How must it feel to be the only child in your class to wear a hearing aid or use a wheelchair?
For disabled children, seeing themselves reflected in the toys that they and their friends play with can help combat isolation and build self-esteem.
Since the early 1900s toys have been used to explain medical procedures to children with disabilities. In the 1960s toy production began to reflect changing attitudes towards disability and toys designed purely for play became available.
Digital Disability collects toys as part of our work recording and archiving the experience of disabled people in society.
Disability and the Home: Toys and Games exhibition runs from Tuesday 17 January to Sunday 26 March 2023 at Museum of the Home 136 Kingsland Road London E2 8EA Entrance is free. #DisabilityandtheHome
Share a Smile Becky, Paralympian and Photographer by Mattel
Stephen Hawkins in Turbo Charged Flying Wheelchair. Featured in The Simpsons Animation Comedy. 20th Century Fox Television
(Note: Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) A Theoretical Physicist made four appearances on the Show as himself.)
Playmate Toys 2003
Commander Sam Shore Action Figure in Hover Chair
Featured in TV Series Stingray (UK 1964) the first Supermarionation for children's TV made by Matchbox 1964
WWI First World War period bisque / ceramic doll, Scottish Regiment soldier in full uniform with original WW1 miniature medals. The doll is supported by a crutch as he has one leg.
Measures approx; 25cm tall.
Edward Scissorhands play figure. Featured in film Edward Scissorhands 1990
Quasimodo soft cuddly toy from Disney animation 1996
Small play figure character with lamp and keys from a Kinder Egg.
Swashbuckle Pirate
Play figure Swashbuckle Pirate with flowing hair and cape.
Sea Captain. Carved wood figure of sea captain with peg leg.
Peri action figure with Sil and tank
Featured in Doctor Who TV BBC series 6th Doctor Who 1984-1986 ‘Vengeance on Varos’
Underground Toys 1985 Peri (Nicola Bryant) is the assistant to Doctor Who, Sil ( Nabil Shaban) is an alien. Underground Toys 1985.
Lakeshore 1994 educational toy figure with crutches
Lakeshore 1994 educational toy figure with calipers
Lakeshore 1994 educational toy figure with white cane
Lakeshore Education 1994 Solid plastic play figures
Bad Bob cuddly toy.
Bad Bob features in Rex The Runt Aardman claymation TV series 1998 about a flat purple dog Rex
and his friends.
