Disability Access, Inclusion, and Support (DAIS) Program end of year update
- Zoe Houstein
- Dec 22, 2025
- 10 min read
2025 is rolling to a close so we thought it was time to share an update on the activities, progress and latest achievements of the Toy Libraries Australia Disability Access, Inclusion, and Support (DAIS) Program.
Program highlight: National training weekend in Perth
In August, we were able to sponsor two people from each of the nine DAIS sites to attend Toy Library Australia’s national training weekend in Perth, Western Australia. We also invited the members of our National Disability Leaders Group to attend, and several were able to join us. It was a unique opportunity to gather key people working across the program, supporting its goals, in one place for a dynamic face-to-face exchange of ideas, resources, and storytelling. Many of the resources we will be developing in 2026 emerged from this event and we are grateful for the opportunity we had to make it happen.
How the DAIS team has supported toy libraries and families
Disability Awareness Training
Created a bespoke Disability Awareness Training workshop focusing on supporting children and families with disability and/or developmental delay. This was presented online on five occasions and will be developed further in 2026 with the intention of providing Toy Libraries Australia with an ‘evergreen’ self-paced training program that can be accessed through the new TLA Learning Centre.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program
Launched a one-year pilot of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program for up to 120 toy libraries from across Australia to join, with a possible second year if the pilot is beneficial.
Our collaboration with Scope
Worked in collaboration with Scope to create large format visual communication support resources. Chat and Play boards and Key Word Sign posters are being piloted in 14 toy libraries nationwide.
Melbourne Zoo Dream Day
Represented Toy Libraries Australia at the Melbourne Zoo Dream Day 2025 for children with disability and/or developmental delay. We were joined by Kathryn Williams from Little Buddies Toy Library (Wyndam) who is a member of the TLA National Disability Leaders Group and DAIS project site team member. Kathryn brought her extensive toy library experience and her genuine empathy for families to the day. Engaging directly with families at events like this gives us the opportunity to share information about the activities and supports being piloted at selected toy library sites and to build awareness of the ongoing work being done by Toy Libraries Australia to build accessibility and inclusion for all families.
The WA Supported Play Toy Library
Played a key role in securing an operating location, set up, and launch schedule for the WA Supported Play Toy Library (WA SP TL) in Perth.
Toy Libraries Australia Disability Inclusion Statement and Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Presented a discussion paper on the establishment of a Toy Libraries Australia Disability Inclusion Statement and Disability Inclusion Action Plan, to the Toy Library Australia Board and received unanimous support for the National Disability Leaders Group to work in collaboration with board members to scope the projects.
Sophie joined the DAIS team
Sophie Karavaras joined the team as the Allied Health Professionals Project Officer, to oversee several projects working with Allied Health Professionals, including a Victorian pilot inter-library borrowing service giving families access to specialist switch and adapted toys and play resources. This service was launched on December 1 involving the resources of Stonnington, Kingston, and Springvale toy libraries and will run for six months.
Development of new resources for toy libraries
Developed the Accessible Story Guide and template for distribution nationally to the toy library community.
Developed the Guide to Connecting with the Disability Community for distribution to selected toy libraries before national release in 2026.
DAIS Pilot Projects Across Australia
There are nine toy libraries delivering pilot projects that have been developed under three project designs:
Spaces and faces
Banking and bartering
Words and picture
Project Focus: Spaces and Faces
Tuart Forest Toy Library, WA
The Tuart Forest team in the Southwest of WA are bringing families together through Supported Borrowing sessions and Stay and Play activities run in partnership with PlayConnect+ and Bunbury Toy Library. These sessions are creating wonderful opportunities for families across the region to connect, share, and feel supported.
We understand that families with children who have additional needs—or multiple children needing extra support—often face unique and significant barriers in accessing the toy library, and so we have created new wayfinding signage, a regulation resources station complete with sensory toys and time timers and a Calm Corner space with bean bags and weighted lap blankets that children (and adults!) can use if they need a quiet moment during their visit.
We have also introduced a convenient Click and Collect service for PlayConnect+ members, making it easier for those families to access toys and meet with other families all at one location.
Learn more about Tuart Forest Toy Library: https://tftl.setls.com.au/
Kalamunda Toy Library, WA
At Kalamunda Toy Library, in the Perth Hills, we have been busy working on a range of accessibility and inclusion projects. One of our projects is to complete an audit of our toy catalogue with the expertise and guidance of a local Allied Health provider, Western Kids Health.
We are also improving our wayfinding with accessible signage and a refreshed logo (complete with our mascot, Quentin the Quenda) to make things clearer and more visually engaging, along with new identifying lanyards for our committee and volunteers to wear. Excitingly, we have been recognised as a Breastfeeding Friendly space by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
We faced a significant challenge this year as our council made the decision to mark our beloved building for demolition in the near future. As a result, our planned Physical Accessibility Audit had to be cancelled.
There are still many more key aspects of our project that we are moving ahead with, including both an audit and staff upskilling in Digital Accessibility. And on a playful note, planning is underway for an accessible Lego event in partnership with a neuro-affirming provider, which should be brick loads of fun!
Learn more about Kalamunda Toy Library: https://www.kalamundatoylibrary.com/
EarlyEd Cubby House Toy Library, NSW
On 16 July we celebrated our 45th birthday, marking the occasion with the exciting announcement of DAIS funding. Since then, we have reached out to four local Councils to share details of the project and arrange meetings.
A highlight was meeting with the Northern Beaches Deputy Mayor and Council staff to discuss ways to better support families with children with disabilities, securing collaboration and reviewing a potential venue at Dee Why. We also met with an Access consultant to scope our needs and have secured community support to fit out our new sheds in an accessible and safe way.
Planning is underway for mobile Play Stay Learn and Borrow Sessions, ensuring the next phase of our work is well prepared and responsive to community needs. Through this process, we are learning how many families are actively seeking support for their child and themselves, while others are unfamiliar with Toy Libraries and surprised such a service exists. We have also discovered strong interest from local libraries, who have requested more play sessions and opportunities for collaboration.
Learn more about Cubby House Toy Library: https://www.earlyed.com.au/our-services/toy-library/
Kingston Toy Library, VIC
It has been a busy and productive period with highlights including running a professional development session for the council’s facilitated playgroups team at the toy library and attending the NAIDOC Family Day with the local First Nations group in Mordialloc.
Practical improvements were made with reorganised lockers for our Out of Hours Click and Collect service and installed lockers at a second site at the Westall Community Hub. We launched evening supported sessions, and deepened conversations with council around signage, parking, and boards.
Finally, with members’ help, we created an allied health contact list to strengthen local connections and support families more effectively.
Learn more about Kingston Toy Library: https://www.kingstontoylibrary.com.au/
Grovedale Toy Library, VIC
We are delivering Supported Borrowing Sessions. We also hosted an Allied Health Open Afternoon and contributed to the Children’s Week Inclusive Event. To make our collection more accessible, we reorganised shelves and labelled boxes, and we were thrilled to welcome and train two new community volunteers. Each week we introduced “Toys of the Week” to spark play opportunities, while spreading the word widely through allied health networks, disability services, community organisations, local radio, and social media.
We also worked on updating a social story, collaborated with an OT to develop toy resources, and began planning photos, videos, and personal stories to help raise awareness. Along the way, we responded to community and professional enquiries, gathered feedback from parents and allied health professionals to guide future planning, and strengthened our internal communications to make sure program information is clear and easy to access.
Learn more about Grovedale Toy Library: https://www.grovedaletoylibrary.org.au/
Campbelltown Toy Library, SA
We hosted an evening event for local professionals working in the disability community. Seven people attended, leading to four membership sign-ups, providing a valuable networking opportunity. Work on wayfinding signage has progressed through consultation with the community, ensuring the design will meet accessibility needs.
Staff development has also been a focus, with three team members completing DAIS online training to strengthen inclusion practices.
Quiet Times sessions continue to run, offering families a calm environment to explore the toy library. Drop-in sessions have become increasingly popular, though it remains unclear whether families are specifically seeking quiet sessions or simply taking advantage of the extended opening hours. Outreach has expanded through four Kindy Delivery sessions, including a group of 15 children at Il Nido, and ongoing promotion directly to local therapists to build awareness and engagement.
Learn more about Campbelletown Toy Library: https://www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au/community/library/collections-and-resources/toy-library
Wyndham Little Buddies Toy Library, VIC
A hybrid pilot combining Spaces and Faces, and Banking and Bartering frameworks.
Families using the toy library as part of allied health services are finding real value in therapist-recommended toys, with pilot participants able to put these items on hold to support therapy and home practice. The supported borrowing sessions have been especially popular, offering a calm and unhurried environment where children can explore at their own pace and families feel comfortable without judgement. These quieter sessions also give us more time to connect with families, answer questions, and suggest toys that meet their needs.
On the membership side, we are simplifying options by introducing shorter-term memberships, increasing toy allowances, and combining fees into one easy price. We are also researching online payment platforms to ensure the system is simple, user-friendly, and efficient. While limited hours remain a challenge for some families balancing work, kinder, and therapy schedules, we are working to be more flexible and supportive—whether that’s extending loans for families with additional needs or sending quick check-in messages to ease the pressure.
Looking ahead, we will be more intentional in our conversations and continue offering toy holds for therapy and home practice, helping families feel supported every step of the way.
Learn more about Little Buddies Toy Library: https://www.littlebuddiestoylibrary.com.au/
Project Focus: Words and Pictures
Sunraysia Toy Library, VIC
Our all-volunteer team has been actively progressing a range of initiatives, including completing a communications audit, finalising the Inclusion Statement, and undertaking disability awareness training. Attendance at National Training and participation in the South-West WA and Perth Metro bus tours strengthened knowledge and networks.
The creation of a sub-committee to undertake workshops and the creation of a new accessible marketing and communications plan, marked an important step in shaping future outreach. Throughout these activities, the team has engaged closely with local professionals with the expertise needed to ensure the work is responsive, inclusive, and supportive of families in the community.
Learn more about Sunraysia Toy Library: https://mildura.mibase.com.au/home/index.php
Knox Toy Library, VIC
The past few months have seen some great progress behind the scenes. Our volunteer committee now has a smoother way of working together thanks to the set-up of Google Workspace for Not-for-Profits, with email addresses migrated and shared folders organised so everyone can access the same information easily.
A member survey has been completed, informing our plans moving forward. An internal and external communications review was completed, and a new accessible communications and marketing plan is well underway.
We have commissioned new Easy Read and Easy English versions of key member documents. Training has also been a focus, including child safety through the United Nations framework.
All this background work is building momentum for a big push that will showcase what has been achieved. There is a renewed energy across the committee, with more people pitching in, and outsourcing some tasks has helped make progress visible, giving everyone confidence as they see the vision coming together in clear, practical documents.
Learn more about Knox Toy Library: https://www.knoxtoylibrary.org.au/
Looking ahead
As we look ahead to 2026, we are excited to keep building on this work and sharing what we learn along the way.
Follow Toy Libraries Australia on social media to stay up to date with how the DAIS program continues to grow next year. You can read more about the DAIS program on our blog and follow your local toy libraries to see the incredible work they are doing in their communities every day.
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