Join the Disability, Access, Inclusion, and Support program as a project site

Working together to make toy libraries a better place for all families 

Image description: Two boys are engaged in play. One is holding maracas, and the other, seated in a wheelchair, is playing a colourful xylophone. Bright abstract splashes of green and orange add vibrancy to the design on navy blue background. Featuring the text: "Join the Disability, Access, Inclusion, and Support program as a project site" displayed in three colourful blocks (blue, green, and orange).

Article key points (TL;DR):

• The DAIS program is ready to put its market and university research into action to help shape the future of inclusive toy libraries. 

• We are inviting all toy libraries to get involved by becoming one of our 9 project sites for the program. 

• Express your interest by emailing us at daisteam@toylibraries.org.au  

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We dream of a world where every family has access to inclusive, welcoming, and supportive spaces that help children thrive through the joy of play. The Disability Access, Inclusion, and Support (DAIS) program is a step toward making this dream a reality. By working together, we aim to create accessible toy libraries that better serve all families, particularly those with children with disabilities. 

This program builds on the amazing foundations already laid by toy libraries across the country. Toy libraries have long been a cornerstone of community support, providing children with opportunities to learn, grow, and connect through play. Through DAIS, we aim to extend this even further, helping toy libraries reach more families and remove barriers to participation. 

What we’ve achieved so far

Over the past five months, we’ve worked closely with families, caregivers, and early childhood professionals, to better understand the needs of our communities. 

• Research and Focus Groups: With guidance from Prof. Christine Johnston at Western Sydney University, we conducted nationwide surveys and in-depth focus groups to gather valuable insights, as well as our own independent surveys and focus groups facilitated by the DAIS team.  
  

• Collaboration and Planning: We’ve formed an advisory group of experts, toy library community representatives, and stakeholders to ensure the program plan deals with real-world challenges and opportunities.  

This research has laid the groundwork for meaningful change and now, we’re ready to take the next step. 

About the projects 

We are excited to announce the launch of three projects designed to improve accessibility and inclusion in toy libraries.  

We will work with 9 participating toy library sites to test run one of 3 project ideas. These projects have been determined by the market and university research we facilitated last year. The findings from each project will shape strategies, training, and resources to support all toy libraries moving forward. 

These projects will explore: 

1. Spaces and Faces: Making toy libraries more welcoming and accessible through physical and experiential improvements.  
   

2. Banking and Bartering: Creating flexible membership options to reduce barriers and make participation easier for all families.  
   

3. Words and Pictures: Enhancing communication to ensure every family feels informed and included. 
   

These projects are an opportunity to build on what toy libraries are already doing so well and to explore new ways of supporting families. Importantly, this is a chance to test ideas in real-world settings and learn together. 

Funding for this two-year project is being provided by the Australian Government.

Download Project Site Information Sheet

How your toy library can get involved

If your toy library is interested in helping shape the future of inclusive services, we would love to hear from you! Email us at daisteam@toylibraries.org.au. 

Participating doesn’t mean starting from scratch; we’ll work with you to build on what’s already in place, and we’ll provide flexible support to make this process manageable. This is about discovering ways to make things better for your community. 

Questions? Let’s Talk

We know you might have questions, and we’re here to answer them. Below are some of the most common questions we’ve heard so far:

What kind of support will we receive as a participating toy library for the duration of the project? 

Participating libraries will receive guidance, training, resources, and funding tailored to their needs. 

How long will the project run for? 

From 6-12 months, dependent on the project plan and the needs of the toy library. 

How much time will our toy library need to commit? 

We’ll work with your schedule to make participation manageable, understanding that many toy library teams are run by volunteers. 

What happens after the completion of the project? 

The findings from each project will shape strategies, training, and resources to support all toy libraries moving forward. We will support you to exit the project or support you to extend the project.  

For example:  

• If we support you to install a temporary ramp for accessibility, we will work together to seek funding and liaise with your local council or building manager to construct a permanent fixture.   

• If we work with you to run Stay and Play sessions that you then cannot continue beyond the program, we will support you to seek further ongoing funding. If a source of continued funding is not able to be obtained, we can assist with providing communications to attending families as to why the Stay and Play is unable to continue. 

Have more questions?

Email us at daisteam@toylibraries.org.au. We’d love to hear from you!