Students from Owensboro Innovation Academy (OIA) recently teamed up with Wendell Foster to modify toys for children with disabilities, using assistive technology to make play more accessible — and turning a classroom project into a powerful act of community service.
The initiative was led by Wendell Foster’s Technology Assistant Kassandra Hester, who connected with OIA instructor John Gray to involve his senior project-based class in the effort. The students, along with peers from Owensboro High School, adapted electronic toys by rewiring them and adding accessible switches and buttons, many of which were 3D-printed.
“We started thinking about all the students that could be involved — the pre-engineering students — and how it could be a community effort,” Hester said. “It all came together beautifully. It happened really fast — under a month.”
The adapted toys were gifted to children nominated by Wendell Foster’s outpatient therapists. Without the modifications, these types of accessible toys often cost $150 to $200 online — an expense many families can’t afford.
“We don’t want cost to be a barrier for a child being able to play and learn and have fun,” said Kara Howard, Wendell Foster’s Vice President of Development and Community Engagement. “So that’s where this partnership came from.”
Students learned to solder wires and open complex toys, often with help from professors and lab technicians at Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC). In some cases, the toys had multiple interactive components that required intricate rewiring.
“There was a huge learning curve,” Gray said. “But one thing I stressed to the kids was that this had to be right. I would hate for a child to open a present and it not work. They worked really hard.”
Senior Cole Rummage said the project was both rewarding and inspiring.
“It feels amazing knowing who we’re giving these presents to,” Rummage said. “The prices of these things compared to what we did — it’s crazy to think about.”
Rummage, who plans to pursue electrical engineering, said he now sees this type of work as a possible path for his future. Classmate Martin said the experience was eye-opening.
“Adapted toys can cost a ton of money,” Martin said. “And we made all these people happy with something that cost little to nothing. That’s awesome.”
Hester said the final results far exceeded her expectations, especially on more complex toys like remote-control cars and musical gadgets that now operate through multiple accessible switches.
“Some of the toys they rewired were so intricate,” she said. “They adapted a remote-control car so it could go forward and in different directions. Or a dancing flower that can sing, record a voice, and dance — and they adapted all of those features.”
She added that while assistive technology is often associated with education or therapy, it’s equally important to support children’s emotional and recreational development.
“Sometimes families in these situations don’t get things like artwork from their child, or their child can’t access the therapeutic benefits of play and creativity,” Hester said. “Being able to provide that is beautiful.”
Both OIA and Wendell Foster hope the partnership continues and expands next year.
