Over 280 Community Volunteers Will Switch Adapt 250 Toys to Donate at This All-Day Event
BURNABY, November 15, 2024 – Neil Squire’s Makers Making Change (new window) program is hosting their first annual Holiday Hackathon at The Amazing Brentwood on Friday, November 22nd. The sold-out event is part of #HackingForTheHolidays (new window), their campaign that aims to ensure play is accessible to all children with disabilities this holiday season.
The event will bring together over 280 community volunteers who will switch adapt 250 toys to donate to kids with disabilities across Canada.
Throughout the day, volunteers will be working in two-hour shifts to adapt toys and build switches.
Why is this so important?
For many kids with disabilities, toys can be hard to use independently, and commercially adapted versions can cost hundreds of dollars. That high cost leaves many families and therapists supporting kids with disabilities without the interactive toys and access methods crucial to childhood development. However, with a little bit of tinkering, we can switch-adapt toys and make them accessible for a fraction of the cost.
Hacking for the Holidays
The Holiday Hackathon is part of the Hacking For The Holidays (new window) campaign. From September to December, Makers Making Change is engaging volunteers — students, corporate partners, and other community members — in 80 build events across 10 provinces to help us adapt and donate 2,000 toys and switches to families and clinicians all over Canada.
Media are invited to attend:
When: Friday, November 22nd from 10:00am – 8:00pm PST
Where: The Amazing Brentwood, 4567 Lougheed Highway Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z6
View the Eventbrite page for this event: Holiday Hackathon 2024 Eventbrite Page (new window)
Visit the Hacking for the Holidays campaign website: Hacking For The Holidays Website (new window)
Watch the video: Hacking for the Holidays Fundraiser (new window)
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About Neil Squire
“We use Technology, Knowledge, and Passion to Empower Canadians with Disabilities.” Neil Squire , the Canadian leader in assistive technology, has been revolutionizing the lives of Canadians with disabilities since 1984. Our work is focused on four distinct areas: Innovation, Digital Literacy, Employment, and Assistive Technology. Our work enables people with disabilities to achieve their goals, reach their full potential and continue living life to the fullest.
About Makers Making Change
Makers Making Change (new window), an initiative launched by Neil Squire in 2016, leverages the capacity of community based Makers, Occupational Therapists and Volunteers to develop and deliver affordable Open Source Assistive Technologies.