LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A team of employees from GE Appliances — known as the GE Appliances Elf-gineers — has dedicated its time and engineering expertise to adapt more than 100 toys for local children with disabilities.
The goal, according to a press release from GE Appliances, is to help ensure these children can experience the magic of play, regardless of their abilities.
For many children with disabilities, toys that light up, move, or play sounds can be difficult or impossible to use without assistance. Adapted toys, outfitted with special switches and features tailored to various abilities, give these children a chance to play independently. However, these customized toys are often expensive, making them out of reach for many families already facing other costs, the press release said.
Upon learning of these challenges, the Elf-gineers — mechanical and electrical engineers from GE Appliances — came together and transformed the air-conditioning laboratory at the company’s Kentucky-based headquarters into an elf workshop and used their engineering expertise to reconfigure more than 100 toys to meet the unique needs of local kids.
“Our employees have the freedom to explore their passions at work, and the Elf-gineers’ choice to use their skills to make a difference for kids in our community is just one way our culture comes to life,” said Rocki Rockingham, chief human resources officer at GE Appliances. “This initiative is a powerful example of how our core values of inclusion, innovation, and commitment to our community are lived daily. The same people designing and building innovative household appliances that simplify life are using their expertise and consumer-focused mindset to help create inclusive play experiences to make a difference for kids during the holiday season.”
The adapted toys are being distributed this month to several nonprofits and schools in Louisville, including the Jefferson County Public Schools, the Visually Impaired Preschool Services, and the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies.