SANTA'S LITTLE HACKERS
Making fun accessible for all.
®
FAQs
Toy Recipients:
Who qualifies for one of your switch adapted toys?
We supply switch-adapted toys to individuals with disabilities who need assistive technology to engage in play.
Most individuals who qualify for switch adapted toys are unable to activate an unadapted toy themselves due to significant physical or developmental disabilities. These individuals may use an accessible 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 supply switch-adapted toys to individuals with disabilities who need assistive technology to engage in play.
The registration link will go live on our main page each October 15th for ONE WEEK ONLY.
Who is eligible to apply?
-
Parents, guardians, legal representatives can apply for their eligible individuals to receive a switch adapted toy.
-
We supply switch adapted toys to individuals of all ages, who have disabilities and need assistive technology to engage in play.
-
If you are unsure whether an adapted toy is appropriate, you may wish to ask your child’s speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, special education professional, or another member of their care team for guidance.
-
Registration is not first come, first served. After registration closes, eligible applications are entered into a random selection process. The number of individuals selected depends on the number of adapted toys we are able to provide that year. Registering does not guarantee that an individual will be selected to receive a toy.
I live outside of the United States, can I still request a switch adapted toy?
We do our best to ship internationally, but international shipping is not guaranteed. Changing international trade requirements, tariffs, customs requirements, and other shipping restrictions may affect whether we are able to ship to certain locations.
The recipient is responsible for any import taxes, customs duties, tariffs, or other fees charged by their country. MaxMods is not able to predict or cover these costs.
European Union: We are currently unable to ship to the European Union while we work to understand and meet the requirements of the EU’s General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) and related import requirements.
If you have experience with EU imports, customs, GPSR compliance, or international shipping and would be willing to help us understand these requirements, please contact us at contact@maxmods.org.
Do you have a mailing list?
You can get on our mailing list in order to receive updates about us, and follow us on social media.
Santa's Little Hackers Mailing List
I am a teacher/therapist and want to receive toys for my clinic or classroom. How do I sign up?
We do not supply our adapted toys to clinics or classrooms.
Teachers, therapists, educators, and medical professionals are welcome to help a parent, guardian, or legal representative complete an application, but they cannot submit an application on the recipient’s behalf.
*NOTE* We are no longer able to accept applications submitted by therapists, educators, or medical professionals on behalf of their students or clients due to the evolving privacy regulations. This restriction stems from our policy to accept or process personally identifiable information solely with the explicit consent of a parent, guardian, or legal representative.
Can I buy one of your switch adapted toys?
We do not sell our adapted toys. They are provided free of charge to selected recipients, thanks to donations from our supporters.
We can provide as many adapted toys as donations allow. Every donation helps us provide more toys to individuals who need accessible switch access to play.
I donated to Santa's Little Hackers, will this ensure my child receives a switch adapted toy?
Donating does not guarantee that a specific individual will receive a toy. Our adapted toys are distributed through a random selection process, and the number of individuals selected depends on how many toys we are able to provide that year.
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. And all of our toys will work with our MaxMods Banana Pie Accessible Switch.
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 a catalog of all the toys we've adapted at our events available at this time. However, our instructionals page offers a variety of toy adaption videos.
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.
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 instructional page.
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 can use these toys for our Max's Toybox program!
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.
Our anti-discrimination policy:
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