Let's Play Projects Findings
Read more on what the Let's Play Projects have found out about young children with disabilities and play.
Projects
Let's
Play! Project - Model Demonstration (1995- 2000)
The
Let's Play Project was a model demonstration project funded by the US Department
of Education, Early Education Programs for Children with Disabilities, #H024B50051.
This project began in 1995 at the University of Buffalo to establish a play and
assistive technology lending library lending for children and families involved
in early intervention. As a result of this project six Play and AT lending libraries
within the Western New York community were equipped with inventory and trained
staff. In 1999 we began to replicate the model across New York State by establishing
two replication sites. Assistive technology services provided through this project
have provided families with children with disabilities with increased access to
a variety of assistive devices and play materials as well as strategies to put
play back into the forefront of their lives. For more information on this project
review the complete
abstract.
Let's
Play! Project - Research (2001-2003)
The Effectiveness of Assistive Technology in Promoting
Playfulness in Young Children.
This
research grant was awarded through the Steppingstones of Technology Innovation
Program, #H327A010044. This research project will determine the effectiveness
of the Let's Play! AT/Play approach (developed through the Let's Play! Model Demonstration
Project) in establishing physical (assessable toys and supporting materials) and
human (strategies for communication and interaction developed jointly between
caregivers and project staff) environments that promote play and playfulness in
children with disabilities; and determine the feasibility of using the Let's Play!
AT/Play approach within EI settings. Both qualitative and quantitative methods
will be employed to address these issues. For more information on this project
review the complete
abstract.
Let's
Play! Projects - Phase I (2004-2006)
Project UDP: Developing a Tool to Measure Universal Design for
Play
This
research grant was awarded
through the
Steppingstones of Technology Innovation Program,#H327A030059.
This project will develop and validate a tool to identify and evaluate the
usability of toys for all children (birth to
three), including those with disabilities, by identifying universal design components.
The Universal Design for Play tool will allow parents of children with disabilities,
individuals who purchase toys (childcare providers, hospital workers, commercial
buyers) and toy designers to successfully identify toys with universal design
characteristics. For more information on this project review the complete
abstract (pdf).
Let's
Play! with Fisher Price - Special Needs Website
All
children need opportunities to discover and actively explore the world around
them. However, for many young children with special needs, play is often limited.
Their parents tell us they'd love some help choosing appealing toys that their
children can successfully play with. This new Special
Needs section of the Fisher Price website was created to offer
that help, with recommendations from staff from the Let's Play! Project to provide
supports for family play experiences.
Opinions,
materials and references to commercial products do not necessarily reflect the
opinions or policy positions of the Department of Education, and no official endorsement
by the department should be inferred.
