The Disability Access Fund can be used for many types of resources, equipment and adjustments. The lists below give examples of items that providers may find useful when supporting children with special educational needs or disabilities.
These examples reflect the types of adjustments that early years settings often make.
Providers should use their judgment and professional knowledge when choosing resources. For higher cost items or specialist equipment, seek advice from the relevant professionals working with the child.
Physical access
Examples include:
- Gates for outdoor areas
- Landscaping to remove trip hazards, reduce steep gradients or create smooth surfaces
- Ramps (check the regulations in Approved Document M, including the gradient table on page 12)
- Adapted outdoor equipment, such as different swing seats or trikes with straps
- Equipment for marking steps
- High visibility jackets or bibs
- Push chair for trips
- Walker/rollator (as recommended by an involved therapist)
- Low-level seating
- Soft play equipment
- Sitting wedges
- Corner seats
- Carpet spot
- Big physio balls
- Different types of scissors
- Gross motor skills equipment
- Hoists
- Recording switches
- Assistive technology, including an alternative mouse or keyboard
- Bibs/dribble bibs
- Complete waterproof suits
- Chunky crayons/finger crayons
- Rulers with handles
- Rompa helmets
- Early pencil grips
Communication and interaction
Examples include:
- Feelings faces
- Visual support
- Sensory tent
- Sensory toys
- Portable dividers
- Autism friendly materials (social stories book or weighted lap blankets)
- Boardmaker
- Assistive technology
- Sound area
- Headphones and DVD player
- Makaton symbols
- Choice boards,
- Simple picture books
- Big books and little books
- Story sacks
- Chunky books
- PECS books
- iPad
- Mirrors for SLT
- Mini trampolines
- Persona dolls
- Specialist seating
- Feely bags
- Early language objects (doll, brush, cup)
Resources for children with hearing impairment
Examples include:
- Sign language books
- Cards and games
- Light and sound toys
- Interactive whiteboards
- Soundfield system
- Talking tins
- Acoustic modification
- Fabric for tables
- Soft furnishings (curtains)
- Hanging mobiles
- Acoustic clouds
- Carpet for a setting
- Felt pads for the bottom of toy boxes to reduce sounds
- Audio equipment
- Sign and write (part of communicate in print software)
- Velcro
- Story sacks
- Listening games
- iPad
- Subscription to ‘Twinkl’
Resources for children with visual impairment
Examples include:
- Environmental adaptations based on advice from Qualified Teachers of the Vision Impaired
- Brightly coloured markers for steps, raised edges or equipment
- Blinds to improve lighting conditions
- High visibility jackets
- Easy access storage with tactile markers
- Seating position indicators such as cushions or carpet spots
- Tactile exploration items such as space blankets
- Sensory lights and glowing objects
- Colour tents, dark tents or sensory dens
- Be Active boxes
- High contrast backgrounds for activities
- Voice recording equipment
- Magnetic raised boards and desk slopes
- Magnification tools such as CCTV or appropriate iPad software
- Bold pens, soft pencils and high contrast materials
- Tactile learning tools such as tactile books, braille materials and Wikki Sticks
- Large print books
- Balls with bells
- Interactive books with tactile or sound buttons
- Sensory stories
- Literacy and numeracy buckets
- Lightboxes
- Subscription for three-dimensional books
- Scented equipment
- High contrast tape and coloured glue sticks
- Vibrating toys
- Musical instruments
- Plate guards and scooping bowls
- Dark room kits
- Simple switches
Self care, personal care and medical needs
Examples include:
- Changing tables and mats
- Kneeling pads
- Storage solutions
- Toilet frames and steps
- Toilet inserts
- Potties with arms or backs
- Non-slip mats
- Angled plates and specialist cutlery
- Grasp bars
- Cups
- Mini food processors
- Cecure boxes for medication, including portable boxes for trips
Social, emotional and mental health
Examples include:
- Fidget toys
- Puppets
- Traffic light or feelings fans
- Ear defenders
- Role play materials
- Calming equipment such as sensory lights and bubble tubes
- Weighted blankets
- Sensory toys
- Dens or tents
- Dolls and soft toys
- Books about feelings
- Social skills resources, such as turn-taking cards
General child development
Examples include:
- Sensory toys
- Cause and effect toys
- Inset puzzles and shape sorters
- Large handled brushes
- Musical instruments and bells
- Lightweight rattles
- Stacking toys
- Bubbles
- Posting boxes
- Construction toys
- Treasure baskets
- Tactile materials such as water beads or slime
- Playdough and sensory materials
- Switch toys