Neuromechanics & Mobility Lab member, Mia Hoffman, attended the 50th Annual American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA CSM) in Houston, TX on Feb 13-15, where thousands of PTs, PTAs, and students came together to learn, connect, and celebrate 50 years of innovation in physical therapy.
Mia, alongside IMPACT Collaboratory members Heather A. Feldner, PT, MPT, PhD and Tiffany Li, SPT, presented a workshop on “Co-Designing a Switch Accessible Digital Play Environment for Children in Partnership with Clinicians and Families“
Workshop Description: Switch-accessible toys provide a key means of participation for children with disabilities to engage in independent play. However, both switch-accessible toys and accessible switches can be cost-prohibitive to families. Additionally, there is a limited supply of switch-accessible toys in homes and clinics, making it difficult to find toys that can adapt to the sensorimotor needs and interests of each child. Drawing from a co-design partnership between engineers, rehabilitation professionals, and families of young children with disabilities, in this session, we will demonstrate a do-it-yourself switch kit that supports digital play options using a wide variety of body movements. We will present outcomes and data from in-home and in-clinic testing with diverse families and clinicians. Participants will be able to fabricate their own affordable switches, that can be adjusted to the access needs of each of their clients. Finally, participants will learn how do-it-yourself switches and associated digital materials can augment and enhance therapy sessions and support the play of their young clients.
