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Online resources

The Sensory Trust has created a number of useful factsheets, guidance booklets and example documents that you can download from here free of charge

Factsheets and booklets

Latest factsheets, guidance and ideas:

Creative Spaces activity sheets - free to download! We are sharing ideas and activities that explore spending time outdoors with people with dementia.

These factsheets and booklets have been produced thanks to funding from Lloyds TSB Foundation and the Big Lottery.

The Access Chain (pdf 378k) Access is a chain of events that begins with the decision to visit and ends with the visitor’s safe return home. How to make sense of the different aspects of access from a user's perspective. Access Chain (text only version)
Braille (pdf 498k) Braille is easier and cheaper to produce than many people expect and should form a part of any piece of accessible information. This factsheet offers you a quick guide to producing accessible information for Braille readers. Braille (text only version)
Clear and Large Print (pdf 220k) Guidelines that provide a standard for maximising the legibility of printed documents. Clear and Large Print (text only version)
Community Engagement (pdf 299k) Involving local people in development decisions helps to ensure that the eventual designs are appropriate, enjoyable, well used, and cared for by the community. Text only version coming soon.
Inclusive Play (pdf 380k) Creating play spaces is about much more than picking play equipment from a catalogue. This guide outlines some of the things you can consider to provide play opportunities for everyone. Inclusive Play (text only version)
Gradients (pdf 804k) It is especially important in the natural environment to consider the variety of gradients offered by the routes around sites. Gradients (text only version)
Plain Language (pdf 170k) Plain language is not designed to corrupt and debase the glories of the English language. It is designed to communicate precisely the things you need to communicate to your intended audience. Plain Language (text only version)
Routes (pdf 744k) A guide to making and prioritising path access work. Routes (text only version)
Seating and Shelter (pdf 662k) Taking the time to consider the use and location of seating and shelter can dramatically improve the experience for many of your visitors. This factsheet takes you through the things you should think about. Seating and Shelter (text only version)
New! Social Sustainability Toolkit: inclusive design - provides a practical guide to inclusive design for built environment professionals and all those involved in the commissioning, planning, design, construction and evaluation of capital build projects.
Steps (pdf 569k) Things to consider when designing or repairing stepped access. Steps (text only version)
Widgit Symbols (pdf 437k) Symbol languages give people with learning disabilities in particular the opportunity to understand and experience the world in a way that meets their needs. Widgit Symbols (text only version

And also...

Food tastes better outdoors - recipes for tasty, healthy picnic food designed by and for people with learning disabilities
The Access Chain - further explanation of the access chain in web page format
Access Statements - example access statements for you to use as a basis for your own
By All Reasonable Means. The Sensory Trust has produced this new national guide for the Countryside Agency. The guide aims to help countryside and urban greenspace managers and owners improve accessibility of their sites, routes and facilities for disabled visitors. (pdf 835k)
Easy Access to Historic Landscapes. Guide to making historic landscape more accessible for owners and managers. Prepared for English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund (pdf 1.46 Mb)
Eden large print leaflets - examples of large print information
Public Parks: Keep Out - report from the November 2003 conference in Manchester (pdf 493k).
Quick Web Accessibility (pdf 39k)
Sensory Garden Design Advice
Therapeutic Horticulture

In addition this site contains a wealth of articles on a wide range of related topics. Browse them using either the alphabetic list of articles or the list of articles by subject.

Supported by the National Lottery