Rebecca Atkinson: Choose a toy which reflects deafness this Christmas

Christmas is nearly upon us, children across the land are drawing up lists for Father Christmas, but where do you go if you want toys that celebrate Deafness? Limping Chicken caught up with Deaf Journalist and Writer, Rebecca Atkinson, who reflects on the progress of #ToyLikeMe® and shares her top five Deaf toy picks.

Since #ToyLikeMe was established in 2015 to call on the global toy industry to better represent 150 million deaf and disabled children, we’ve come a long way. We’ve seen Lego bring out the first wheelchair-using mini-figure and feature wheelchair users in their latest Lego Dimensions release, Fantastic Beasts.

In September this year #ToyLikeMe launched toylikeme.org after successfully crowd funding to create an online hub to connect customers with hard to find products.

This Christmas we’re delighted to write that there has never been more choice for people looking for toys representing deafness thanks to the power of 3D printing.

Toylikeme.org provides links to a USA site where you can order 3D printed hearing aids and cochlear implants in a range of colour. These can then be combined with plush toys to create #ToyLikeMe style mash-ups! Toylikeme.org lists a range of plush toys which fit the hearing aids or CI.

The #ToyLikeMe website also lists a host of bespoke makers from around the world who create toys to order some of which feature cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids too!

For a great list of children’s books featuring deafness check out our top 8 – HERE!

For more information, go to:

Toylikeme.org

Facebook.com/toylikeme

Twitter – @toylikeme

Instagram – @toylikeme