For many families, shopping for holiday toys is a joyful tradition — but for children with physical disabilities, accessible toys can be hard to come by. Switch-accessible toys, which allow children with limited motor function to play independently, often cost twice as much as their standard counterparts.
Graduate students in Southern’s assistive technology certificate program are working to change that — led by Dr. Lauren Tucker, an associate professor of special education and a statewide leader in accessibility, assistive technology, and AI.
On Wednesday, November 19, students hosted a hands-on toy adaptation workshop in the College of Health and Human Services building, where they learned how to rewire traditional battery-operated toys to make them switch accessible. The initiative not only teaches practical, low-cost techniques for increasing accessibility — it also directly benefits families across Connecticut.
“When you are looking for an accessible toy for an individual who might have a physical disability, they generally range two to five times more expensive,” Tucker explained in a recent NBC Connecticut segment.
“At Southern, we teach teachers and other professionals how to take typical toys and adapt them — and that’s something I love within our program: we really emphasize social acceptance, play, and recreation, in addition to academics.”
Tucker holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership with a concentration in assistive technology. She brings years of experience as an educator, researcher, and consultant to her work at Southern, empowering students to bridge gaps in equity and access through innovation.
If you are interested in receiving an adapted toy or learning more about the opportunity for your community, please contact Dr. Lauren Tucker (tuckerL7@southernct.edu).
Media Coverage:
📺 FOX61: “SCSU students adapt toys to be accessible for children with physical challenges”
📺 WTNH: “SCSU students hold workshop to make accessible toys for kids with disabilities”
📰 New Haven Register: “CT students modify adaptive toys for children with disabilities”
