Mission Statement

The mission of RePlay for Kids is to increase the availability of toys and assistive devices for children with disabilities. We pursue this mission by repairing existing devices, adapting mainstream toys, designing new devices, and educating families and clinicians.

Why It's Important?

Young children learn through play and social interaction. Children with disabilities are no exception, yet frequently require adapted toys and other assistive devices to fully experience the thrill of play. Due to the limited market, the adapted toys are more expensive than their mainstream counterparts. Fortunately, many service organizations provide switches, adapted toys, and other assistive devices to children who cannot otherwise afford them. However, when a toy or device breaks, the supplying organization usually does not have the expertise or resources to repair the broken item.  RePlay for Kids provides these repair services free of charge to participating organizations. RePlay for Kids also adapts mainstream toys for use by children with disabilities.

History

In 1990, toy repair and modification services started to be provided to a local agency on a voluntary basis.

In 1994, in association with the Case Engineering Service Group at Case Western Reserve University, toy repair workshops were organized to increase the number of toys repaired and adapted, and to increase the number of agencies benefiting from this service.

In 1999, RePlay for Kids was formally established as a nonprofit corporation to further increase the productivity of this toy repair and modification effort.

Since then RePlay for Kids has continued to grow, with steady increases in the numbers of workshops, volunteers, toys and devices repaired, and toys adapted.   See the News section for updates.