by Brittni Carraway
MaxMods is a Colorado-based nonprofit who strive to 'make the world accessible for all' by identifying adaptations and modifications for individuals living with disabilities.
Every year, they host an event called Santa's Little Hackers. Santa's Little Hackers is a seasonal toy drive that provides adapted toys for Christmas to children and adults who use switches to activate toys and AAC devices.
Toys are rarely designed with the needs of those with different abilities in mind. MaxMods makes simple modifications to the electronics of toys so they can be enjoyed by children and adults with limited fine motor skills and physical abilities. Switch-adapted toys usually cost $50 to $100 per toy. MaxMods purchases an unadapted toy, adds a few dollars in parts and end up with a switch-adapted toy for a fraction of the cost.