OT and OTA students reconstruct toys for EVSC students

The occupational therapy classroom at the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences is transforming into a miniature version of Santa's workshop this holiday season. The USI Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is partnering with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) to provide switch-activated toys that can be utilized in the classroom by students of all ability levels.

This project was inspired by Dr. Jessica Mason, assistant professor of occupational therapy. Her former employment with the EVSC and the relationships formed with EVSC students influenced her decision to implement the project with USI's Occupational Therapy Program. Mason reached out to Karen Dishman, assistant professor of occupational therapy, for assistance in the toy adaption process.                                         

The toy adaption process was revised by the Ivy Tech Robotics program, which collaborated on this process with Mason, Dishman and a large group of occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students. The process began with preparing the cables that activated the toys. Students were required to strip wires and connect wire splicers to the wires located inside of the cables. Next, the toys were prepared by making small incisions to access the wires. Then, the small amounts of plastic encasing the toy wires were removed, which allowed students to attach the wire splicers. Finally, after the toys were tested, the wires were secured back inside the toys, and the toys were then stitched up, good as new. An assortment of various button switches were attached to allow students of all ability levels to activate the toys.   

"The process was less intimidating than many of us expected. Now, we will be able to incorporate these skills into our future professions," first-year OT student Allison Hermes said. "I can only imagine how many smiles these toys will bring to the children of the EVSC."

In order to receive funding for this project, OT and OTA students applied for a USI Endeavor Grant on behalf of their SOTA group, which allowed them to purchase the toys and equipment used.

OT and OTA students plan to deliver the toys to EVSC schools before the start of their winter break. Until then, their version of Santa's workshop will be full of hard work, dedication and holiday cheer.