Volunteer engineers in Singapore modified more than 70 off-the-shelf toys to help children with disabilities play more easily [1].
This initiative addresses the high cost and limited availability of adaptive equipment, allowing children with motor challenges to engage with standard toys using custom-made interfaces.
The project was a partnership between the Rainbow Centre and DSO National Laboratories. A team of 20 volunteer engineers [2] worked to rewire the circuits of commercial products, adding custom 3D-printed switches that make the toys easier to operate [1].
Mr. Wong Jit Chin, a Principal Defence Research Engineer, led the project. He said the goal was to provide a more affordable alternative to commercial adaptive technology, and the cost of these 3D-printed switches is about one-fifth of the price of commercial alternatives [1].
By modifying the internal hardware of the toys, the engineers created a way for children with physical and motor challenges to interact with the devices without needing the precise fine motor skills typically required for standard buttons or triggers [1]. The partnership focused on creating solutions that are both functional and accessible for the families served by the Rainbow Centre [2].
“Volunteer engineers in Singapore modified more than 70 off-the-shelf toys to help children with disabilities play more easily.”
This project demonstrates how additive manufacturing and professional engineering expertise can bridge the gap in assistive technology. By reducing the cost of adaptive switches to a fraction of market rates, the collaboration creates a scalable model for increasing the accessibility of consumer goods for people with disabilities.
