More than 70 students from Stony Brook University participated in the third annual Toy Adaptation Event organized by the university’s 3D PATH (3D Printing and Assistive Technology for Health) Club. The event, held on October 24 in the Student Activities Center Ballroom, aimed to make toys more accessible for children with disabilities.
During the workshop, students disassembled and rewired talking toys such as Bluey plush dolls, dancing cacti, and interactive giraffes. Small buttons were replaced with larger switches so that children with limited hand mobility could use them independently.
“This is an event where we take toys typically meant for able-bodied children and make them more accessible by modifying them for children with hand disabilities or difficulty with fine motor skills,” said Angee Diaz, a junior biomedical engineering major and president of the 3D PATH Club. “It’s a good opportunity for students — not just from biomedical engineering, but from any major — to learn new skills, apply what they’ve studied, and connect with professionals who may one day be their employers.”
Now in its third year, the event draws participants from various academic backgrounds and combines technical training with community service. Last year, about 30 adapted toys were distributed to local organizations including United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island, AHRC, and Angela’s House. Diaz noted that holding the event near the holiday season helps ensure that adapted toys are delivered when they are most impactful.
Sam Crane, a senior biomedical engineering student who took part in this year’s adaptation project, said it highlighted how classroom learning can translate into meaningful community contributions. “The highlight was being able to take a toy and fully adapt it in one sitting so that it’s accessible to more kids,” Crane said. “You open the toy, solder in an extra wire, and attach an external button so a child who can’t grasp small objects can still use it. It makes what we learn in class feel meaningful.” Crane added that their career goal is to develop affordable assistive technology for people with disabilities.
Industry partners such as Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Regeneron, Brain Lab joined students at the event to offer mentorship during a networking lunch. Representatives from government offices—including those of State Senator Monica R. Martinez; Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay; Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne—and officials from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also attended. To recognize these efforts’ impact on Suffolk County residents living with disabilities or special needs, Legislator Dominick Thorne presented a Proclamation honoring both 3D PATH and Stony Brook’s Department of Biomedical Engineering.
“The mix of students, professionals, and policymakers creates a dynamic environment,” said Mei Lin (Ete) Chan, assistant professor of practice in biomedical engineering at Stony Brook University and faculty advisor to 3D PATH Club. “Students are contributing to the community while gaining exposure to industries connected to their studies.”
Jeff Cardillo—vice president and co-owner of TAP Electric—attended alongside several colleagues after learning about 3D PATH through Stony Brook’s Career Center. “It’s a great program and a great thing these students are doing,” he said. “They’re not just learning engineering; they’re learning to apply it in a way that helps people. That’s exactly the kind of mindset employers look for.” Cardillo added: “When we hire we look for people who have degree[s] [and] skills but also sense of purpose… Seeing students giving back tells you something about who they’ll be in workplace.”
Kirby Schneider—a graduate from Stony Brook’s Occupational Therapy program representing Children’s Center at UCP Long Island—emphasized how vital switch-adapted toys are for her school: “At our school switch-adapted toys are essential—they’re how our students interact with world… The toys made here go directly into classrooms like ours… They make real difference [for] our students.” Schneider described ongoing collaboration between engineers-in-training at Stony Brook University Research & Innovation programs such as EPICS (Engineering Projects In Community Service), Vertically Integrated Project Program (VIP), Center For Service Learning And Community Service—with future pilots planned—to further connect STEM/non-STEM majors around projects serving local communities.
“The event really captures what 3D PATH is about,” Chan said. “It combines engineering creativity service… Students see their skills can have immediate impact on someone’s life.”