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Specialist equipment and safety adaptations

This sheet contains information about specialist equipment for children and adults with severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, and lists some of the considerations which can help to improve safety and protect the living environment. Suppliers' contact details are listed at the end.

Beds & Bedding

Virtually indestructible mattresses, and bedframes which can be fixed to the floor are available from Kirton (but are expensive!). Kirton will make individual items of furniture to your own specification. One parent contacted the local hospital to purchase a plastic covered mattress after her daughter constantly ripped mattress covers and waterproof sheeting, and this was also easier to clean. Bedding should be made from cotton, to withstand high temperature washes. Washable/extra strength bedding is also available from Kirton.

Curtains

Curtains can be held up by Velcro if curtain rails are pulled down. A curtain rail designed to remain on the wall even if the curtain is pulled down is available from Hallis Hudson. Lockable wooden shutters are another alternative, or using a plastic stick-on covering (available from most DIY stores) to give privacy whilst still letting in the light.

Doors

Doors and doorframes may suffer damage. Internal doors can be replaced by sturdier fireproof doors, and can be fixed to the frames with heavy duty hinges. More hinges than the conventional two can help, but such strengthening may result in problems with the door frames coming away from the walls. Consult a carpenter about the best course of action to take for your individual needs. The use of window locks for the top of doors can prevent access to 'out of bounds' rooms. A spyhole in the bedroom door enables you to check on your child without disturbing him/her. These are available at most DIY stores. (Check that the spyhole has 180o viewing range).

Electrical equipment

Electrical sockets should, if possible, be located outside the bedroom (or inside locked cupboards) enabling the use of tape recorders, televisions, etc (placed in a cupboard with a polycarbonate window). Light switches can be located outside the room, and lights should be dome type, not pendant. Stainless steel electrical sockets with lockable fronts (screw down flap) are available from most good electrical suppliers.

Flooring

Vinyl flooring is easiest to keep clean and odour free. It should be securely fixed to the floor. Bolt safe flooring (2.5mm) is available from any carpet stockist. Durable washable carpet is a more expensive alternative (Gradus Carpets).

Furniture

Waterproof chairs with removable covers are available from Kirton. Durable, heavy plastic (but expensive) tables and chairs are also available. Link Design also provide a range of waterproof and robust chairs/beds for use in challenging environments. Wardrobes, cupboards, etc. can be fixed to walls, with lockable drawers (to prevent them being removed to provide a climbing frame or for the destruction of their contents). Available from Tough Furniture. G&S Smirthwaite also supply specialist furniture and lifts.

Information Technology

There are a number of companies specialising in both software and hardware which can provide useful teaching tools and aids to language development. AVP provide literacy and numeracy software and videos. Incentive Plus provide positive behaviour management and emotional literacy development products of all types. Inclusive Technology provides software learning tools with associated hardware. Keytools provide adapted keyboards, mice and screens for all sorts of special needs. Widgit Software provides picture and symbol software for literacy development. Special Need provide a specialist service designing special IT equipment tailored to an individual's needs.

Radiators

Radiators can be boxed in to eliminate the danger of burns and also to limit the amount of noise which can be generated by hitting them.

Toys and Sensory Equipment

TFH Catalogue and SpaceKraft provide various toys and other equipment relating to sensory environments.

Travel

To keep individuals safe when travelling by car, a large bucket type seat with a 5 point harness is available from In Car Safety or from Crelling Harnesses for the Disabled. A major buggy can be obtained from your local health authority. If necessary, you can ask for a 5 point harness to be fitted, and for those who drag their feet, a foot rest can be fitted. Simplantex Healthcare provides outdoor wheelchair accessories and TomCat Special Needs Products produce specially adapted trikes.

Wallcoverings

Painted walls are easy to clean, and eliminate the potential for unplanned wallpaper stripping and/or shredding and eating. Washable paints are preferable and a number of special effect paints are widely available with a protective washable finish. Posters, pictures and photos can be covered by a protective sheet of polycarbonate which will not crack or shatter. Padded wall cladding is available from Kirton.

Windows

Ordinary glass can be replaced by strengthened safety glass or polycarbonate. Lockable windows are advisable for potential escapees (window locks can be easily fitted to most windows and are available at most DIY centres).

Wooden surfaces

Some children gnaw and bite wooden surfaces such as window sills and furniture. A 90o strong plastic edging strip (available from most DIY stores) can be fitted to wooden edges. Heavy duty surface protectors are available from Intrad.

Still can't find what you need?

Fledglings is a charity which aims to help parents find the equipment they need for their disabled child. Contact MERU if you need a special "one-off" piece of equipment for your child.

Download Specialist equipment and safety adaptations information sheet in pdf format

Suppliers
AVP School Hill Centre, Chepstow Monmouthshire, NP16 5PH Tel: 01291 625439 Email: info@avp.co.uk Website: www.avp.co.uk	Crelling Harnesses for Disabled Ltd 12 Crescent East, Thornton Cleveleys Lancashire FY5 3LJ Tel: 01253 852298 Email: jenny@crelling.com Website: www.crelling.com

Fledglings Wenden Court, Station Approach, Wendens Ambo, Saffron Walden, CB11 4LB Tel: 0845 458 1124 (part-time) Email: enquiries@fledglings.org.uk Website: www.fledglings.org.uk	G&S Smirthwaite Ltd 16 Wentworth Road, Heathfield, Newton Abbot, TQ12 6TL Tel: 01626 835552 Email: enquiries@smirthwaite.co.uk Website: www.smirthwaite.co.uk

Gradus Carpets Ltd. Park Green, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 7LZ Tel: 01625 859000 Email: imail@gradusworld.com Website: www.gradusworld.com	Hallis Hudson Group Ltd. Unit B1, Red Scar Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 5NJ Tel: 01772 202202 Email: sales@hallishudson.com Website: www.hallishudson.com

In Car Safety (Mail Order and showrooms) Unit 5, Erica Road, Stacey Bushes Trading Ctr, Stacey Bushes, Milton Keynes,MK12 6HS Tel: 01908 220909 Email: info@incarsafetycentre.co.uk Website: www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk	Incentive Plus Unit 6 Fernfield Farm, Whaddon Road, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes, MK17 0PS Tel: 01908 526120 Email: info@incentiveplus.co.uk Website: www.incentiveplus.co.uk

Inclusive Technology Ltd Riverside Court, Huddersfield Road, Delph, Oldham, OL3 5FZ Tel: 01457 819790 Email: inclusive@inclusive.co.uk Website: www.inclusive.co.uk	Intrad PJP PLC, St Albans Road West, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 0TF Tel: 01707 266 726 Email: sales@intrad.com Website: www.intrad-direct.com

Keytools PO Box 700, Southampton, SO17 1LQ Tel: 023 8058 4314 Email: info@keytools.com Website: www.keytools.co.uk	Kirton 23 Rookwood Way, Haverhill Suffolk CB9 8PB Tel: 0800 212709 Email: enquiries@kirtonhealthcare.co.uk Website:www.kirton-healthcare.co.uk

Link design Bridge Cottage, Middleton, Ludlow Shropshire SY8 2DY Tel: 01584 877167 Email: info@linkdesign.co.uk	MERU Medical Engineering Resource Unit, 8 Damson Way, Orchard Hill, Carshalton Surrey, SM5 4NR Tel: 020 8770 8286 Email: info@meru.org.uk Website: www.meru.org.uk