Toys R Us "gets it"

How many parents spend hours roaming through the rows of toys and games at Toys R Us wondering which toy might be "the toy" for your child?  What if your child is differently abled?  How do you choose a toy appropriate for your child?  Toys R Us has created a guide to assist parents and care givers choose toys and games to help their child grow.  I love this that this catalogue shows real kids with disabilities as models in the catalog.  Toys R Us, you rock.

This week, fans of Eva Longoria and consumers will see her appear alongside her newest co-star, Elijah De La Cerda, a 5-year-old boy with Down syndrome from Fresno, CA, on the cover of the Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. This complimentary toy-selection resource for parents and caregivers of children with special needs is now available in Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide. A digital version of the Guide is also available online at Toysrus.com/DifferentlyAbled in English and Spanish.

Ongoing Support for the Special Needs Community

Toys"R"Us and the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund together are extremely proud of their ongoing support of organizations that advocate for children with special needs. Grant recipients for 2011 include the following leading national organizations.

American Society for Deaf Children - www.deafchildren.org

The American Society for Deaf Children supports and educates families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and advocates for high quality programs and services.

Autism Speaks - www.autismspeaks.org

Autism Speaks is North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) -www.chadd.org

Founded in 1987, CHADD provides education, advocacy and support for individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Muscular Dystrophy Association - www.mda.org

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

National Down Syndrome Society - www.ndss.org

The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities.

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children - www.nfb.org/NOPBC

The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children is made up of families, teachers, and friends of blind children reaching out to each other to offer vital support, encouragement, and information. Through seminars, training, advocacy, a national magazine, and a positive attitude toward blindness and the abilities of blind people, NOPBC fulfills its mission to create a climate of opportunity for blind children at home, in school, and in the community.

Special Olympics - www.specialolympics.org

Special Olympics is an international movement dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport, thereby creating communities of joy, acceptance and dignity.

Spina Bifida Association - www.spinabifidaassociation.org

The Spina Bifida Association is the nation's only national voluntary health agency dedicated to serving the needs of the more than three quarters of a million people who comprise the Spina Bifida Community. The Spina Bifida Association serves its community through education, research, services and advocacy.

United Cerebral Palsy - www.ucp.org

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) works to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through its international affiliate network. Founded in 1949, today UCP is one of the nation's leading organizations serving and advocating for the more than 54 million Americans with disabilities.

2010
Holly Robinson Peete
Actress, Author
and Philanthropist

2009
Whoopi Goldberg
Comedian/Host of The View

2008
Meredith Vieira
Host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire

2007
Maria Shriver
Author and First Lady of California

2004
Dionne Quan
Voice of Kimi
on the Rugrats

2003
John Ritter
Actor

2002
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Poet/Author/2002 Muscular Dystrophy
Association Goodwill Ambassador

2001
Maria Shriver
Author and First Lady of California

2000
Chris Burke
Actor, Spokesperson for the National Down Syndrome Society

1999
Doug Flutie
Buffalo Bills Quarterback

1998
Marlee Matlin
Actress

1996
Heather Whitestone
1995 Miss America

1995
Jim Abbott
Major Leagur Pitcher