Just in time for the holiday season, Duquesne students are helping to design, adapt and fix toys for children with disabilities through START-Play Hackers.
The student group, led by Duquesne Professor Regina Harbourne and comprised of students from various disciplines such as physical therapy and biomedical engineering, often re-wire and modify switches and controls of the toys so they can be adapted for children with disabilities and motor impairments.
START-Play Hackers formed because there are only a limited number of toys available for children with motor or developmental disorders, and those toys are expensive and often not very durable. Researchers have found that reduced exposure to play can further hamper a child’s development of motor and cognitive skills.
The students will be making a special delivery of new and refurbished toys to children at the Easter Seals location in Cranberry Township Thursday, Dec. 19.