

img

Apple MacBook Pro (MD313B/A)

£904.37- Buy it now

Latest issue & subscription deals

Poll

Are you concerned about viruses that target mobile phones?

Jargon Buster

Computing terms explained in plain English

Restore point

A Windows backup of system files and settings.

Great shopping deals from Computeractive