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Supporting young people and adults
Independence, confidence and freedom for all
People with learning difficulties can struggle to lead an independent life without the right support and facilities.
Symbols can be used in a variety of ways to support independent living, such as labels around the home, sequence cards for regular processes, shopping lists and calendars to name a few.
Using a range of symbol resources and strategies can give people the freedom to be independent where they would normally rely on carers and other services to support them. By making small changes to encourage independence, a large impact can be made on people's self-esteem and confidence.
More about symbols:
Success Stories
It has been a long journey for Charles and us on the communication pathway and we still have a long road to travel but with the help and experience of the staff at Widgit that road now feels a lot shorter. Thank you so much for all your support.
John & Barbara, Charles' mum & dad
With Iain's help, I produced symbols of the things that make him feel anxious and which help him to feel calm. I cut them up and we played a sorting game.
I showed the staff at his respite centre how to use the cards and this contributed to a much calmer stay for Iain next time round!
Iain's mother talks about their symbols
In a study with adults with learning disabilities, comprehension was significantly higher for symbolised text than non-symbolised.
JONES F.W., LONG K., FINLAY W.M.L.
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51(7)
I love this. What a great way to share the world with everyone. My grandson is autistic and pictures are a great way for he and I to communicate.
Just brilliant to recommend to schools and families who are on tight budgets.
Rebecca keeps her symbol communication album with her at all times... When she left school to go to college she still used her symbol album and now has a communication aid. Rebecca has an American pen friend who communicates using symbols.
Rebecca's story from 'Symbols Literacy and Social Justice'
Who symbols can help
Widgit uses symbols to support people who have communication, language or learning disabilities.
Find about who uses symbols
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796,000 people aged 20 or more, equivalent to 2.2% of the adult population have a learning disability. (1)
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At least half of all adults with a learning disability live in the family home - meaning that many don't get the same chances as other people to gain independence, learn key skills and make choices about their own lives. (2)
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7% of people with learning disabilities have a job. 65% want one. (3)
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'Easy read' resources support independence for adults with a learning disability (4)
Widgit Symbols add visual support to the printed word, opening up the world of information to those otherwise excluded from it.
Find out more about symbols
- Improve levels of independence
- Enable communication
- Support behaviour and emotions
- Improve confidence and
self-esteem - Enhance life skill development
- Reduce reliance on family and carers
Create your own materials
InPrint 3Create symbol materials to print
Widgit symbols, along with the powerful features and freedom of layout of desktop publishing, help to create materials that have a professional look.
Widgit OnlineCreate symbol materials in your web browser.
Create symbol flashcards, timetables, stories and a lot more, with no installation needed.
SymWriter 2Easy symbol writing for everyone
SymWriter 2 is a symbol-supported word processor that any writer, regardless of literacy levels, can use to create documents.
Fun and educational apps
Widgit GoWidgit Go is an app for creating activities and grids to support communication, learning and language development. Use it in the home, in the classroom or on the go.
Widgit VocabWidgit Vocab is a series of iPad apps designed to develop basic vocabulary. Widgit Vocab can help extend a user's vocabulary range with listening, speaking and reading activities.
App Bundles
Get the best deals with Widgit App Bundles
Need help?
To discuss our software and services, please call 01926 333680, or email info@widgit.com
Educational Symbol Resources
Choices and Planning
A great resource to encourage self advocacy within personal care planning.
For InPrint 3 or PDF, from £30
Road Safety
11 activities for teaching how to cross the road safely, understanding traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
For InPrint 3 or PDF, from £7
Good Cooking
58 recipes, topic books and workbooks for snacks, starters, dinners and desserts + FREE sample book.
For InPrint 3 or PDF, from £15
Need something else?
All our materials are developed in partnership with professionals. If you require a communication tool that fits your content and needs, please contact our Design Studio at symbols@widgit.com
Design Studio
Are your documents accessible to all your clients?
We can create accessible symbol information, tailored to your needs.
Our specialist design team will work in partnership with your organisation to produce symbolised materials that fit your individual requirements.
Bespoke service
We will consult with you throughout the design process to ensure that the end result is appropriate for the different needs of your client base.
Best practice
We can work with you to ensure "best practice" in symbol accessibility and suggest the most appropriate language for your information.
Meeting your responsibilities
An inclusive approach to the design of your product or service will help you to ensure compliance with current legislation on accessibility.
Design studio services include:
- Translating information into symbols
- Converting text to Easy Read
- Designing new symbols
- Developing resources and materials
- Providing advice and training
Get in touch
If you want help with accessibility or have an idea for a resource, please contact us.
For design services,
email
symbols@widgit.com
For copyright permission,
email
copyright@widgit.com