It is a ratings label that imparts information that is useful in making decisions about selecting toys for children with special needs. The AblePlay Rating works just as the Nutritional Information label on food products and is trusted to impart accurate information and used to make purchasing decisions by the general public.

Ratings are given in star format in four different categories: Cognitive, Communicative, Physical and Sensory. These categories represent the majority of diagnosed childhood disabilities. Each toy will be evaluated for its appropriateness in each of the four categories. The number of stars represents the depth of accessibility, interest and overall use of that particular item for that particular category of disability. Five stars being the most impressive, most accessible, most appropriate item for children in that category of disability and one, obviously meaning that particular item is not suitable or useable for children who have a disability in that particular category. Using the completed critical assessment of each item, there is a mathematical equation used to determine the number of stars each item receives in each of the four categories.

The AblePlay Rating System provides a rating in four disability categories - physical, sensory, communicative and cognitive. This enables parents, at-a-glance, to get the information that pertains specifically to their child.

Physical:
This relates to children with disabilities affecting the motor systems. These can include skeletal, muscle and joint abnormalities which in turn limit a child's ability to move, stand, sit, play or reach. Some major physical disabilities are: Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Spina Bifida, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Development Delays.

Sensory:
This relates to a child's ability to gather and understand information from the environment though any of the five senses. Some major sensory disabilities are: Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, Sensory Integration Disorder

Communicative:
This relates to a child's ability to communicate verbally due to limited or altered comprehension and use of language. Some major communicative disabilities are: Autism/Pervasive Development Disorder, Speech and Language Delay, Stuttering

Cognitive:
This relates to a child's ability to process information, reason, remember and express emotions. Some major cognitive disabilities are: Down syndrome, Mental Retardation, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Hydrocephalus, Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disabilities

You will be notified by phone or email.

See a "live" toy review for children with special needs at www.ableplay.org.
After agreeing to the "terms & conditions" may we suggest that you view the Roundkids Comprehensive Product Review easily found in the "Search by Product Name" section. You will see a short summary of "Roundkids." Be sure to click on the "Roundkids" link to see the comprehensive product review.

Notice the "Buy This Product Now" sales links strategically placed throughout the review so the viewer can easily purchase the toy from the website provided by the toy manufacturer.

OR

Click here for a pdf of an example product review.

Certified AblePlay evaluators will assess each entry along with the assistance of children who have disabilities and their families. They are certified by the National Lekotek Center and have completed AblePlay Evaluator training. All evaluators have a degree in special education, early childhood education or a therapeutic discipline. They have been selected by the AblePlay staff based on their current positions, educational backgrounds, and previous evaluation experience. They all have extensive experience working with children who have special needs.

AblePlay evaluators will assess each toy with 5 - 8 children of varying disabilities during at least 5 - 8 play experiences. Each product will be assessed using the official AblePlay Assessment Tool which collects quantifiable data, in addition to parent and child observations, and evaluator comments. Upon completion of the evaluation process the data will be tallied and a rating will be assigned. A final written report will be completed on each product. It is the content of this report that will be used if the manufacturer chooses to opt-in to the website.

There is a nominal fee of $150 to evaluate each toy. An On-line Comprehensive Product Review with Sales-Links costs $750 for one toy; $650 per toy for 2-3 toys; $600 per toy for 4-5 toys; and 6 or more toys are $550 per toy.

Please call Raiko Mendoza at (773) 528-5766 ext. 401 or RMendoza@lekotek.org

Send entries to:
National Lekotek Center
2001 N. Clybourn, Chicago, IL 60614
Attn: AblePlay

Yes, your entries must be accompanied by any necessary batteries. Batteries must be included for each of the three samples sent.

No, entries are not returned. Once evaluations are complete, the item(s) are donated to charity agencies who work with children.

Three samples are required in order to have more evaluators and more children of varying abilities involved in the evaluation process. Exceptions are made in the event of oversized/overweight items.

We prefer that you send it to us using the online submission form, but we will accept it via fax or mail using the printable submission form.
The fax number is: 773.537.2992
Mail entries to:
National Lekotek Center
2001 N. Clybourn, Chicago, IL 60614
Attn: AblePlay

We accepts checks (made out to Lekotek), credit card payments through PayPal or credit cards over the telephone. Call Raiko Mendoza at 773-528-5766 ext 401 or RMendoza@lekotek.org.

A digital image of each entry is required. This image should be in JPEG format with a 300 DPI. Images may be submitted via email at lekotek@lekotek.org. Images may also be saved on a CD and can accompany each entry. AblePlay™ will not be responsible for locating a digital photo of each entry. CDs will not be returned.

If it is oversized because all three samples are in the same box, send the samples individually. However, if the item itself is oversized or overweight, contact Ellen Metrick at the National Lekotek Center, EMetrick@lekotek.org or 773-528-5766 ext 404 to discuss specific product issues. There may be an additional shipment fee for AblePlay to send the oversized/overweight item(s) to evaluators.

General/Active toys - battery-operated or manipulative (e.g. puzzles, play houses, blocks, puppets, balls, rattles, board games)
Children's books with interactive components (e.g. electronic sounds, lift the flaps, finger puppets, art activities)
Electronic Toys (e.g. tv games, hand held games, interactive tv products)All electronic games must be sent with a fully operating system in which to evaluate the game
Arts & Crafts
Outdoor Play Products (contact National Lekotek Center prior to submission if unit requires oversized/overweight shipment)
Educational Products (focuses on fundamental learning skills)
Specially Adapted Toys (designed specifically for children with disabilities)

We do not accept product in the following categories: Magazines, computer software, audio recordings, resource/parenting books, storybooks/novels, DVD/videos, juvenile products/equipment (e.g. highchairs, bouncy seats, cribs, walkers), items with violent themes, prototypes of any sort.

Pleae contact Ellen Metrick at 773-528-5766 ext. 404 or EMetrick@lekotek.org

Submissions for AblePlay toy evaluations are accepted at any time, but deadlines are estabished to ensure uploading of Comprehensive Product Reviews during peak promotional times.

Entries will be accepted at any time. Companies will be notified of their product rating within 6 weeks of submission. Companies will then have to decide if they will opt-in to the consumer website for an additional fee. ALL products will stay live on the site for 12 months. The AblePlayTM consumer website is now live and can be viewed at www.ableplay.org.

Deadlines are meant to ensure rating turn-around times during peak promotional times. To discuss your specific situation please contact Raiko Mendoza at 773-528-5766 ext. 401 or RMendoza@lekotek.org.

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When your product has been evaluated and rated, you will be contacted and given the rating information. Once you receive your rating, you have the opportunity to purchase an online Comprehensive Product Review with Sales-Links which will be featured on the AblePlay consumer website.

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The AblePlay website will be viewed and marketed to professionals who work with children with disabilities as well as parents, grandparents and family friends. Our research shows that parents of children with disabilities ask professionals for advice on buying play products for their children. By reaching the professionals, we will be reaching the parents, family and friends of children with special needs.

Yes, each toy that is listed on the website will have four sales-links. When you purchase your online Comprehensive Product Review with Sales-Links, you will be asked to supply a link so that consumers can purchase your toy directly from your retail site via the AblePlay website.