The PNW Adaptive Library is a resource for individuals with disabilities to gain access to adaptive equipment that they might try out for switch access, computer use, communication, environmental control and accessible play. In addition to the joy of play, users who participate in this program have the opportunity to: improve their functional use of switches, trial new access methods, learn and use new social skills, experience cooperative play, and many other benefits. The Library inventory consists of many different types of switches, accessibility tools for switch users, computer gaming platforms, adapted accessories, and a wide variety of adapted toys including: the traditional interactive plush animals, RC controlled cars and critters, bubble machines, dice rollers, switch adapted Nerf Guns, digital cameras, toy robots, Laser Tag, and fire breathing dragons. There really is something for everyone. Some of the toys can even be controlled via infrared commands directly from many speech communication devices that work as a universal remote control. In addition you will find a variety of low tech and high tech communication aids, adapted video game platforms and accessories, computer access aids, environmental access tools, 3D printed solutions, and mounting hardware to get the gear where it can do the most good. This program is available to anyone in the community who has a disability that they would like to try and accommodate for. As long as the borrower is close enough to come to our headquarters in North Seattle to pick up and return the equipment, then they are eligible to participate. Special Educators and therapists may also register to borrow equipment on behalf of their clients/students.

Additional information about the library can be found at https://pnwadaptivelibrary.cs.washington.edu/. 

And more information about our parent non-profit organization PROVAIL and the other services they provide can be found at https://provail.org/.

Luke, one of our earliest Library patrons is enjoying taking out dad with a switch adapted Nerf shooter!

About

Background

People interact with devices to develop physical and emotional skills. Such devices include adaptive seating, emergency response systems, and electronic toys.

Not every device is designed with diverse mobile abilities in mind, which means that many people are unfairly excluded from the benefits these devices intend to bring. Currently in Washington state, there is no convenient service for “trying before buying” accessible electronic tools. Furthermore, most of these tools & toys on the market are often expensive.

Our mission is to provide free and easy access to accessible tools to the community. We also host events teaching volunteers to “adapt”, or fix these tools for better accessibility.

Check out this video for more information on the library!

The Pacific North West Adapted Toy Library is made possible by a partnership among PROVAIL Therapy Center, the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology at the Paul G. Allen School for CS&E and the HuskyADAPT student organization at the University of Washington.
 

People

Current Administrative Members:

• Dr. Anat Caspi: Director of The Taskar Center for Accessible Technology
• Gabriel Laigo: Assistive Technology Specialist at PROVAIL

Past Volunteers:

• Library search engine developers: Nathan Chen, Sonya Lao, Dan Le
• Volunteers: Miles Goodner, Sylvia Ho, Suresh Devalapalli, Julia Ladner
• Research Assistants: Natalie VanDevanter, Subhangi Kabra, Jay Lin and Samatha Mak

Support for the PNW Adaptive Library: Initial support was graciously provided by The Ford College Community Challenge. Additional supporters have included the City of Seattle Technology Matching Fund, a King County digital equity grant, Nintendo of America, Inc., and the Microsoft Corporation.

Resources

How to…

How to adapt a toy for accessibility?

• Free tutorials on Udemy: PNW Adapted Toy Library Tutorials.
• Free tutorials on Instructables
• HuskyADAPT’s free Adaptable Toy List here.
• Slides from our Spring 2020 Hackathon, also available as a PDF.
•  Identifying Good Toys To Adapt – This document helps with identifying viable toys for switch adaptation.

Our Research

(2021) TCAT Survey on Play Access and Inclusion The Coronavirus pandemic necessitated rapid, radical changes to global systems, structures and organizations across all areas of life, including recreation and social services. These changes were something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, for example, the situation informed innovation in provisioning services remotely. On the other, some people’s inability to access such technologies, together with increased social isolation, exacerbated forms of exclusion. This issue considers what lessons can be learned from the pandemic in striving to design a future that is more inclusive for all. 

We are a group of researchers from HuskyADAPT and the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology (TCAT) at the University of Washington. We would like to invite you to participate in this study about how the pandemic has impacted access to play and recreation for learners with disabilities. Specifically, we are interested in responses from the following groups: people who identify as having a disability, caregivers, therapists, or other providers.

Please join the study here. Participants will be eligible to have a free switch-adapted toy shipped to them.