Easterseals Announces National Initiative to Identify Best Accessible Toys

Easterseals, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities and their families, today announced the launch of a new national initiative to identify the best accessible toys and video games for the 2025 holiday season. This effort will highlight toys that are thoughtfully designed for children and adults with disabilities.

As part of this effort, Easterseals has developed a structured review and selection process in partnership with disability advocates from across its national network. The resulting list, to be released in Fall 2025, will serve as a trusted holiday guide for families, educators, therapists, and retailers seeking toys that are fun, functional, and accessible.

“Play is fundamental to every child’s development—but too many toys still present barriers for children with disabilities,” said Kendra Davenport, Easterseals President and CEO. “With this initiative, we aim to change that by highlighting toys that reflect the full range of how kids and adults move, think, communicate, and engage with the world.”

The organization has issued a formal Request for Information (RFI) to toy manufacturers and trade associations nationwide, seeking nominations of toys that feature universal design elements—such as large buttons, textured surfaces, adaptable controls, or features that support play across a range of developmental areas such as communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social. Submissions are due by July 11, 2025.

Toy selections will be reviewed by a volunteer panel that includes parents, occupational therapists, and individuals with lived disability experience. Final selections will be announced as part of a national media campaign in November 2025.