News
Children with disability will soon be able to gain greater benefit in their learning journey as the Albanese Government commits another $600,000 to enable toy libraries to extend their opening hours and offer low-sensory borrowing sessions.
At a toy library, the general public can borrow from a vast array of well-made toys that have been designed to support children’s skill development and imagination.
The toy libraries initiative offer families and carers an affordable way to borrow toys, puzzles and games that support children’s early learning and development through play.
According to the Toy Libraries Australia website, there are 390 toy libraries across the country supporting over 80,000 children. Although a small number of specialist disability toy libraries act as foundational support spaces, most mainstream toy libraries are services that inclusively support all families in their community.
Toy Libraries Australia CEO, Debbie Williams says children with disability need additional support to access a toy library.
That could be more space to move around, less sensory stimulus, or one-on-one time with the toy librarian.
Debbie Williams
“Additional sessions will allow toy libraries to meet these diverse needs and provide an inclusive and accessible service for all."
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, says the government is reinforcing its commitment to the disability community.
“We are proud to support organisations like Toy Libraries Australia, that empower and embrace children with disability to enrich their learning to achieve their full potential,” Minister Rishworth says.
“Children with disability or developmental delay and their families deserve to have cost-effective and accessible specialist sensory, fine motor and gross motor skill toys for play.”
The investment boost is set to help select libraries hold specialised play sessions, train volunteers and buy specific toys, to better include families.
A new specialist mobile service will also be set up to support toy libraries across Western Australia.
More information on toy libraries is available at the Toy Libraries Australia website.