Omaha City Wire

A new collaboration between the Munroe-Meyer Institute and United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska has created a developmental technology lending library at the MMI building at 6902 Pine St. in Omaha. 

The Tech Tools library, now housed at the MMI Department of Occupational Therapy, contains modified toys, sensory aids such as an ocean wave projector and a weighted lap pad, an array of adaptive switches and more that are loaned to families, professionals and other care providers at no cost.

UCP of Nebraska has 11 such lending libraries throughout the state, including Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, Kearney and Grand Island. Anne Brodin, executive director, said MMI was an attractive partner for their newest location.

“We are both serving similar populations,” Brodin said. “MMI’s clients are the exact families we would like to reach with our Tech Tools program.” 

Brodin said one exciting facet of the MMI partnership is that MMI serves Omaha Public Schools, which provides another point of contact for individuals and families who may benefit from the use of the technology.

Michelle “Chelli” Westengaard, director of the MMI Department of Occupational Therapy, had worked with UCP of Nebraska in the past, and she pursued a partnership between MMI and UCP with a sense of mission.

“MMI is a wonderful place for this program,” she said. “We have access to so many community members and families. Our therapists not only provide outpatient care, but also serve the OPS school district and are able to check toys out to use at school. As families become aware of this resource at MMI, they are welcome to check Tech Tool toys out themselves.” 

Market prices of adapted toys and devices can be three- to five-times that of normal toys, placing additional financial burden on families/guardians already navigating inordinate care-related costs. Given children’s quickly changing interests and these high costs, people with disabilities tend not to have adequate access to them for play, inclusion and independence. Through UCP of Nebraska’s technology libraries, items are available on loan so they can be tested before a potentially costly purchase.

The Developmental Technology Library Program is nearly 25 years old, Brodin said.

“It has evolved and changed over the years,” she said. “The technology has improved and gotten more sophisticated.”

“It also evolved in seeing that if therapists work with an individual with our technology, it’s helpful. The families learn how to use it during a therapy session, and then they can take it home and try it out in a different setting. Putting the libraries in locations where kiddos go for therapy has had a positive impact on our program.”

UCP of Nebraska raises money for the libraries through philanthropy, grants and other fund-raising efforts.

Westengaard said she already can tell which toys are popular in the library, although the resource library, with more than 50 items, only opened at MMI in January. She’s pleased to see the positive response so soon.  

“Through play, children learn and develop a variety of skills – fine motor, gross motor, sensory, cognitive and social interaction,” she said. “These toys give everyone the ability to participate, learn and grow.” 

Original source can be found here.