Led by Professor Alistair McEwan and Dr Sabrina Schaly from the University of Sydney and Dr Petra Karlsson from CPA, the newly funded TechToys Designed with Children with Cerebral Palsy: Reimagining Play project has successfully secured almost $500,000 through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Program. CPA is a key partner organisation on the project, contributing more than $560,000 in combined in-kind and cash support over three years.
The project will co-design and manufacture adapted and accessible “TechToys” for children with complex physical and cognitive needs, helping support communication, cognitive development, movement and participation through play.
The underlying philosophy of this project is simple: every child has the right to play.
Children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities often face barriers accessing toys and activities that support early learning, independence and social connection. This project aims to change that by developing adaptive toys designed with input from children and families with lived experience.
The project will also create an open-source TechToy Library, making accessible toy designs and resources available to families, therapists and communities.
CPA will play a major role throughout the project, including:
The project strongly reflects CPA’s commitment to innovation, inclusion and evidence-based practice, and aligns closely with our broader vision of improving participation and independence for people with disability.
“Technology and play can open doors to communication, learning and connection,” said Dr Petra Karlsson. “This project is about creating practical, accessible solutions that genuinely improve everyday life for children and families.”
CPA’s involvement includes contributions from researchers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists, alongside support for a PhD scholarship and technology development resources.
The project also reflects CPA’s growing leadership in assistive technology and innovation, particularly through research that combines engineering, lived experience and clinical care to improve outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.
By investing in projects like TechToys, CPA continues to support solutions that move beyond therapy rooms, ultimately helping children participate more fully in play, learning and life.
