STEPS Charity


We buy and adapt toys, selecting switches to the abilities of each child. Switches are sent on a long term loan with a specially adapted toy. The toy is changed every three months. We provide a FREE service to children between the ages of 0 and 16 who are unable to play without assistive technology.

The switches and toys are sent by post. We provide the postage there and back.

We aim to use assistive technology, enabling children with disabilities to have the same access to the enriching and developmental benefits of play as other children. Mainstream toys are adapted so that, with a special external switch, children can play with the toys activating the switch by blowing, sucking, bashing, squeezing, pressing or whatever movement the child has. Steps believes that no child should be unable, because of a disability, to have all the fun, learning and developmental benefits of play.

All of the children we aim to help are profoundly physically disabled as a result of neurological damage to the brain or spinal column. Additionally many, but not all of the children have an associated learning disability, often with visual or hearing impairment.