Impact Report 2024
Highlights, Innovations, and Our Plans for the Future
Our Mission: To make walking safer for blind toddlers.
Vision:
Safe Toddles envisions a world where all toddlers with a mobility visual impairment or blindness move safely and confidently, protected by assistive safety devices that support their confidence, independence, and development.
Table of Contents
Dear Partners and Friends,
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This is an exciting time at Safe Toddles. Safe mobility is now being recognized as a medical necessity for blind toddlers to walk. We are the only organization that has successfully innovated the white cane so blind toddlers can feel the protection of a cane and learn to navigate by touch. Backed by an amazingly gifted Board of Directors, Medical Advisory Committee, Community Advisors and with support from our Sustaining Members and our SafeT Society, Safe Toddles has been able to successfully apply modern engineering principles to make walking safer for blind toddlers.​​​
In our first eight years we have provided Pediatric Belt Canes to thousands of families in need. Also, medical and education professionals' nonbiased research studies have consistently shown that Pediatric Belt Canes significantly improves early childhood development in toddlers with a congenital and early on-set blindness or mobility visual impairment.
We have built and delivered education and training resources. We have continued to improve our manufacturing processes and innovate our designs to serve even more children. All along the way, our incredibly supportive membership has been there, cheering us on. Our goal is growth so that we can positively impact the lives of hundreds more families.
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​One major driver of our coming expansion is our bold Global Public Awareness campaign with the amazing leadership of Joy and Boysie Bollinger and our new partnership with The Ehrhardt Group. We have a dynamic vision to reach 300 families a month who need our help. You can read more about this initiative in this Impact Report.​
Steady positive growth is happening at Safe Toddles, and your generous support has helped to make it possible. In fiscal year 2024, our team provided 12% more children with our life-changing Pediatric Belt Canes. Over the same period, the number of volunteers helping our mission more than doubled. We have prioritized accessibility and inclusion for our community and for those around the world, through accessible materials, Spanish speaking staff support, on-line and in person workshops, and outreach to schools. You can read about many of these projects in this Impact Report.
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Safe Toddles has remained focused on empowering families and professionals with a clear sense of purpose, to make walking safer for their children. In this report, we feature several remarkable congenitally blind children who have made important developmental strides since their families began including a Pediatric Belt Cane in their daily routines. Mindy Jones, a mother of three in Lake Tahoe, reached out to us when her son, Maddox, born mobility visually impaired, was two years old. She and the physical therapist were concerned that he wasn't walking. Included in this report is a conversation between her and Maddox's O&M specialist featuring videos from his six years of wearing Pediatric Belt Canes.
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This report, recent publications, and our social media contain multiple examples of how families and professionals employed Pediatric Belt Canes to improve the safety of their children’s mobility. These children are unique in so many ways, but they all share the bond of needing tactile protection and information to thrive and overcome their natural inhibitions to reach new goals. We are privileged to be their partners in their achievements. Our outlook is optimistic, because we know that with your help, we can reach even more children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness and make a difference in their lives, too.
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In partnership,
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Joy and Boysie Bollinger
Lead Global Public Awareness
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Mission Leaders
Global Public Awareness
Joy and Boysie Bollinger, philanthropists and longtime advocates for children with disabilities, have made a transformative gift to fund our global public awareness initiative for the Pediatric Belt Cane, ensuring a profound and lasting impact in the lives of children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness.
Their support will also help us reach our goal of distributing 300 Pediatric Belt Canes per month and fully-funding them for families in need.
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We are honored to welcome Joy and Boysie Bollinger as Safe Toddles’ Exclusive Mission Leaders for Global Public Awareness. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Joy and Boysie for their dedication to helping us create enduring positive change in the lives of children with disabilities and their families worldwide.
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In 2025, we will reorganize our website and intensify our efforts to reach out to families and their pediatric ophthalmologists, physical therapists, early intervention providers, and especially their orientation and mobility specialists. The Pediatric Belt Cane early intervention strategy is the best way forward for toddlers born with a mobility visual impairment or blindness.
​With Joy and Boysie's help many more families will receive the walking solution they have been searching for to support their blind children.
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Story of Change: A Day in the Life of Maddox
Maddox was just two years old when his mom got him his first Pediatric Belt Cane. It was 2018, and at the time, we still called it a "Toddler Cane".
Maddox had many complications as an infant and he wasn't walking. Although he could walk, he refused to. Physical therapists tried gait trainers and other standard therapies, but he did not respond, as hoped.
His mom searched the internet, reached out to Safe Toddles, measured him using our instructions, and obtained the first of many fully funded Pediatric Belt Canes for her son.
Now eight years old, his unique combination of motor and visual impairments still makes the Pediatric Belt Cane the best option for his safe mobility.​​
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​His family and therapists have shared Maddox's Belt Cane journey and through these past six years have collaborated with Safe Toddles on his evaluation, instructional goals and his Pediatric Belt Cane lessons. ​
Our work with Maddox's family and hundreds more like them is at the heart of Safe Toddles research-based curriculum. Safe Toddles Blind Baby Safe Mobility curriculum (Beta version) is provided to every Pediatric Belt Cane user (more on that below).
Funded by gifts from City College of New York Fund and individual donations
Investment in Innovation
In 2025, at Safe Toddles we remain as committed as ever to our mission to make walking safer for blind toddlers. ​Each year there is a greater demand for our original Pediatric Belt Cane and a sincere interest in our offering new sizes and other options. Our commitment to safe mobility is driving us to invest in innovation once again. Read about three developments in this report.
Maddy's Story:
Larger Pediatric Belt Canes
Maddy is thirteen years old and due to her intellectual delay and a motor impairment in her hands she is unable to use a long cane. Her Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) makes walking unsafe, unless she has a helping hand or a Pediatric Belt Cane.
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At the 2024 AER International Conference, Tina Meekle, Maddy's orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist confided in us. She was worried, Maddy was outgrowing the Pediatric Belt Cane. We made Tina a promise that day. We promised to find a solution for Maddy.
Almost from day one, families and O&M specialists have urged us to make larger sizes to meet the safe mobility needs of their taller students. Originally, the 9LL (waist 25 inches and height 37 inches to the shoulder) was the limit, primarily due to shipping container size limits. The push to increase in sizes gained momentum with a new program funded by the William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation.
A generous grant from the Hoffman Foundation enabled us to partner with agencies in New York and New Jersey providing specialized services to children a visual impairment. The two schools selected to participate were the Lavelle School for the Blind in the Bronx, NY and the Helen Keller Children's Learning Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Both schools were provided with a Complete Measuring Set that includes 36 Pediatric Belt Canes sizes, 2 on-site workshops with on-going support, and 14 students were measured and introduced to their very first Pediatric Belt Canes.
During her visits, Dr. Ambrose-Zaken evaluated students enrolled in preschool to high school. Safe Toddles’ production team reviewed the measurements and created nine new sizes including small, medium, large size 10s, 11s, and 12s. Grace personally hand-delivered these first giant-sized Belt Canes. We have now secured shipping containers that match our needs and have sent over 50 oversized Pediatric Belt Canes to older children across the United States.
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Maddy, looks every bit the independent teenager wearing her Pediatric Belt Cane. The longer belts and cane frames are another innovation supporting our mission to bring safety to blind walking. With your support, we will continue to develop assistive safety devices to meet the diverse needs of learners with a mobility visual impairment or blindness. ​
Funded by a grant from the William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation
Planned for 2025: Transition to
Injection Molded Plastic Parts
It takes at least 16 hours to 3D print the parts for just two complete sets of Pediatric Belt Canes. The lengthy printing time causes a strain to meet demand.
In 2025, with the help of a generous grant from the FS Foundation, we have begun our journey to transition from 3D printed plastic parts to injection molded parts. The figure above shows one of the challenges we face using 3D printers to produce our parts.
It takes 16 hours just to print the parts for a Pediatric Belt Cane. Then it must be assembled, packaged, boxed, and shipped - a process that takes a minimum of 20 hours per Cane.
We outgrew this manufacturing process in our first year. Now, even with multiple 3D printers working around the clock, we often struggle to keep up with demand. That's why transitioning to a faster manufacturing process, such as injection molding is essential.
We will work with specially trained biomedical and mechanical engineers to create the precision, hard cast molds needed to mass produce our six plastic parts. Once this process is complete, we will have cut production time by 16 hours - a critical step in ensuring our continued growth and expanding our impact on the lives of blind toddlers worldwide."
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Funded by a grant from the FS Foundation
A New Breakthrough in Pediatric Belt Canes: The No-Drift Belt
Images include a. Group of No-Drift Belts ready to ship and b. A computer rendering of an alternative No-Drift Belt design.
Since the start, Safe Toddles has prioritized communication with its users. We offer support, guidance, instructional curriculum, and participate in children's therapy team meetings all in an effort to support our users and learn more about the Pediatric Belt Cane in practice.
The standard Pediatric Belt Cane design is better described as semi-hands free. Children can and do let go of it, but there is sufficient flexibility that allows them to move the cane frame itself off to each side and return it to face front and center-for maximum protection and information. There are children with intellectual challenges, who have severe gait anomalies and/or who do not have good use of their hands. They would benefit from wearing a completely hands free assistive safety device. The Gibney Family Foundation’s 2024 mini-grant program awarded Safe Toddles an opportunity to build and test an innovation we call the No-Drift Belt.
The No-Drift Belt is designed to assist the child to maintain the cane frame in its forward position in front of the child's next step, hands free. We investigated two designs (see pictures 1 and 2). Picture 1 shows the more successful of the two attempts.
We tested a No-Drift Belt design that replaced part of the belt fabric with interlocking 3D printed panels. The plastic panels provided additional structure to the belts. Safe Toddles tested 30 No-drift Pediatric Belts with children with an MVI/B who also had motor and intellectual impairments (ages 11 months - 7 years). The No-Drift Belts did keep the cane frame in a fixed position much more securely than the traditional belt. The cane frames didn’t move off center at all.
This design proved to be successful, teachers worried that it was too rigidly held in place. This mini-grant allowed us to explore an important avenue of innovation for the Pediatric Belt Cane. The next step is to explore how to recreate this success with more durable materials and release it to the public.
Children with an MVI/B need safe mobility throughout the day and the greater their physical and intellectual challenges, the more imperative it becomes to provide them with effective assistive safety devices. The potential of the No-Drift Belt innovation is exciting. There is much more work to do.​
Funded by grants from the Gibney Family Foundation, our engineering partners at Soterix Medical, Inc., and individual donations
Research and Practice
​In 2024, Safe Toddles Medical Advisory Committee began its quest to quantify the improved walking patterns attributable to the Pediatric Belt Cane and visible to most therapists. Dr. Grace Ambrose-Zaken assembled this esteemed team beginning with Retired General Dr. Robert Enzenauer and Dr. Anne L. Corn. Dr. Enzenauer, recruited Capitan Paul Chong. We're also grateful for the help from high school student Ishani Bakshi, research intern who is a rising star at the Edison High STEM Academy.
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To date, we have analyzed the gait dynamics of 100 children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness before and after obtaining a Pediatric Belt Cane using the MediaPipe platform2 to perform video gait analysis. ​​
The graph shows the speed of the right and left foot of the eleven children with CVI before and after they began walking wearing a Pediatric Belt Cane. The green lines (after) show significantly faster walking across all subjects.
In 2024, Dr. Chong’s abstract on the medical advisory committee’s research was recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Uniformed Services Section for outstanding abstract.
Dr's Chong and Enzenauer hold the AAP certificate in front of the winning poster.
Dr. Chong presented our findings at The American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), and co-presented a poster of our findings at The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) with Dr. Enzenauer and Dr. Ambrose-Zaken.
Dr. Ambrose-Zaken presented the committee's data at multiple education conferences including the AER International Conference in North Carolina
Dr. Ambrose-Zaken presented improved gait findings in 50 children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness at a poster session at European Association for Vision and Eye Research (EVER). Several of these studies have been published in online medical journals.​​​​​
Funded by grants from The US Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences and the Lavelle Fund for the Blind.
Like other toddlers around the world who are unable to see or feel the path ahead, Annalise showed signs of blindness-induced walking delays by the age of sixteen months.
At 18 months, Annalise had the same wide-based, stiff-legged gait and slow pace she first exhibited at 15 months. Three months later, she still did not meet her Recommended Daily Activity (RDA) for her age. Instead, she had learned to wait for the safety of a helping hand.
At 19 months, after just seven weeks of wearing her Pediatric Belt Cane, she showed significantly improved continuous, unprompted walking.
At 21-months of age, when wearing the Pediatric Belt Cane, her base of support had narrowed. She was also able to naturally shift her weight, bend her knee, and swing her foot forward with the next step (as pictured).
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Today, Annalise easily meets her expected Recommended Daily Activity hours when protected by her Pediatric Belt Cane.
Providing her with the Pediatric Belt Cane, her parents have effectively erased the motor delays seen just seven weeks prior.
Time is of the essence: Walking development occurs before the age of two years. By two, toddlers with a mobility visual impairment or blindness can walk on par with their sighted peers when provided an assistive safety device, a Pediatric Belt Cane, during their expected RDA hours.
Medical Research: For hundreds of Pediatric Belt Cane users, the improvement in Annalise's gait is both a common and a significant outcome to wearing a Pediatric Belt Cane. In 2024, pediatric ophthalmologists reported their significant findings in gait improvement in children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness at the five medical conferences: The American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC), The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and the European Association for Vision and Eye Research. (EVER).
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Watch the video: The Pediatric Belt Cane safety improves Annalise's walking skills, and she now safely walks independently and with confidence.
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Story of Change: Annalise's Gait
Funded by grants from The US Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences and the Lavelle Fund for the Blind
Blind Baby Safe Mobility Curriculum
The Blind Baby Safe Mobility Program is an evidence-based curriculum that integrates safe mobility into daily life. Thanks to grants from the Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation and the Delta Gamma Foundation, we have expanded our curriculum to an online course platform.
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In 2024, our project manager, content specialist, and developer began translating Safe Toddles’ evidence-based curriculum into accessible digital content for parents, caregivers, and professionals.
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The beta version of the “Blind Baby Safe Mobility Curriculum” is provided free of charge to every Pediatric Belt Cane user. These grants have enabled us to develop and test our online platform as we build a community for families and caregivers who share the goal of helping their children gain confidence in walking by wearing Pediatric Belt Canes throughout the day.
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While we have completed Phase One of this project, we still have much work to do. Our goal is to build this curriculum into a certification training for early intervention professionals, equipping them with the skills to properly fit, demonstrate, and assist families in adopting the Pediatric Belt Cane for consistent daily use. Once fully launched, our web-based platform will expand access to more families and professionals through a streamlined, user-friendly system. ​​​​
This project is funded by grants from the Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation and the Delta Gamma Foundation
Arianna's Story of Triumph over Walking
Arianna was already three years old when her mom got her first Pediatric Belt Cane. Looking at this photo, it may be hard to believe, but using the Belt Cane, she struggled to walk, relying on furniture and helping hands to move about.
After just four months of consistent Pediatric Belt Cane use and instruction, she is now walking safely and independently. With her newfound confidence in walking and exploring, teaching her to engage in daily activities has become much easier.
Arianna's Pediatric Belt Cane was funded by individual donors
Story of Change: Landon – It's Never too Late for Safe Mobility
Around the age of three, Landon began walking less and less, though there was no physical reason for his hesitation. He would stand up and walk with a helping hand, but the moment adults let go, he would freeze in place.
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Before the Pediatric Belt Cane, if eight-year-old Landon, blind due to Septo-Optic Dysplasia, had anywhere important to go he was pushed in a stroller. We now know why. His refusal to walk was a non-verbal response to unsafe walking conditions.
The proof came the moment he put on a Pediatric Belt Cane. He immediately began walking freely, venturing far beyond the walls that once constrained him. The Pediatric Belt Cane provided the protection and sensory feedback he needed to feel confident walking on his own.
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This video ends where his therapists’ work begins. With the confidence to willingly walk independently, Landon can now learn the routes he needs to navigate daily life – just as demonstrated in the Blind Baby Safe Mobility Curriculum.
Landon’s Pediatric Belt Cane was funded by individual donors
Meet our Innovation Team
Safe Toddles Leadership
Board of Directors
Medical Advisory Committee
Community Advisors
Grace Ambrose-Zaken
President/CEO
Marom Bikson
Chief Engineer
Marketing
The Erhardt Group
Development
Christoff Consulting & Coaching
Accountants
Foundation Group
Legal
Mintz
Marom Bikson
Chair
Members
Nick Mueller
Janie Blome
Beth Calhoon
Joy Harris
June Allison
Grace Ambrose-Zaken
Robert Enzenauer
Anne L. Corn
Paul Chong
Ishani Bakshi
Kirk & Roslyn Adams
Sylvia Perez
Bob Sonnenburg
Constance Englestad
Roxann Mayros
Cheryl Roe
Brent Weichers
How Did You Learn about the Fully Funded (free) Pediatric Belt Cane?
Our Impact in 2024
12% Increase in Pediatric Belt Canes Shipped!
Demographics of Our Users
Honoring Leadership in Innovation
Dr. Grace Ambrose-Zaken co-founder and President/CEO of Safe Toddles was recognized by Hudson Valley Magazine as one of 20 Women in Business driving success in the Hudson Valley.
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Safe Toddles’ journey began in Dr. Ambrose-Zaken's garage in Dutchess county New York. Our first big advancement was to relocate to the hallowed hallways of the City University of New York Engineering School housed in the Center for Discovery and Learning in the Bronx, New York. Today, thanks to the unwavering support of our dear friends, family, and neighbors, our headquarters is proudly located in the heart of the beautiful Hudson Valley, in Fishkill, New York.
Passionate, determined, and visionary – these are the words most often used to describe Grace's work with the Pediatric Belt Cane. What began as a flash of inspiration after years of intensive investigation has become a transformative tool, empowering more than 2,500 children with congenital blindness worldwide.
Sustaining Members
Our 2024 sustaining members contributed $6,333 that's thirty-one fully funded Pediatric Belt Canes.
Friends of Safe Toddles
Friends of Safe Toddles are a special group of individuals, foundations, and corporations who have committed to annual gifts between $1,000 and $9,999. The financial support from this dedicated group enables us to remove all barriers to children with a congenital or early onset mobility visual impairment or blindness obtaining the Pediatric Belt Cane, and to educate their families on how to integrate the Belt Cane into all parts of the child's daily routine
The SafeT Society
The SafeT Society comprises generous individuals, foundations, and corporations who contribute $10,000 or more to Safe Toddles annually. Their steadfast support ensures transformative measures that guarantee accessibility, independence, and safety for children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness.
