Supporting Children With Additional Needs Through Play

Play is incredibly valuable for all children.

Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength.

Children’s needs vary and play activities can be adapted by those who know the child best to meet individual abilities, likes and dislikes.

Read PlayBoard NI’s publication, ‘Supporting children with additional needs through play’ at https://bit.ly/3BBu7r1 for some play ideas to try at home.

#Playday2022 #AllToPlayFor

Assistive Technology for Children with Vision Impairment

We’re excited to share that applications have now re-opened for free iPads for children aged 3-18 with a vision impairment, for use at home.

The devices have excellent accessibility features built-in, and online guides and tutorials will be provided to help them get started and to ensure that they know how to stay safe online. The devices will be completely free of charge, with the only requirement being proof of vision impairment.

We know how important technology is for children with a vision impairment; if you are aware of any children who could benefit please do share the information with families.

Stocks are limited so we would encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. More information, including how to apply, can be found on the following webpage: www.guidedogs.org.uk/techforall

There is also a webpage detailing the eligibility criteria: Eligibility criteria (guidedogs.org.uk)

We are planning some social media posts on the Guide Dogs UK social media channels later this week, so please share these if you would like to. I have put the links to our Facebook and Twitter channels below:

Guide Dogs (@guidedogs) / Twitter

Guide Dogs UK | Facebook

Tech for All is just one of many services Guide Dogs provide for children and young people. We offer buddy dogs, a well behaved canine companion for children with sight loss; our ‘My Time to Play’ Programme for children with sight loss aged 0-4, learning through sensory play in a group setting led by our habilitation specialists; and much more.

We have also recently launched an online customer panel, for all people with sight loss, or parents of children with a vision impairment. It’s completely free to join and participate in. Members will be invited to take part in interesting research activities. It’s a great way for people to get their voice heard and we hope they will find it personally rewarding.  The system is fully accessible so that the experience will be as frustration free as possible. To become a member, people should complete a short 10 minute survey on the following link: https://guidedogsviewpoint.com/uc/main/a0db/

If families would like to find out more about our services, they can visit our website www.guidedogs.org.uk or contact Guide Line on 0800 781 1444.