Abbey Park High School Students Build Over 80 Devices for Children With Disabilities

Students at Abbey Park High School in Oakville recently demonstrated how technology and compassion can work hand-in-hand, building more than 80 devices for children with disabilities as part of the Hacking for the Holidays campaign.

The initiative saw students switch-adapt 42 toys and build 42 Interact Switches to accompany them. These devices were specifically designed to make play more accessible, and the finished products were donated to SickKids Hospital.

The build was part of a Makers Making Change STEM With Purpose workshop, which provides students with the opportunity to use their technical skills for community good.

This initiative aligns with the Halton District School Board’s 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, specifically the Learning, Engagement and Achievement and Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion commitments. By providing students with hands-on, real-world opportunities to solve accessibility challenges, the HDSB continues its commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower students to become empathetic global citizens who contribute positively to their communities.

The project brought together students with varying degrees of technical skills. While some Grade 9 students were soldering for the first time, senior computer engineering students were able to apply advanced knowledge to the assembly line.

Tara Ashley, a woodwork teacher and Head of Technology at Abbey Park, was impressed by how quickly the students took to the task.

“Some students assembled the plastic parts, some soldered the electronics and others handled quality control. They had to test every piece to ensure it worked, and if it didn’t, they had to take it apart and figure out why.”

For the students involved, the hands-on experience offered more than just a lesson in engineering; it provided a new perspective on accessibility and inclusive design.

"I loved working with the instructors. They taught me skills that I've never touched on before," says Daniel Xu, a Grade 11 student. 

Priyesh Anand, also in Grade 11, noted the practical importance of the work. "This experience showed me how important engineering and thoughtful design are in creating devices that improve the lives of children with disabilities," Anand says.

The workshop encouraged students to consider the lived experiences of those who use the technology they create – a sentiment echoed by Grade 11 student Elva Duan.

"Technology only truly advances the world when it is built through the lived experiences of everyone," says Duan. "It is vital that we have the hands-on experience to create tools that serve them best. By committing to their point of view today, we set the standard for an accessible tomorrow."

By the end of the day, the students had not only gained practical skills but had also deepened their connection to their community. 

Ashley particularly appreciates that the Makers Making Change STEM With Purpose workshops gave students to make a difference in their community.

“It's great to create opportunities for kids to do good things for other people,” says Ashley. “It's a great way for them to give back, and it just increases their level of empathy for people in their community.”