Toy Tech makes playtime accessible for children with disabilities

	A child with disabilities receives an accessible toy at the annual Toy Tech party. Image courtesy of ETTAC.

KNOXVILLE -- The East Tennessee Technology Access Center will host their annual Toy Tech holiday party to distribute adapted toys to children with disabilities on Thursday, December 07, 2017 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Knoxville Museum of Art. This year’s event, which includes food, music, and family pictures with Santa, will serve more than 100 families across East Tennessee.

The electronic toy donations were collected throughout the year and adapted by the Knox Makers, a local maker cooperative, and other ETTAC volunteers. Special switches wired in to the toys allow children who cannot use their hands to operate the toys to make them sing, dance, and light up.

“Play is an essential part of being a kid, but for children who cannot use their hands, play can be difficult”, said ETTAC Executive Director Mary Thom Adams, “Our adapted toys allow children with disabilities to make choices and play independently—many for the first time.”

ETTAC has provided adapted toys for children in East Tennessee for more than 20 years.

Founded in 1988, ETTAC is a nonprofit organization that connects people with disabilities in East Tennessee to the adaptive technology tools and services they need to live with maximum independence and dignity. ETTAC serves people of all ages in 24 counties in East Tennessee.

Published November 22, 2017