Kitimat Community Development Centre is one of 32 centres around B.C. that received some pretty cool toys for special kids.
The University of Victoria worked with the BC Association for Childhood Development and Intervention and CDC staff to come up with technology that would be most useful for children with special needs.
Through the CanAssist program, that technology is now available and being distributed to CDCs around the province.
The technology includes accessible gaming controllers that enable children with limited hand function to use popular video-gaming systems, a mobile music therapy kit that enables children who are unable to play regular instruments to create music independently or as a group to simulate a “jam session” and a remote-control car that can be operated by children who do not have the dexterity to use a similar commercial toy.
The program, supported by a $1.5-million contribution from the Children and Family Development ministry, enables CanAssist to purchase parts, assemble and test the devices, develop user guides, create instructional videos and a website for the CDCs, and ship the technologies to the centres.
KCDC’s Early Intervention Services manager and physiotherapist Carolyn Watt said the technology they received in Kitimat is already helping promote inclusion in classrooms.
“The kids participate now where they didn’t before. It’s a really simple way of giving someone choice and ability,” said Watt.