Toy Library Meets Special Needs

he Toy Chest/Travelling Toy Chest, located in Barrie, Ontario, is a thriving program serving 1600 families and 1321 caregivers in Simcoe County. Established fifteen years ago by the Barrie and District Association for People with Special Needs, this busy toy library/playroom and mobile service, features a "special toy selection" for children with special needs.

The special toy selection, which consists mainly of adaptive toys but includes some regular toys as well, serves families, infant development workers, resource workers, school teachers, physiotherapists, speech pathologists and mediators in 46 communities throughout Simcoe County.

"When we select toys to add to our collection, we respond to the needs identified by families and professionals," says Gloria Parham, Programme Supervisor. "We make every effort to be economical and purchase from local retail toy stores whenever possible."

Toy catalogues, including Child Craft, Banbury Cross and Wintergreen (see telephone numbers below) are also a source for Toy Chest purchases, but the bulk of its special selection comes from suppliers carrying a variety of adaptive toys, switches and enabling devices. (See suppliers' names and telephone numbers below).

"In the past we tried to adapt battery-operated toys by connecting a toy cable wire to a switch, but the procedure was tricky and frustrating. We were happy to learn, during a visit to the Hugh McMillan Center have also visited the Toy Chest, and adds Gloria "they liked what they saw." These visits have resulted in a sharing of resources, catalogues, and ideas, as well as opportunities for future collaboration.

The program's most recent purchases include toys that are both audibly and visually stimulating, switch puzzles and switch stacking blocks. For example, a three-shape puzzle that plays a song when it is completed; a butterfly-shaped puzzle covered with small coloured lights which are activated as the child adds each piece. When completed, the puzzle plays a tune. These toys are available through Enabling Devices - a division of Toys for Special Children.

The Travelling Toy Chest visits communities monthly. Families and profrssionals can choose toys from the Special Toy Selection Catalogue. They can either scan the catalogue, place their order and wait for the van to bring their selections on the next trip, or they can phone the Toy Chest Library and request toys by referring to the name and catalogue page number.

To raise awareness of the Special Toy Selection, staff attend and participate in toy presentations, workshops for families who have children with special needs, toy displays for resource workers and parent information evenings. Readers who would like more information about the program's "special toy selection," may contact Gloria Parham at (705)726-0701 or write to her at The Toy Chest, 190 Cook Street, Barrie, ON, L4M 4H5

SUPPLIERS
Child Craft: 1-800-268-8994 Banbury Cross: 1-800-665-0090 Wintergreen: 1-800-567-8054 Enabling Devices - A division of Toys for Special Children(US): 1-800-832-8697	Flaghouse(CAN): 1-800-265-6900 Crestwood(CAN): 1-414-352-5678 Tash(CAN): 1-416-475-2212 Able Net Inc.(US): 1-800-322-0956 Dragonfly Toy Co.: 1-800-308-2208

Source: Play and Parenting Connections,Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs, Special Issue 1995

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