Tetra works with parents, caregivers, health professionals, schools, daycares and toy libraries in order to create items that enable some of the very youngest members of society to interact with their parents, brothers and sisters, friends and schoolmates as independently as possible.

Tetra will often work with parents, who have a specific goal in mind (for example, to enable their child to study more comfortably or to play outdoors with friends during recess). At the same time, people often contact Tetra for more general information about assistive devices.

arents of newborn babies, or children otherwise recently diagnosed with a disability, will want to research their child’s needs as they grow. We are happy to work with parents, health professionals, teachers and care-givers to meet the needs of children as they develop.

 It is very important for all children to be able to interact. For the very smallest, this means toys, while for a slightly older age range you can add items that enable them to move through the world in some way. In addition, there have been many school-related projects that, for instance, enable improved communication with teachers and other children.

Overcoming barriers

Identify a challenge you/your child will want to overcome, then contact us – either through your local coordinator or directly at head office.

A volunteer will discuss your ideas and work with you to make sure the project meets your requirements.

What is possible

Our volunteer engineers and technicians work with families and professionals to give children with disabilities the opportunity to succeed.

These volunteers invent ‘gizmos’ that overcome barriers.

As an example of what’s possible, previous Tetra projects that directly relate to children include:

• Adding new, larger, on-off switches that enable a child to control a battery operated toy. Creating light boards and other devices that provide audio/visual stimulation.
• Desk adaptations: raised to allow wheelchair access, and/or with a half-moon cut-out so the pupil can sit with both hands on the tabletop. Other adaptations allow the option of sitting and standing.