TUET (Toys & games Usability Evaluation Tool) is a method of analysis to evaluate play materials by considering the physical characteristics that are appropriate for children with hearing, visual, or upper-limb motor impairments.
Based on Universal Design principles, this unique tool helps children with the widest range of abilities to play for the sake of play with easily accessible and usable toys and games. A quick analysis with TUET makes the identification of such play materials possible.
TUET is designed for toy companies, for education and rehabilitation professionals, toy librarians, teachers and parents to help them design, select and adapt toys and games to the needs of all children, including those with hearing, visual or motor impairments.
To design inclusive toys and games
To identify and select inclusive toys and games
To understand the needs of children with disabilities
It evaluates the usability and accesibility of toys and games considering three impairments: Hearing, Visual, and Upper-limb Motor.
After reading the detailed instructions on how to use the tool, there are three steps:
Define the purpose and intended user of the toy/game
Indicate the type and level of impairment of the intended user
Answer each question on the tables, calculate results and evaluate the toy/game
TUET has been translated into different languages to be used by experts, teachers, parents, designers, engineers and companies from different countries around the world.
These translations were validated in relevant institutions in each country, acording to the terms and conditions defined by the Authors and the Publisher.
Maria Costa, PhD, has been head of the Children’s Research Department at the European Technological Institute of Children’s Products and Leisure (AIJU, Spain) since 1992. She has directed many research projects in the areas of play, toys and games, children’s development, inclusive products, disabilities needs, etc. She has been the coordinator of the AIJU Toys and Games Guide publication for 30 years, analysing more than 4,000 toys and games with children.
Odile Périno has been a play, toys and games specialist for 30 years and she is attached to the FM2J, Play Training Centre (www.fm2j.com). She has founded several play centres, always with an inclusive orientation related to children with disabilities. She defined and published the original concept of “play framework” for setting up play spaces inside toy libraries, rehabilitation centres, schools and institutions in France.
Sylvie Ray-Kaeser is an Occupational Therapist. She has worked for over 20 years in clinical and community-based child and family intervention teams, specialising in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Since 2008, she has been an Associate Professor at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, School of Social Work and Health, Occupational Therapy Department in Lausanne.
Maria Costa, Odile Perino and Sylvie Ray-Kaeser are management committee members of the European COST Action TD1309 LUDI “Play for children with disabilities” (2014-2018).
TUET represents the final result of a research activity that combined the professional experience of the two important institutions in Europe in the field of toy accessibility and usability -AIJU in Spain and FM2J in France-. Together with the expertise on children’s requirements of HES-SO EESP in Switzerland.
This tool was developed and validated in seven European countries by experts from the COST Action TD1309, LUDI “Play for children with disabilities”, between March 2017 and April 2018.
© AIJU, TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS & LEISURE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
