UNIT 20 Disability

美国学生习作

Play - The Universal Language of Children

Sunday morning, the day had begun with a quick peek at the newspapers. A toy add caught my eye...a brightly colored catalog advertising Toys ‘R’ Us. This catalog looked just like previous ads by this toy store but the title was "Toy Guide for Differently Abled KIDS." The cover depicted two happy young girls in brightly colored shirts playing with Barbie. This Barbie, however, was seated in a hot pink and purple wheelchair. The possibility that the whole catalog might be toys designated for people with disabilities was very intriguing.

Browsing further through the catalog I realized that the toys presented were all very familiar to me — Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, and Perfection — but the descriptions were different. Using an icon system, each toy is identified by the skills required to enjoy the toy. The skills identified include auditory, language, visual, tactile, gross motor, fine motor, social skills, self-esteem, creativity, and thinking. Most toys in the catalog required at least three out of the ten skills. The toys represented a wide range of age groups and selection of toys. Games, construction toys, and large playcenters are pictured.

Along with the icon identification system, Beth Boosalis Davis, Executive Director of the National Lekotek Center, provides the following guidelines when looking for a toy for a child with a disability:

• Start at a basic level and build from there to help insure success and lessen frustration.

  　

• Expand on your child’s own interests while assessing his or likes and dislikes.

  　

• Look at the size of the toy to see if it will work well with a child in a variety of positions such as a wheelchair, on the floor, while standing or lying on the side.

  　

• Take into account siblings’ and other playmates’ interests and skill levels.

  　

• Always focus on the child’s abilities.

  　

Michael Goldstein, the CEO and Vice Chairman of Toys ‘R’ Us, in the introduction to his advertising segment states:

Mary Hogarth, a representative from the Toys ‘R’ Us main office told me in a telephone interview that the response to this program has been "phenomenal." The toys have been marketed by use of advertising fliers and the use of the "mailing list from the National Parent Network for Disabilities." She said that "Since the start of the first guide in 1993, the toy industry has become more aware of the need for recognition of this area." She cited the development of Mattel’s "Share a Smile with Becky in a Wheelchair" as an example. This toy creates a wonderful opportunity for children to ask questions and learn about people with disabilities. Each toy represented in the catalog is tested with a broad range of differently abled kids to provide both a safe toy and accurate skill building information on the packaging. The Toy Guide is available in all Toys ‘R’ Us stores nationwide. Toys ‘R’ Us plans to continue development of this program.

Albany Toys ‘R’ Us manager, Jim Davis, said the program has been very favorable locally. "The guide is very helpful to parents. They appreciate it very much."