Description

Creating Accessible Environments for Children with Vision Impairment

The Environmental Access Toolkit is a practical self-audit resource designed to help schools identify and implement reasonable adjustments that support children and young people with vision impairment. The toolkit enables schools to evaluate learning environments, improve accessibility and create safer, more inclusive educational settings.

Developed for school leaders, Teachers of Vision Impaired Children and inclusion teams, the Environmental Access Toolkit provides a clear framework for reviewing accessibility throughout the school environment and planning improvements that support independence, confidence and participation.

Why Choose the Environmental Access Toolkit?

Easy-to-use self-audit system
Designed specifically for educational settings
Supports pupils with vision impairment
Identifies practical reasonable adjustments
Highlights both low-cost and long-term solutions
Supports accessibility and inclusion planning
Helps schools prioritise accessibility improvements

The toolkit helps schools take a proactive approach to accessibility, ensuring that barriers to learning and participation are identified and addressed effectively.

What Does the Environmental Access Toolkit Cover?

The toolkit focuses on key areas of the school environment where accessibility can significantly impact a child’s independence and confidence.

Outside Areas

Review access and navigation across:

Playgrounds
Pathways
Outdoor learning spaces
Drop-off and collection points
Signage and visual markers

Entrances and Corridors

Evaluate:

Safe movement throughout the school
Visual contrast and wayfinding
Obstacle management
Lighting considerations
Accessibility of key routes

Halls and Shared Spaces

Consider:

Navigation within larger areas
Seating arrangements
Access to assemblies and events
Safety and independence

Classrooms

Review:

Seating positions
Lighting conditions
Access to learning materials
Organisation of resources
Classroom layout and visual accessibility

Supporting Reasonable Adjustments

The Environmental Access Toolkit helps schools identify adjustments that can be implemented immediately as well as changes that may require longer-term planning.

Examples may include:

Improving visual contrast
Reducing environmental hazards
Enhancing signage and labelling
Adjusting classroom layouts
Improving lighting conditions
Supporting safe and independent navigation

By identifying priorities, schools can develop a realistic action plan that supports accessibility while making best use of available resources.

What’s Included?

The Environmental Access Toolkit includes:

Structured audit framework
Checklists for key school locations
Guidance on environmental accessibility
Planning tools for reasonable adjustments
Support for short and long-term action planning
Practical recommendations for improving access

The toolkit enables school leaders and practitioners to assess current provision and identify opportunities to improve accessibility across the whole school environment.

Benefits of the Environmental Access Toolkit

The toolkit helps schools to:

Create more accessible learning environments
Improve safety for children with vision impairment
Support independence and confidence
Identify quick-win accessibility improvements
Develop long-term accessibility plans
Strengthen inclusive practice across the school
Support compliance with inclusive practice and reasonable adjustment responsibilities

By taking a structured approach to environmental accessibility, schools can ensure that children and young people with vision impairment are able to participate fully in all aspects of school life.

Ideal For

Headteachers
SENCOs
Teachers of Vision Impaired Children (QTVIs)
Inclusion Leads
School Business Managers
Local Authority Vision Impairment Services
Academy Trusts and School Leadership Teams

Related Positive Eye Resources

Ready to Improve Accessibility Across Your School?

Use the Environmental Access Toolkit to identify reasonable adjustments, strengthen inclusive practice and create a more accessible environment for children and young people with vision impairment.

Purchase the Environmental Access Toolkit today and take a proactive approach to accessibility, inclusion and independence throughout your school.