As part of our #HackingForTheHolidays (new window) campaign, Neil Squire’s Makers Making Change (new window) program donated over 20 assistive devices to the Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) Regina Region (new window).

ECIP is a non-profit organization that provides a home visiting program for families of children aged 0 to 6 that have developmental delays across Saskatchewan, and ECIP Regina Region serves Regina and surrounding communities and First Nations.

In all, ECIP Regina Region received two switch-adapted toys, assistive switches, a tube opener, writing aids, a switch tester, two reading bars, two utensil holders, and some battery interrupters.

“THANK YOU! We are so grateful for this refresh in our switch collection,” says Danielle, an Early Childhood Consultant at ECIP Regina.

“It’s important for our library to have items like this, because they are accessible to a variety of needs. They promote the development of cause-and-effect cognition, independence, and so much more. It’s important for us to provide toys and tools that are motivating to the children we work with — children are motivated by play! These items will elicit joy, and therefore motivation to grow and learn.

“Some of our clients will be able to try out a new tool to see if it’s something they should invest in or get for themselves, some will use it for a period of time, and then return it to the library when it’s no longer needed.”

The devices will be a part of ECIP Regina Region’s toy library, which can be accessed by the families and consultants they work with. While they already had some switches, many of them were getting old.

“Our collection of switches is getting old, and therefore some of them are glitchy. Many of our clients use switches regularly, so it’s nice to have some new ones. Children with low mobility or using alternative forms of communication will greatly benefit from access to these items,” says Danielle.