National Lekotek/AblePlay Overview

The National Lekotek Center

The National Lekotek Center, a 501(c)3 organization, has worked with toy manufacturers

for 32 years with a simple goal in mind—to improve the lives of children with special needs

through the utilization of toys and play.

The Lekotek model will mark its 50th year in 2013. It grew out of a movement that was

started in Sweden by two mothers of children with special needs. These women were

searching for ways to motivate their children to develop new skills. The driving force

these parents discovered that was capable of fueling this concept was simple but

powerful—a child’s innate desire to play

The founders were amazed. Not only did the idea work, but it propelled children to

move beyond their limitations and achieve more than anyone ever dreamed possible.

‘Lek’ (Swedish for toy) and ‘tek’ (meaning library) merged into a new word that would

find its way to distant shores—Lekotek.

Today this concept has expanded along with the special needs market. Lekotek has

increased its scope from play sessions to a comprehensive collection of programs that

promote toys for children of all abilities. They range from providing direct services to

children and their families to consulting for toy manufacturers on marketing to the

special needs community. A cornerstone of these programs is the AblePlay website

that offers ratings and reviews of toys and products appropriate for children of all

abilities.

Our Story

Advocacy Efforts

Children who are deprived of or have limited access to play often experience

a negative impact to their development, overall health and well-being.

Children with special needs are particularly vulnerable.

Preserving play time

Educating on the dangers of play deprivation

Providing information on the prescriptive use of toys

Encouraging physical movement and offsetting obesity

Creating situations for inclusive play

Applying technology to improve children’s lives

Informing families on the importance of play time

together

Using toys as tools to learn, grow and develop

Playing in nature

Promoting disability awareness

Experience Serving Families and

Children with Disabilities

Lekotek builds bridges for children to connect to

play experiences by offering play sessions, play groups, summer camps,

computer classes, support groups and family toy lending libraries.

Our 32 year history includes…

TOYS LOANED

AFFILIATES

PLAY SESSIONS

Lekotek provides monthly

therapeutic play sessions at

all their facilities. Family Play

Specialists use toys that

focus on cognitive, sensory,

communicative,

social/emotional and

physical skills.

Lekotek Toy Lending

Libraries allow parents to

further implement and

reinforce the goals of the

Family Play Session at home.

Toy Library services bring

interesting, exciting and

developmentally appropriate

toys into the child’s home

and spurs the child, siblings

and parents to play

together.

The National Lekotek Center

nurtures the replication of

the Lekotek model

nationwide. Lekotek’s

network of affiliates offers a

myriad of unique programs

that meet the diverse needs

of the families within the

context of their own

suburban, urban or rural

communities.

Compiled 5/1/2012

Industry Partnerships

Toy & Play Product

Evaluations

Product Development

Projects

Toy Company Partners

Lekotek has worked with a

range of large, medium and

small manufacturers in

relating their product to the

special needs market.

As an active supporter of the

value of play, Lekotek

promotes the importance of

finding appropriate toys for

children of all abilities. We

welcome partnerships with

toy manufacturers who

share that goal.

Product evaluations are one

of the major focuses of

Lekotek. Projects specific to

children with special needs

range from the AblePlay Star

Rating and Lifetime seal, to

evaluating toys for the Toys

R Us Toy Guide for

Differently-Abled Kids.

Lekotek also judges toys for

children of all abilities for

the National Parenting

Publications Awards

(NAPPA).

Product development

consultation is a tool

manufacturers use in making

their products more

accessible to children of all

abilities. Services range

from advocating for

‘universal design’ concepts

in new product development

to modifying existing

products that target the

special needs market.

National Lekotek Center has developed extensive

expertise in how to make play accessible and successful

for children of varying degrees of abilities. This very

specialized niche has made Lekotek a seasoned resource

for the toy industry.

Our 32 year history includes…

Compiled 5/1/2012

National Lekotek Center has developed extensive expertise in

how to make play accessible and successful for children of

varying degrees of abilities. This very specialized niche has made

Lekotek a seasoned resource for the toy industry.

Industry Publishing Efforts

2010

since 1995Toys ‘R’ Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids

Selected, evaluated and wrote copy for 3,338 toys

Authored this booklet for 17 years

since 2006ASTRA

newsletter Contributed and continues to write a regular

column encouraging specialty toy retailers

to reach and relate to the special needs

community

2008One Step Ahead

Wrote online catalog content dedicated

to positioning products to the special

needs market

PlayCore

Partnered in writing “2 Play Together,

Fostering Friendships through

Inclusive Play”

Conducted extensive field testing of

commercial and residential

playground equipment for children

with special needs

Consumer Publishing Efforts

Lekotek writes columns, posts articles and releases PR material

on a regular basis focusing on the special needs community. In

addition, Lekotek serves as a contributor and trusted authority

on children with disabilities to various publications and television

media outlets.

since 2003NAPPA

Serve as the lead toy judge for National

Parenting Publications Awards programs

To date have evaluated 2,215 toys

Write column on children with special needs for

the NAPPA website

since 2008Chicago Special Parent

Write bi-annual column on play for this

special edition of “Chicago Parent”

magazine and serve on Advisory Board

since 2009 Parenting Special Needs

Write a bi-monthly column for this

online publication on toys for children

with special needs

2002“Understanding Children” book by Richard Saul Wurman

Provided editorial services to chapter on play

US Congress—cited as a model program for children and families

U.S. Senate Subcommittee for the Handicapped—asked to testify regarding

technology needs for children with special needs

US Department of Education—awarded three-year federal grant

US Toy Library Association—awarded Player of the Year

Illinois State Board of Education—received Exemplary Practice Award

Chicago Commission on Disabilities—received Gargoyle Award

Illinois Association of Non-Profit Organizations—recognized with Excellence Award

Toys R Us—awarded two “Vendor or the Year”

Los Angeles City Commission on Disabilities—received special commendation

Bridges for Autism–recognized with Excellence in Community Service Commendation

Awards & Honors