SANTA'S LITTLE HACKERS
Making fun accessible for all.
FAQs
Santa's Little Hackers will not be adapting and sending out toys in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These FAQs apply to typical years.
Toy Recipients:
Who qualifies for one of your switch adapted toys?
Most individuals who qualify for switch adapted toys are unable to activate an unadapted toy themselves due to significant physical impairments. These individuals may use a switch or switches to access a speech generating device or are beginning to use switches to activate cause/effect activities. Watch this short video to see the types of toys we adapt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJcDRP8j1zQ
How can I register to receive a switch adapted toy?
We provide adapted toys for Christmas to children and adults who use switches to activate toys and AAC devices. Due to COVID-19, we canceled our Santa's Little Hackers event for 2020 and will not be sending our toys for 2020. You can read more about it here.
https://mailchi.mp/maxmods/2020-announcement
We are providing our new Banana Pie Accessible Switches in places of toys for 2020.
Apply for a Banana Pie Accessible Switch here.
Mailing list:
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/santashackers/
I live outside of the United States, can I still request a switch adapted toy?
Yes, we send our adapted toys outside of the United States. Please understand that while we will try our best to ship early enough, we do not guarantee they will arrive before Christmas since we adapt our toys each year in December and then ship them. The recipient of an international shipment bears any cost of import taxes, customs duties and fees, which are levied once a shipment reaches the recipient's country as our organization does not have an ability to predict nor fund these costs.
Do you have a mailing list?
You can get on our mailing list in order to receive updates about us, and follow us on Facebook.
Santa's Little Hackers Mailing List
I am a teacher/therapist and want to receive toys for my clinic/classroom. How do I sign up?
We don't supply our adapted toys to schools, charity organizations, assistive technology agencies, or clinics. We encourage therapists and teachers to apply for their students/clients to have a toy delivered to their homes.
Can I buy one of your switch adapted toys?
We do not sell our adapted toys but give them away at Christmas to a set number of applicants based on the number of donations we receive.
I donated to Santa's Little Hackers, will this ensure my child received a switch adapted toy?
If you believe in the good work we are doing and want to donate, we will gratefully accept your donation to provide toys to children and adults with disabilities. However, this will not ensure your child receives an adapted toy. We believe each child deserves an equal chance at getting an adapted toy and not every family has the financial means to donate in return for a switch adapted toy.
Will you adapt a specific toy for me if I send it in?
We don't offer this service at this time.
I don't like the switch adapted toy my child got from you, can I replace it?
We do our best to match up toys with each recipient based on the information you provide to us. Please notify us if you believe the adapted toy you received was a mistake. (example: a baby toy for an adult, or your toy arrived not working.) All of our toys are donated, and volunteers adapt, package, and ship the toys. We do not have a surplus to trade out toys.
Do your toys work with any switch?
Our adapted toys are adapted to work with a variety of different accessible switches with a 3.5mm male jack.
Do you give accessible switches with the toys?
Our adapted toys do not come with a switch, as everyone has different needs regarding the switch that works best for them.
Toy Makers:
I was at one of the Santa's Little Hackers events and want to adapt more toys. Can I have the instructions you use at your adaption events?
We do not have instructions available for distribution but may look at making some available in the future.
How do I hold a Santa's Little Hackers by MaxMods event?
We will not be holding any events outside of the Denver metro area because of cost, liability issues, and quality control concerns. We will continue our annual December event in Colorado put on by MaxMods.
Both of the names, MaxMods and Santa's Little Hackers, are trademarked names by our organization. Permission is not granted to use the names or images to conduct events, trainings or fundraisers without our prior consent.
MaxMods Trademark Status:
https://goo.gl/5tXN3Q
Santa's Little Hackers Trademark Status:
https://goo.gl/LHYkot
Will you teach me how to adapt toys?
You can view our video tutorials on our Youtube channel.
Can I bring my child to the toy making event?
Our toy making events are not for young children. We use equipment that heats to 750° F, power tools, and sharp objects as part of the toy adaptation. As such, we do not allow children to participate.
High school students, 14 years old and up, are allowed to participate but must have a signed waiver from the parent or legal guardian before participating.
What is MaxMods and how is it associated with Santa's Little Hackers?
Santa's Little Hackers is an annual event put on by MaxMods. MaxMods is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) registered public charity organization chartered to 'make the world accessible for all' by identifying adaptations and modifications to make the world work for individuals living with disabilities.
I have some used battery operated toys I want to send you, where can I send them?
Thank you for thinking of us.
Our address is: P.O. Box 351402, Westminster, CO 80035-1402
We only send out new switch adapted toys to our recipients because so many of our recipients have compromised immunities. Any used toys we receive are used to teach our volunteers how to adapt toys. These toys will then be given to schools and clinics to be used with multiple kids.
I have old switches we don't use anymore, where can I send them?
We can always use old switches! Our address is: P.O. Box 351402, Westminster, CO 80035-1402
Organization:
Is Santa's Little Hackers by MaxMods a 501(c)(3)?
We are a registered public charity organization as described in Section501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Does Santa's Little Hackers discriminate in regards to who is eligible for a toy?
MaxMods and Santa’s Little Hackers does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, language, religion (creed), gender identity or expression, age, national origin (ancestry), residence or domicile, immigration status, diagnosis, disability, nature of illness, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
What does Santa's Little Hackers do with my personal information?
MaxMods and Santa's Little Hackers considers your personal information to be extremely sensitive. The data is gathered to assist us in providing the best toy or device to the recipients. After toy assignments are completed, the minimal amount of information is retained for shipping purposes and all other data is anonymized. MaxMods and Santa's Little Hackers only retains personal information when you have provided your consent which can be withdrawn at any time. Our privacy policy is posted for review at this LINK.
Donations:
Is my donation tax deductible?
A contribution receipt which includes our 501(c)(3) information will be provided for every donation received. Please consult a tax advisor regarding the deductibility of your gift.
Who can I contact about company matching donation?
You can email us at contact@maxmods.org and we will work with your company about gift matching.
Who can I contact about becoming a corporate sponsor or making a large donation?
You can email us at contact@maxmods.org and we will work with you about becoming a corporate sponsor.
I don't want to donate online, can I send a check?
Yes! You can send checks to our address:
P.O. Box 351402, Westminster, CO 80035-1402