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Toys R Us Offers Guide for Differently-Abled Kids
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 Choosing the right toy for any child can be difficult, but parents and friends of children with disabilities often face even more daunting decisions. Beyond the usual search for the most popular toy, friends and families of children with special needs often find themselves in a quandary about which toy is most appropriate for their child. They often wonder if a toy that other kids have can be appropriate for their child, or whether that child needs something specific to his or her disability. But most of all, they wonder if anyone out there can help.Well, someone can and has. Toys R Us has just released the eighth edition of its award-winning Toys R Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. The guide is a free catalog that provides recommendations of toys for children with special needs, including information about the play attributes the toys provide. Featured on this year's cover is actor Chris Burke, a star of the former ABC series ``Life Goes On,'' and the goodwill ambassador of the National Down Syndrome Society, along with some of his differently-abled friends. ``I was delighted when my friends at Toys R Us asked me to appear on the cover of the Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids,'' said Burke. ``I know how important it is for kids with different abilities to have the opportunity to play with the same toys that everyone else has. Toys help kids to dream and to imagine. And who knows -- the right toy might just inspire kids to do things they never thought they could do,'' he added. With the help of the National Lekotek Center, a nonprofit organization that makes play accessible for children with disabilities, every toy featured in the catalog was evaluated and categorized based on its developmental and educational benefits. Small symbols next to each item indicate the play attributes that each toy provides, while product descriptions further explain how the toy can best be used to enrich the child's play experience. ``It's all about play at Lekotek,'' said Beth Boosalis Davis, Executive Director of the National Lekotek Center. ``It is our hope that the Toys R Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids will continue to foster the importance of accessible play for children with special needs and enable families, friends and professionals to select toys that bring alive the joy of play for children as well as encourage their development and learning.'' ``Toys R Us is very proud of the Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids,'' added the company's chief executive officer, John Eyler. ``We know that toys play a major role in a child's development. It's important that every child have an opportunity to play with the toy that's right for him or her. Very simply, toys create magic for children. And what could be better than making a little magic for a child?'' Toys featured in the Toys R Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids are available at the company's retail stores nationwide or on the Internet at http://www.toysrus.com. This catalog is available at all Toys R Us stores, through the National Parent Network on Disabilities or by calling 888-869-7932. Toys R Us -- The world's leading resource for kids, families and fun currently operates 1,559 stores: 707 toy stores in the United States; 474 international toy stores, including franchise stores; 200 Kids R Us children's clothing stores; 138 Babies R Us stores; and 40 Imaginarium stores. The company also sells merchandise through its Internet sites at http://www.toysrus.com, http://www.imaginarium.com, http://www.babiesrus.com and through mail order catalogs. SOURCE: Toys R Us [Posted 10/13/2000]
  
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