LWSD preschool parent and author teaches staff a do-it-yourself approach to adapting toys that can make a world a difference to children with disabilities

Greg Nakata has a very special set of skills. With a background in architecture and design, Nakata is taking run of the mill toys and turning them into items that can bring greater access and inclusion to people with disabilities. Nakata is the father of a Lake Washington School District (LWSD) student with disabilities and advocates for accessibility not just for her, but for everyone through his professional work and in the greater community. He shared this knowledge with more than 30 LWSD staff, including occupational therapists, a vision specialist, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists and special education teachers. The event took place at Old Redmond Schoolhouse on January 31.  

During the session, Greg taught staff how to make a simple switch instrument, creating learning opportunities for students who have been challenged to participate in play and life activities. He shared examples of how switches could be used to help students cook in a kitchen, turn a fan on to blow out birthday candles, activate a dice roll in a game, and start/stop a music/movement toy. Specialists attending the clinic followed step-by-step instructions to adapt their own cactus toy that they could use to support student learning. Adapted toys can be found on the internet for purchase but the cost is driven up because of the changes to the switch. One example Nakata gave is for a toy that can be found on Amazon’s website for $7.69. If someone were to try and buy the same toy that has been adapted on eBay, it will cost the purchaser $78.30. What Nakata teaches is that if you do it yourself, instead of paying an average of 800% in markup, you can adapt the toy for just a few extra dollars in supplies and minimal labor.  

Greg Nakata is the founder of AdaptedDesign. You can find out more about adapting toys by visiting his social media pages. He also wrote a book called “Let’s Adapt for Everyone!” that details the same process the LWSD staff learned.