The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation has created Adaptoys, adapted versions of popular toys that allow people with physical disabilities to experience actively playing with their families. The toys are equipped with voice activation, motion sensors, and sip-and-puff assistive technology.
Advertising agency 360i partnered with technology company Axios to create the initial prototypes, including a remote control car powered by a headset equipped with a straw, and a voice-controlled pitching machine that throws a ball on the user’s command. In a film created by production company Tiny Giant and director Charlie Mysak, with support from Jim Rubino of Fluid Editorial, former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand illustrates the impact these toys can have for individuals living with paralysis as he plays with his young nephews.
To make these toys more accessible to everyone, 360i and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation launched a crowdfunding campaign at Adaptoys.org to raise funds to support the research, development, and production costs for at least 100 adapted remote control cars, which will be distributed to qualified recipients through a random lottery selection. The more successful the crowdfunding effort, the more toys will be produced and families will be reached.
