Special Schools
Supporting learners who have communication or language difficulties
Communication is an essential part of life and learning. In addition to providing accessible learning, special schools need to use a range of symbol communication strategies to support their students.
Widgit symbols provide students with a clear, structured language, ideal for communication and learning. Our wide range of software and resources can meet the needs of individuals.
Success Stories
The Endeavour Academy is a school and residential setting for children and young people with autism and severe learning difficulties aged between 9 and 19.
To aid with visual support the Academy use Widgit Symbols throughout the school and residential home.
Download the PHSE resource
The school is specifically for boys with social, emotional and mental/behavioural problems. We chose symbols because the boys need clear messages especially when it comes to boundaries.
Fay Cripps,
Littlegreen Primary School
Students at George Hastwell School produce a newspaper every term. Students gather the stories and write the articles using symbol software.
This newspaper enjoys a wide readership outside the school community. The fact that so many people appreciate it has served further to raise the students' self-esteem.
We believe that symbols give our students a greater understanding and accessibility of everyday life around school and are inclusive to the whole school community.
Allison Denton, Brooke School
Using Widgit Point has successfully allowed learners with low literacy levels and students and parents with English as a second language (EAL) to more fully engage with their virtual learning needs.
Kris Williams, James Rennie School
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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138,000 children have a SEN statement or are school action plus for speech, language or communication difficulties (1)
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18% of children with a SEN statement uses AAC (1)
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40% of children with SEN statements are in special schools (1)
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Using an AAC system greatly enhances a person's ability to make choices and improves their quality of life (2)
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
- Enable communication
- Improve behaviour
- Develop independence
- Enhance access to learning
- Develop skills for life
Create your own materials
InPrint 4Create 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.
Need help?
To discuss our software and services, please call 01926 333680, or email info@widgit.com
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.
Early Language Screening Tools
Early identification of speech and language difficulties and verbal comprehension - suitable for practitioners, teachers and parents.
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.
Symbols2WriteLearn about sentences and the elements that construct them with this exciting series of apps for children.
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
Autism Support Pack
Ready-made materials designed to help parents and teachers support autistic people.
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