Easterseals SoCal Helps Drive Mattel’s New Accessible Hot Wheels Collection

Mattel, home to some of the world’s most-iconic toys—including Hot Wheels, Barbie, American Girl, Fisher-Price, Thomas & Friends, Uno and more—has launched Hot Wheels All Drivers Welcome, a collection of toy vehicles developed to increase representation, celebrate diverse communities and make play time more accessible for children with disabilities.

To be released throughout 2026, the collection—beginning with the Easterseals Hot Wheels Click Shift car—includes vehicles created with input from Easterseals SoCal (ESSC), the Braille Institute, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and the Starlight Children's Foundation. 

The announcement of the new toy line was made during Mattel’s sixth annual Play It Forward Global Volunteer Week, during which employees around the world volunteer in their communities to create a variety of joyful experiences through play to support children in underserved communities.

About the Easterseals Hot Wheels Click Shift Car

Functioning like a fidget toy, the Easterseals Hot Wheels Click Shift Car features an interactive push-button air filter, fidget-style exhaust pipes and sports a distinctive, custom-ready colorway and specialized Easterseals graphic styling.

Three other vehicles already release in the All Drivers Welcome collection include the Braille Racer – Twin Mill, Flippin Fast and Head Gasket models.

Monique Taylor, MA, OTR/L, Senior Regional VP, Provider Networks, Easterseals Autism Therapy Services, was part of the ESSC team advising Mattel.

“The partnership,” she says, “gave Easterseals SoCal the opportunity to contribute not only clinical perspectives but lived experience from families into the development of a hugely popular Mattel toy, with the goal of helping more children feel seen, included and supported in everyday play experiences. We helped Mattel look at how children with different sensory, motor and developmental needs experience play.”

Celebrating 58 Years Behind the Wheel

Hot Wheels were introduced by Mattel in 1968, revolutionizing die-cast toy cars and becoming highly collectible. Today, there are nearly 11,500 unique Hot Wheels castings—from the original “Sweet 16” to the latest models. More than 8 billion Hot Wheels cars have sold worldwide.

“When a company of that scale makes inclusion part of the design process, it has the power to influence not only one toy, but the broader conversation about representation, belonging and accessibility in play,” said Leigh Anne Colbert, M.A. CCC-SLP, Regional VP, Easterseals Autism Therapy Services – North.

“In helping to develop the line,” she continued, “we focused on how a child would physically engage with the toy and the kind of sensory and functional experience it would provide—talking about features that would help make the toy more accessible, engaging and enjoyable for a wider range of children.”

An Inclusive Checklist

What makes the Hot Wheels All Drivers Welcome Click Shift cars inclusive?

 Features include: 

• Elements like bright colors, sound and cause and effect. The Click Shift car is designed with an interactive clicking feature, creating a simple but engaging cause-and-effect play experience. 
• Fits comfortably in a child’s hand, with enough weight to feel substantial without being difficult to manage.
• Easy interaction that can be easily used on a tabletop or in a child’s lap.
• Durable moving parts that hold up to everyday use. 

“At Mattel, we believe that play should be for everyone,” said Andi Heryanto, President of Mattel’s Sunshine Employee Resource Group, which is dedicated to advancing accessibility and inclusion and was integral to the development of the Hot Wheels All Drivers Welcome collection. 

“We work closely with our partners and people of the community who we aim to serve. By listening, learning and incorporating those diverse experiences, we create play experiences that are more inclusive for all children.

"Our hope is simple—that every child sees themselves reflected in a toy and enjoys playing with it,” he said. “Play is about imagination, fun and happiness. There isn’t a measure of success more important than knowing a child feels seen, included and excited to play."

Taking a Test Drive

As part of the launch, Mattel delivered Click Shift cars to ESSC’s Autism Therapy Services Program in Ontario, Calif., where kids ages 5-8 took them out for a test drive and shifted play time into high gear.

“The day was an amazing opportunity that created space for inclusivity and community for our self-proclaimed ‘Hot Wheels superfans,’” said Tamara Delaney, MA OTR/L, Therapy Clinic Supervisor, Autism Services. “There was just a sense of joy and a true feeling of belonging for the kids and their families, who jumped in to join the fun.

“The kids loved the shiny wheels, the button on the top of the car and the heavier feel of the car in their hands,” she said. “They tried the Click Shift out on the Hot Wheels track and ran it around our sensory gym and, through play, really connected with each other.”

On had to put the pedal to the metal and see what the Click Shift cars could do were kids who have graduated from ESSC’s autism services, all of whom were more than happy to get behind the wheel!

“Having a toy meant for kids like my son is just a game changer,” said Ace’s mom, Fallon. “Hot Wheels has always been a toy he’s cherished. I love to see that the world is making space for him. We’ve spent hours in therapies helping him learn to adapt and making sure he’ll thrive in this world. So having people see him and his needs and include him is just incredibly meaningful. Like having a button to push that helps strengthen his fingers. 

“I think it will be good to have in a school setting for a kid with an IEP or a 504 plan,” added Eli’s mom, Brianna. “Being able to have a smaller, handheld toy to be able to click in class is beneficial. I had to have that put into his 504 plan, to have fidgets available. That clicking sound helps him regulate in class. He can roll the wheels back and forth. It’s a good toy for neurodivergence—anybody really.  Eli’s a big Hot Wheels fan anyway, so it was special for us to be a part of this.”

Summed up Helena and Emanuel’s mom, Sonia, “It really just lets a kid be a kid.”

Want Information About Other Accessible Toys?

Check out Easterseals’ 2025 Holiday Gift Guide