Toys: some of our collection...

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.

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.

The toys and games displayed here have been collected as part of our work recording and archiving the experience of disabled people in society in the twentieth century.

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

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

figure&whitecane.jpg

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.

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.

Toys: some of our collection...

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.

​​​​​​​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.

The toys and games displayed here have been collected as part of our work recording and archiving the experience of disabled people in society in the twentieth century.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.