Stony Brook Students Adapt Toys to Improve Accessibility for Children with Disabilities

The 3D Printing and Assistive Technology for Health (3D PATH) Club's third annual Toy Adaptation Event took place October 24 in the Student Activities Center. Photo by John Griffin.

More than 70 Stony Brook University students helped modify toys for children with disabilities at the 3D PATH(3D Printing and Assistive Technology for Health) Club's third annual Toy Adaptation Event.

Students worked together in the Student Activities Center Ballroom to disassemble and rewire talking toys such as Bluey plush dolls, dancing cacti, and interactive giraffes. Each toy was adapted to replace small, pressure-sensitive buttons with large, easy-to-press switches, enabling children with limited hand mobility to play independently.

"This is an event where we take toys typically meant for able-bodied children and make them more accessible by modifying them for children with hand disabilities or difficulty with fine motor skills," said Angee Diaz, a junior biomedical engineering major and president of the 3D PATH Club. "It's a good opportunity for students - not just from biomedical engineering, but from any major - to learn new skills, apply what they've studied, and connect with professionals who may one day be their employers."

From left to right: Dylan Vasquez, freshman Biomedical Engineering major, New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay and Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich.

The daylong October 24 workshop, now in its third year, combines technical training, community engagement, and professional networking, attracting student participants from across academic disciplines.

Last year, the club distributed about 30 adapted toys to local nonprofit organizations, including United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island, AHRC, and Angela's House. "Holding it near the holiday season means we can deliver the toys when they'll have the most impact," Diaz said.

For many participants, the project helps to make the connection between classroom instruction and real-world application. Sam Crane, a senior biomedical engineering student, said the experience reinforced the social purpose of their field.

"The highlight was being able to take a toy and fully adapt it in one sitting so that it's accessible to more kids," Crane said. "You open the toy, solder in an extra wire, and attach an external button so a child who can't grasp small objects can still use it. It makes what we learn in class feel meaningful."

Crane hopes to pursue a career developing low-cost assistive technology for people with disabilities, a goal shaped by their participation in a medical outreach program in Peru. "I want to make technology that's accessible and affordable, especially in underserved areas," they said.

The Toy Adaptation event also serves as an opportunity for students to build professional connections. Industry partners from biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Regeneron, and Brain Lab, joined the event, offering mentorship during a networking lunch.

Representatives from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also attended, along with local legislators and government officials, including representatives from the offices of State Senator Monica R. Martinez, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, and Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne. To signify the importance of this initiative on the Suffolk County community, Legislator Dominick Thorne honored 3D PATH and the Department of Biomedical Engineering with a Proclamation.

"The mix of students, professionals, and policymakers creates a dynamic environment," said Mei Lin (Ete) Chan, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineeringandthe club's faculty advisor. "Students are contributing to the community while gaining exposure to industries connected to their studies."

Jeff Cardillo, vice president and co-owner of TAP Electric, attended with several members of his team. "It's a great program and a great thing these students are doing," he said. "They're not just learning engineering, they're learning to apply it in a way that helps people. That's exactly the kind of mindset employers look for."

Cardillo, who first learned about 3D PATH through Stony Brook's Career Center, said the initiative reflects qualities his company values. "When we hire, we look for people who have the degree and the skills but also a sense of purpose," he said. "Seeing students who are giving back tells you something about who they'll be in the workplace."

Kirby Schneider, a 2023 graduate of Stony Brook's Occupational Therapy program, attended to represent the Children's Center of UCP Long Island, one of the nonprofit organizations that receives the adapted toys.

"At our school, switch-adapted toys are essential - they're how our students interact with the world," Schneider said. "The toys made here go directly into classrooms like ours, and they make a real difference for our students."

Schneider said she was invited by Chan to continue building connections between engineering and therapy disciplines. "It's a strong collaboration," she said. "Students learn the technical process, but they also learn about the human side of assistive technology."

"The event really captures what 3D PATH is about," Chan said. "It combines engineering, creativity, and service. Students see that their skills can have an immediate impact on someone's life."

Continuing with this momentum for even more engagement of both STEM and non-STEM students, Chan is excited to pilot EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) with the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) Program and Stony Brook's Center for Service Learning and Community Service.

- Beth Squire