Toys 'R' Us Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids Makes Holiday Shopping Easier Than Ever for Children With Special Needs.

PARAMUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 1999--

Guide Helps Family And Friends Select Toys That Enhance Specific

Developmental Skills For Children With Disabilities

Just in time for the holidays, Toys "R" Us has released its seventh annual Toys "R" Us Toy Guide For Differently Abled Kids. Through its partnerships with the National Lekotek Center and the National Parent Network on Disabilities, Toys "R" Us developed and distributed this digest-sized catalog -- the ideal resource for parents, family members and friends who don't know what to get for a child with special needs. It features more than 60 popular toys and will be available on November 1st at Toys "R" Us stores or by calling 1-800-732-3298 (TDD/TYY calls 1-888-859-8011).

As the father of a child with autism, NFL Superstar Doug Flutie is featured on the cover of this year's guide with his son, Doug Flutie Jr. When the boy's condition was diagnosed in 1995, Flutie used half of his signing bonus from the Buffalo Bills to establish the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism -- a foundation that generates funds for autism research and education and provides financial assistance to families raising children with autism. Flutie has become an advocate, not only for children faced with disabilities such as autism, but for their parents as well.

Because every differently-abled child is unique and has specific needs, each toy in the Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids is evaluated and assigned a symbol that indicates what skill it helps enhance - auditory, language, visual, tactile, gross motor, social skills, self-esteem, creativity and thinking. Depending on a child's abilities, parents, grandparents and friends can select toys that will help encourage the specific skills for that child. For instance, the Tech-Link Aviator 500 Electronic Headsets featured in the guide enhance social, auditory and language skills. Children who have limited mobility will be able to join in on games of treasure hunt, airline pilot and other imaginative play. This toy promotes social interaction and gives children opportunities to have fun while developing speaking and listening skills.

The toys featured in the Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids have been extensively evaluated and specifically chosen by the National Lekotek Center for promoting the development of children with physical and cognitive disabilities. The National Lekotek Center is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to making the world of play accessible to children with all types of disabilities so they can learn just like any other child. Each toy in the Guide has a strong play value and is chosen for its developmental and educational attributes.

"Toys play an important part in a child's development," says Michael Goldstein, CEO of Toys "R" Us. "There are so many toys out there to choose from that it can be very intimidating for parents and friends of children with disabilities to choose a toy that is appropriate and enjoyable for that child. Toys `R' Us believes in the benefits children derive from toys, but we also have a strong commitment to the health and welfare of children. That's why we are so pleased to offer this guide every year as a free resource to anyone who needs it."

"Kids with disabilities love to play. They learn and build skills through play, just like other kids," says David Rubovits, Ph.D., Director of Applied Research and Evaluation of the National Lekotek Center. "With the Toys `R' Us Guide for Differently Abled Kids in the hands of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, caregivers, and others who care about kids with disabilities, we hope that children's access to appropriate toys will increase. The Toys `R' Us Differently Abled Guide can help bring the magic of play - and the learning that happens with play - to some very treasured children."

"As parents of an autistic son, we realize that having special toys for Dougie will help him develop both physically and mentally. This guide provides educational toys that have been specifically chosen for our son and other children with special needs," says Doug Flutie.

Each toy in the Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids is available in Toys "R" Us stores nationwide, or through its mail order catalog. Once shoppers select the ideal toy, they may visit a Toys "R" Us store, place the order by mail, log on to www.toysrus.com, or call 888-333-4108 to purchase the gift.

Previous covers of the Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids featured celebrities such as actress Marlee Matlin; former Miss America, Heather Whitestone; and baseball player, Jim Abbott.

Toys "R" Us, the world's leading resource on kids, families and fun currently operates 1,522 stores; 706 toy stores in the United States, 445 international toy stores, including franchise stores, 206 Kids "R" Us children's clothing stores, 121 Babies "R" Us stores and 44 Imaginarium stores. The company also sells merchandise through the Internet at www.toysrus.com, www.imaginarium.com and mail order catalogs.

The National Lekotek Center of Evanston, IL is a non-profit organization with a national network of 50 affiliates that promote access to play for children with special needs, and access to supportive services for their families. For more information on toys, play and technology for children with disabilities, please contact the Lekotek Toy Resource Helpline at 1-800-366-PLAY or visit our website at www.lekotek.org.