We have been awarded an INDEX voucher - take a look at the INDEX web site to learn more about the scheme. Essentially, it allows us to work with a local university on a project of our choice.

We have decided to "spend" our voucher with Professor Ray Johnson from the Faculty of Arts, Media and Design at Staffordshire University.

What we want to produce is a multimedia presentation that shows:

• How assistive technology products, such as switch adapted toys and gaming consoles can help special needs children and young adults play more independently or, together, with family and friends.
• How parents, carers and teachers can make more informed assessments of the suitability of adapted technology products for their children and students.

Filming will be completed this week. Editing will start shortly afterwards and we expect to get the completed work in early November.

Mike

Children love bubbles. So, why not make a switch adapted bubble machine? That's what we did on Thursday night. We went along to the local Early Learning Centre and bought one of their bubble machines.

Later that evening, modifications complete, we had a bubble machine working in both regular and switch adapted modes. Look closely and you'll see the switch socket we added - the black lead. Any standard 3.5mm switch can be connected and, when pressed, the toy blows bubble galore.

We are planning to use it to flood the Reebok Stadium with bubbles when we visit the "Kidz Up North" exhibition in November. If you've got the chance visit the QED and Liberator stands to see this and all the other switch adapted toys and special Christmas toys we produce.

See you there.

Mike

On November 13th 2008 the National  Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries is holding their Annual Conference and AGM in Birmingham.

Running in parallel is an exhibition of toys and other leisure equipment. We will be there and will have all of the Dream-Toys on display along with Dream-Racer and Dream-Gamer. Anyone visiting us will be encourage to have a play.

Various workshops are also planned and one in particular gets our vote: it's all about switch adapted toys and is led by Pat Atkinson. Check the programme for "Switched Play Revisited".

This is an extract from the conference flyer:

Pat has been involved with the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries for many years. Her particular interest is
in play, including that of children and adults with special needs, in the creative use of simple technology and in sharing
ideas worldwide. She is a trainer for the Association and secretary of the International Toy Library Association.

Pat's workshop will focus on modifications and adaptations to toys and will have examples of the latest developments in switch operation enabling children and adults to operate various toys and equipment.

Why not drop by and say hello.

Mike