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University of North Florida students building Bluetooth-enabled cars for kids with disabilities

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Students at the University of North Florida are building specialized car toys for children with disabilities.

The class is made up of a mix of engineering and physical therapy majors who are involved in the adaptive toy project, which is now in its sixth year.

Students said the project is fun and fulfilling.

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This year’s project is unique in that the cars will be equipped with Bluetooth technology, so the parents can control it.

Kelsey Butler said it will make the toy safer for the children.

“They’re going to have an application on their phone that’s going to override whatever the child is doing with the car," Butler said. “The child is going a little too fast, then the parent can slam on the brakes for them.”

Graduate student Abbey Fraser said each car is customized to the fit the child’s needs.

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Her group is designing the car for a 5-year-old girl with an incomplete spinal cord injury.

“We’re adding in different seat modifications and then actually a tray, like a high chair, so she will have more support for her arms,” Fraser said.

The cars will be gifted to the children and families in December.

UNF is holding a Trunk or Treat fundraiser for the Adaptive Toy Project from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in Lot 5, next to the UNF Student Wellness Complex.

The event will feature live music, raffles, a costume contest and more.

The goals is to raise $20,000, with all donations going to help children with disabilities have a good time through adaptive play.

PAST UNF ADAPTIVE TOY PROJECTS:

2014: UNF students rip apart toys, rebuild them to help disabled children
2015: UNF's Adaptive Toy Program makes toys accessible for all children
2016: Children with disabilities get early Christmas gifts from UNF's one-of-a-kind program
2017: University of North Florida students deliver adaptive toys for kids
2018: UNF engineer, physical therapy students team up to adapt life-changing toys