Join us to give kids with disabilities the gift of play!
Makers Making Change is excited to partner with the YXC Makerspace and the Ground Floor Coworking Space to host our first Hacking for the Holidays event in the East Kootenays with support from Steller Vista Credit Union via a StellerImpact Grant.
Volunteers will be provided with instructions, tools and materials to adapt a toy for switch access. Never done anything like this before? Don’t worry, no prior experience working with tools or electronics is required — we’ll walk you through every step. Everyone is welcome.
Why is this so important?
Every child deserves to play. But for many kids with disabilities, toys can be hard to use independently, and commercially adapted versions can run upwards of $300. However, with a little bit of tinkering, we can switch-adapt toys and make them accessible for a fraction of the cost.
The event is part of our Hacking for the Holidays campaign. From September to December, we’re engaging volunteers — students, corporate partners, and other community members — in 80 build events across 10 provinces to help us adapt and donate 2,000 toys and switches to families and clinicians all over Canada.
More information on Hacking For The Holidays
About Makers Making Change
At Makers Making Change, a Neil Squire program, with our community of volunteers and library of over 200+ open-source designs that can be made by anyone, we enable people with disabilities to obtain affordable assistive devices and live life to the fullest.
About Neil Squire Society
“We use Technology, Knowledge, and Passion to Empower Canadians with Disabilities.” Neil Squire, the Canadian leader in assistive technology, has been revolutionizing the lives of Canadians with disabilities since 1984. Our work is focused on four distinct areas: Innovation, Digital Literacy, Employment, and Assistive Technology. Our work enables people with disabilities to achieve their goals, reach their full potential and continue living life to the fullest.
About YXC Makerspace
The YXC Makerspace is a community makerspace located within the Ground Floor Coworking Space. The Makerspace is a place where people with shared interest, especially in computing, technology, and STEAM, can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge.
How are the toys donated?
We collect individual requests for toys on our website (must be logged in)and we have strong relationships with children's hospitals, rehab centres, and occupational therapists across Canada.
Locally, a number of the toys and switches will be provided to the East Kootenay Supported Child Development Program (EKSCDP). This program supports kids with disabilities in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Invermere, Golden, the Elk Valley, and other nearby communities.
Waivers
- Event Participation Waiver (Required). Please review here
- YXC Makerspace Waiver (Required) Please review here.
- Media Release (Optional). Please review here
