Gift ideas for children, adults with disabilities

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As we head into the busy shopping season, be sure to remember your loved ones who live with a disability.

To make your gift-giving easier, some local organizations are making recommendations that are sure to be a hit.

It might seem challenging to pick the perfect toy for a child with a disability or to select a gift for an aging relative that will be enjoyable - and beneficial. But with a few gift guidelines, that could all change.

Camilla Deleon has a rare syndrome that causes delayed growth and development among other issues.

"Camilla, she wouldn't move at all. And now she moves all over the place. So it's nice to see those progresses," said Sandra Tobar.

The 2-year-old lights up as much as this robot when she sees him put on his show. That's one of the reasons the Fisher Price Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo made it on the National Lekotek Center's recommended toy list this year.

"The National Lekotek Center works with families who have children with disabilities or special needs and what we do is we use play and toys to help a child reach their developmental milestones," said Jean Bailey, director, National Lekotek Center.

For the past 19 years, the non-profit has worked with Toys "R" Us to recommend toys that are inclusive for children with disabilities. They are always on the lookout for toys that will advance a child's development.

"The thing that stands out for us with this toy is that there are different ways to move his trunk that allows the balls to stay in place or to fly all over the place," said Ahren Hoffman, National Lekotek Center. "So that's really helpful for kids that need different types of accessibility in how far away that ball is going for them to be able to reach it."

At the Chicago Lighthouse, experts say there are new innovations in every price range that can make life easier for people who have low vision or are legally blind. Their store boasts some 900 items for use in every room of the house.

Some of the most in-demand items include talking clocks and watches as well as tablets and computers with high-tech video magnifiers.

"These things are fairly new to many people so they don't know they are out there, but there's a solution for everybody," said Tom Perski, Chicago Lighthouse.

RESOURCES

The complete "Toys 'R' Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids": http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3261680.

The National Lekotek Center: www.lekotek.org, toy rating system: www.ableplay.org.

Chicago Lighthouse: http://chicagolighthouse.org/.