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Special Educational Additional Needs and Disabilities

At Luton Libraries we welcome everyone! As part of an ongoing investment into increasing our offer for children with additional needs, you can find a range of resources for those with sensory needs in our libraries.

 

Refurbishment of Central Library

We have a selection of Easy Read and Widget documents about the changes at Central Library: Library Changes; Feeling Safe and Comfortable in the Library; and Finding Children's Books. If you would like to be sent these PDFs, please email [email protected] and put "SOCIAL STORIES" in the subject line. 

 

Customers at Central Library can also request ear-defenders, coloured-glasses and smell-gyms. Please ask our team.

 

Borrowable Resources

We have a variety of resources you can borrow. Not all of these can be found on the shelves - please speak to a member of our team.

 

Borrowable Resources for Children

  • Multisensory books
  • Children’s books in giant print and braille
  • Pop up sensory tents
  • Disco balls with lights and speakers. Ideal for use with the sensory tents.
  • Children's Helping Collection books. Our Helping Collection, is a useful way of introducing some difficult subjects to children of all ages. The collection is based at Luton Central Library but all books are borrowable and can be reserved through the catalogue. Click here for more information.
  • Children's Telescopes. These super-portable telescopes are easy to use and are great for introducing younger children to astronomy. With 30x magnification, they can be used to observe both the night-sky and terrestrial objects.

 

Borrowable Resources for Adults

  • Large Print and Dyslexia Friendly books
  • Picture to Share books. These books combine pictures and text for adults in a meaningful way to help stimulate conversation between families, professionals and those with dementia. The books can also be used with stroke sufferers, as well as adults with learning disabilities and people with mental health needs. 
  • Jigsaw puzzles and games for dementia. 
  • Memory Boxes. For those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other kinds of dementia, a Memory Box can help stimulate those long-term memories and promote cognitive functioning, helping to recall happy memories and positive responses.

eLibrary Resources

Many of our eLibrary resources have accessibility options. 

  • LOTE4KIDS (Learning Languages Other Than English). Online pictures books for younger children in a wide range of languages, including human-signed BSL. 
  • Widget Online. This software enables you to create symbol-based communication tools. Speak to the library team to find out more.

 

Drop-in Activities

 

Drop-in activities for Children

 

Drop-in Activities for Adults

  • Getting Creative. Adult Arts & Crafts activities designed to boost your confidence and emotional wellbeing. Click here for more information.
  • Getting Active. Mind and body practices to help build core strength and teach self-remedies to help relax and keep calm. There are Mindful Stretching and Mindful Yoga sessions available. Click here for more information. 

 

Bookable Activities

  • Bag Books. Multi-sensory books for people with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities. Our team can arrange a session and tell the stories through voice and emotion rather than words and pictures.
  • Memory Box Workshops.
  • Schedule a visit to the library for your school or group, or arrange for a member of our team to visit you. Contact [email protected]