Widgit Success Stories | Examples of Widgit Symbols in Action

Chile’s Volpo Surf Project makes waves with Widgit Symbols
How Widgit Symbols support vulnerable young people in Chile to thrive – in and out of the water

Guest blog with Volpo Surf Project English Coordinator Florence Berner on how Widgit Symbols help vulnerable young people improve their confidence and communication skills through the power of surfing.

Not-for-profit A2ndvoice CIC joins the Symbol-Friendly family
Raising awareness and understanding of autism from different perspectives

Founded in 2018, A2ndvoice CIC – a London-based not-for-profit with a passion for supporting children and their families – joins our Symbol-Friendly network as another advocate for inclusive communication across all environments.

A trust-wide approach to adaptive teaching with Widgit Online
Guest blog by Specialist Inclusion Teacher Gemma Tully and Inclusion Lead Practitioner Caroline Kearney

Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) uses Widgit Online to create inclusive, accessible, and adaptive learning environments – empowering staff across all settings to support every learner with clarity and consistency.

Adapting Emotional Learning for SEND
How Widgit Symbols helped Zippy’s Friends for pupils with SEND improve emotional literacy

Zippy’s Friends for pupils with SEND used Widgit Symbols to support children with their coping and social skills, as a 2-year study by the University of Birmingham highlights a gap in support for children with learning disabilities.

Welcome to the world’s first Symbol-Friendly museum
How the National Paralympic Heritage Trust (NPHT) became inclusivity champions

NPHT is gaining global recognition for its Paralympic Heritage collection as it works to ‘Become Seamlessly Inclusive’ by 2028. With Widgit’s support, they’re enhancing accessibility for visitors of all ages and abilities – now as the world’s first Symbol-Friendly museum.

Implementing Widgit Online to support learning across the Romero Catholic Academy
Guest blog by Lorraine Stanton, Executive Principal, Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Primary, and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary

A pilot at Romero Catholic Academy showed that Widgit Online benefits all learners, not just those with SEND and EAL. Now adopted across the MAC, it enhances communication, supports vocabulary, and reduces teacher workload.

A shared goal of inclusive experiences with Chelsea FC
From sensory room boards to mega store quiet hours featuring Widgit Symbols

Supporting your favourite football team is about more than just the game. From trading cards to football shirts or exploring a stadium, visiting a club creates unforgettable memories. But what if symbols could make this experience accessible to even more people?

Widgit’s role in empowering students at BeyondAutism
Guest blog by Tessa Middleton in conversation with Courtney Verwey, BeyondAutism Speech and Language Therapist

Empowering autistic learners to communicate, build independence, and express their needs is at the heart of BeyondAutism’s mission. Discover how Widgit Symbols are transforming education by creating tools that give every student a voice.

Introducing Spectrum: our first Symbol-Friendly festival
How Widgit Symbols helped Spectrum Festival goers seek their own adventures

Visiting a festival can be an overwhelming experience at the best of times. But what if this was made a little easier with clear, symbolised communication to guide the way forward? That’s where Widgit Symbols come in.

Supporting English as an Additional Language (EAL) Learners with Widgit Symbols
GEMS Winchester School – Dubai

GEMS Winchester School Dubai – Examples of worksheets

Assistant Head of Primary Charlotte Goode shares how Widgit Online has transformed teaching and learning at GEMS Winchester School.

Making green spaces accessible with Warwickshire Playground Boards
Communication Boards project with Warwick District Council

When it comes to embracing the great outdoors, our local parks and playgrounds continue to provide recreational areas for communities to enjoy all year round. But what if symbols could ensure even more individuals felt able to engage with the green spaces around them?

Inclusive animal experiences with Woburn
The UK’s first symbol-friendly safari park

Woburn, the first symbol-friendly safari park

When it comes to meeting special animals like Wednesday the one-eyed camel, Woburn Safari Park have ensured visitors of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are able to enjoy the full zoo experience. So much so that by embedding symbolised communications within their setting, they have become the UK’s first symbol-friendly safari park.

Symbolised resources to support dementia patients and their families
Dementia Friendly Project with Bob’s Brainwaves

Bob's Brainwave Widgit Symbol Dementia Resources

Bob's Brainwaves have worked with Widgit to developed a wonderful support pack to help guide people as they learn about dementia.

How Widgit Symbols are helping to shape a more inclusive curriculum
How Christopher Hatton Primary School, Camden are using symbols

Using Widgit Symbols, Christopher Hatton School has seen a significant impact on various aspects of student learning and engagement.

Enhancing emergency services communication with Widgit Symbols
Improving access and safety for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

This emergency services communication board is designed to enhance comprehension during emergency interactions.

Symbol-friendly journeys with Nottingham Trams
Accessible travel for passengers with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)

Notingham Express Transit (NET) and Widgit symbol guides

As part of our mission to help organisations across the UK become symbol-friendly, we’ve proudly partnered with Nottingham Express Transit (NET) to help make modern-day transport a less daunting and more inclusive experience.

Oliver enjoying stories with his family
Reading and Communicating with Widgit Symbols

Oliver is 6 and has been using Widgit Symbols for around 6 months. Making symbol resources linked to his favourite books means that he can join in and enjoy stories with his family.

Louis' first time on an aeroplane
Using symbols to promote independence and ease anxiety

Becca is an advocate for symbol use and uses them regularly with her 5 year old son, Louis. Here she describes how she uses the symbols in Louis' dialy routine as well to support him during his first time on a plane.

Learn and Thrive
Supporting learners with Down’s syndrome to access specialist support

The Learn and Thrive charity support learners with Down’s syndrome to access free, specialist support. They use digital tools to empower people with Down’s syndrome to thrive throughout their lives.

Stories with Symbols
Videos for children with speech, language and communication needs

Stories with Symbols create videos to make stories more accessible and enjoyable to children with or without additional needs.

Tom Kerridge Lose Weight and Get Fit Recipes
Symbol-supported recipes

Students at Ganton School with symbol-supported Tom Kerridge recipes.

Tom Kerridge’s Lose Weight and Get Fit recipes have been symbolised as part of Asa Hancock’s project to provide access to healthy eating and cooking for students at Ganton School.

Visual Supports at Hirst Wood Nursery School
Widgit Symbols being used around the nursery to ensure equality of opportunity for all children

Hirst Wood Nursery School is based in the World Heritage Site of Saltaire, Bradford. The school has three classes of children aged 3-4 years. The nursery supports children to develop confidence, independence, and creativity through first-hand experiential learning in a rich, engaging environment.

Symbols support the National Paralympic Heritage Trust
Katy-Jayne Lintott at the Trust got in touch with a view to making their work more accessible and to champion inclusion

The Trust wanted to use Widgit symbols to support their work with communities across the country, telling the story of the evolution of the Paralympic Movement.

ENS Care & Support, delivering person-centred care
Helping people to live their lives in the way they want

Barry recognised that they needed to ensure all their clients are able to understand and engage with any literature they create and he asked if we could help.

Widgit Symbols support LGBT+ inclusive education
Inclusive LGBT+ symbols and posters to help tackle homophobia

Tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying feels like a big task, especially when the words used to describe different identities can be confusing.

Supporting Namibian children to communicate
Widgit software and symbols, making a difference to pupils and teachers in Namibia.

Namibia Special School Using Widgit Symbols

Rachelle Burger, a teacher at a Special School in Namibia contacted Widgit desperate for help with her learners, especially those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Building independence for children at Claverdon Nursery
The nursery recently switched to Widgit’s InPrint software and has found it quick and easy to use

Claverdon Village Nursery in Warwickshire is a daycare provider with 72 childcare places for children aged 0-4 years. The nursery aspires to provide a safe, loving, caring and stimulating environment, where they nurture each child.

Increasing access to Welsh well-being services
Symbols included within Welsh online resource directory, Dewis Cymru.

The addition of Widgit Symbols means that the site is more accessible for people with dyslexia, literacy difficulties or for those whom English is not their first language.

Supporting young people into work
Widgit’s visual tools help learners get work ready; develop independence, social skills and empower them to make choices.

Debbie Jones, Job Coach at Hereward College loves Widgit symbols. For the past four years she’s been using them in her everyday role, supporting young people that attend the college into work.

Helping critically ill Covid-19 patients communicate
The symbol chart was created to help medical staff communicate with critically ill Covid-19 patients.

The Critical Care Communication Chart includes symbols for immediate care needs as well as messages that patients may want to pass to family members.

Children's Commissioner for Jersey
Symbol cards used to promote & protect children’s rights

The Commissioners’ offices worked with Widgit, adult practitioners and children & young people from England, Scotland and Wales to adapt the 42 articles of UNCRC into Symbols.

Winford Centre for Children and Women
Widgit Symbols supporting children with special needs in Nigeria

The Centre team have been able to create free visual aids for educators and families using InPrint. To date, they have been able to reach over 300 autistic children and their families using the software.

Bryn's journey to owning is first home
InPrint and Widgit Symbols support Bryn's everyday communication and the move to living in his own home

When Bryn left school he wasn't in a very good place, with lots of stress and frustration. Karen commented on the progress Bryn has made using Widgit Symbols...

Safe Place Scheme
Safe Places helps vulnerable people while they are out and about in the community

Window stickers are used in public places (shops, community centres and libraries etc) that are part of the scheme to identify themselves as Safer Places.

Youth Sport Trust
It's our school too - symbol supported play script

Using Widgit Symbols to make resources were more more visually attractive, appealing and most importantly, accessible.

Estyn
Pre-inspection survey using Widgit Symbols

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales, required Symbol support for their multilingual survey.

Daisy's Garden Box
Widgit Symbols help Daisy, a young lady with visual impairment

Using Widgit Symbols means Daisy can be instantly familiar with where everything needs to go whilst she's involved in garden activities.

Teaching English in Spain
Using InPrint 3 to break the language barrier

An English teacher in Spain recounts their use of InPrint 3 to break down the language barrier and make various resources to help with the learning of English by foreign students.

Scout Association
Supporting young people on the autism spectrum in Scouting

Providing volunteers with symbol supported information, guidance and resources, around supporting young people on the autism spectrum in Scouting.

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
A collection of symbolised leaflets and booklets for visitors

Take a look at how the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have worked with us to create symbolised versions of their pre-visit information booklet and exhibition guides to make their visitor experience more accessible.

Ellesmere College
Ellesmere College is a Special Needs College on the outskirts of Leicester. The College has Primary, Secondary and Post 16 departments and caters for the needs of 250 students between the ages of 4 - 19

To aid with visual support the college use Widgit Symbols, Braille and moon writing on their signage.

Bereavement and Loss
Supporting bereavement and loss in special schools by Sarah Helton from Back Pocket Teacher

Following the publication of her books A Special Kind of Grief and Remembering Lucy, Sarah wanted a way of communicating the complex issues about bereavement and grief with individuals with SEND.

Making Pantomime Accessible for All
Symbol resources to support pantomime audiences

Watch Chris Jarvis talk about relaxed performances of Sleeping Beauty at the Richmond Theatre with the aid of Widgit Symbols.

Children and Young People's Commissioner
Accessible UNCRC resources for children and young people

The Children's Commissioners of Scotland, England and Wales have joined forces to produce a new version of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The new resource uses symbols and simple language to explore the UNCRC.

Ofsted
Accessible UNCRC resources for children and young people

Four questionnaires, made with Widgit Symbols, allowing all aspects of the services provided to looked after children to be analysed and commented on by children of all abilities.

ACA Awards
Tom Jelley receives Member's Award

At the J.M Barrie Awards 2016 Tom Jelley, our Widgit Symbol designer, received the ACA Member's Award for individuals and organisations whose work enriches children's lives through the arts.

The Shippey Campaign
Encouraging sports stadia to provide viewing facilities for those with sensory difficulties

How one family set up a campaign to encouraging sports stadia to provide viewing facilities for those with sensory difficulties using Widgit symbols.

The Endeavour Academy
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.

Pakistan Cold Schools Project
Pakistan is facing tremendous challenges in the education sector, with 25 million children out of school and literacy rates just 57%

I'm really very grateful to Martin McKay and all of his Texthelp team along with Widgit for helping make self-guided books for students. Without their support doing this was not possible for me.

Symbols in Police Custody
University of Southampton's research into the use of symbols in police custody

In order to meet the specific needs of detainees, Widgit were approached by Autism Hampshire and Hampshire Police Constabulary to develop a series of "easy read" symbol sheets for use in custody.

Paediatric Dentistry Sheffield NHS Foundation Trust
Using symbols to support patient communication

The service has developed a communication with Widgit Symbols which enables children with ASD and other communication disorders to accept dental treatment. This has been recognised nationally as an example of good practice.

Lorraine Senior | Functional Reflex Therapy
Using Reflexology to support SEND children and adults

Using Widgit Symbols to meet the many communication needs of individual clients/pupils.

The Johan Cruyff Foundation
The Johan Cruyff Foundation in the Netherlands gets young people moving!

In primary schools and every Cruyff Court in the world you can find a sign of the 14 rules of Johan Cruyff. Widgit developed a special sign of the 14 rules specifically for special schools.

Symbols for Behaviour and Routine
Your InPrint 2 has been really helpful and made a huge difference in my son, Mohamed's, life

He has found the resources I have made for him with symbol support easy to understand and he has made great progress. He is less aggressive and is coping really well with changes in routine.

Manchester Children's Hospital
One of our biggest challenges is that we require a large amount of information to be accessible for all of our patients and service users.

Widgit helped us to create a person centred reasonable adjustment assessment tool which helps meet the need of our patients and families through pictorial information.

Amman Cares about Symbols
We had heard about Widgit symbols and wanted to create an "easy read" version of our care guide for use throughout our homes.

We contacted the Widgit design studio as we had challenges ensuring that our service users were able to engage with and understand the care guide used in our care homes.

Brooke School
Creating a communication friendly environment.

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.

Symbols help PSHE Education
The school is specifically for boys with social, emotional and mental/behavioural problems.

In PSHE we are doing Sex and Relationship Education at the moment and we need to make sure we create a safe environment and the information given is clear. Using Widgit symbols helps us accomplish this.

Creating a Communication Pathway
Our son Charles who is 20 years old and is profoundly disabled has been using Widgit Software since 1999.

We printed out symbols that were relevant for Charles, and started a communication path that has become over the years his main means of communication for us and other people.

Behaviour, Comprehension and Communication
I am using the software to teach him to read, to create visual timetables and to create behavioural prompts.

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your InPrint 2 and SymWriter 2 have been life savers for my severely autistic son. The quality of life for our family is so much better.

Symbol Signs from Funka
Our client wanted to make an accessible sign and map for a playground.

We felt the Widgit symbols were more colourful and happy than our alternatives. The Widgit symbols make the signs accessible for people who have a hard time reading, like small children.

Scottish Commissioner
Golden Rules brings disabled young people into the picture.

We launched the "7 Golden Rules for Participation" that remind adults what young people want from participation. The rules can also help them to think about how adults can support them to participate.

Countess Wear Community School
Widgit Symbols making an impact across the primary curriculum.

At Countess Wear Community School we regularly use InPrint as part of a Total Communication approach to support learning for children with additional needs across the curriculum. We create visual timetables, so that the children can clearly see routines and know what to expect.

Ambassador Theatre Group
Relaxed performances take centre stage.

We wanted to create resources for children and adults with learning disabilities to prepare for their visits to our theatres during the pantomime season; to build confidence prior to the theatre visit and provide an accessible way for customers to find out what to expect.

Father Christmas Trail
Rudolph brings Christmas early at the Eden Project Grotto.

At the Sensory Trust and Eden Project, we produced an accessible Father Christmas experience this year which was suitable for children who had additional needs. This included creating a "Father Christmas Trail", a sensory rich pathway including Widgit symbols.

Learning Italian Animated Story
Designed to help children aged 3-5.

This animated story has been created to foster learning of Italian as second language. The project was funded by the municipality of Udine and carried out by Radio Magica Foundation, in cooperation with publisher Franco Cosimo Panini and the assistive technology centre Auxilia.

Symbols to help communication
Iain using symbols to help with behaviour and communication.

My 38-year-old son, Iain, has learning difficulties and autism. Iain can talk and recognise written words. He needs enhanced structure, routines and rules at these times, so I create resources using Widgit symbols to help.

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Visiting hospital can be frightening, using symbols to explain procedures can help.

Widgit Software have worked in partnership with Dr Judith Short (Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust) to create a series of resources designed to help patients with learning difficulties understand the procedures, events and people associated with a visit to hospital.

Westcountry Housing Association
Creating accessible leaflets using Let's Sign and Write graphics.

The Association wanted to ensure that the printed information they create was as accessible as possible to all of the people they help - including British Sign Language (BSL) users.

Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital School
Widgit Symbol support for visitors to the school's website.

In recognition of the wide range of visitors to the website, Widgit Symbol support has now been added to the website through the implementation of Widgit's 'Point' software.

British Red Cross
In an emergency, when language is a barrier the British Red Cross and Widgit offer a solution.

The British Red Cross and Widgit Software have worked together to produce a Communication Book. The book uses Widgit Symbols to help the men and women who respond to emergencies to communicate with people with learning disabilities and those who do not speak English.

Breadline, Moldova
The use of InPrint by Breadline, a charity working in a day centre in Moldova.

InPrint allows us to develop, choose, create and put in practice various development programs for children of different ages, while taking into account the specific aims of each level.

Transport for London
Creating accessible work placement materials for people who struggle with reading.

To ensure that all individuals completing a placement were able to understand the Work Experience Agreement that participants need to sign before starting their placement, Transport for London worked in partnership with Widgit's Design Services Team to create a symbolised version.

Inclusive Education Center School No.1 Sibiu
Romanian special schools implements alternative and augmentative communication.

Widgit has been used in our school to help students with learning difficulties to engage in learning tasks, for raising accessibility of information both in teaching and curricular materials and the therapeutic activities and class management.

The Playpark
The Inclusive Community Playpark.

Widgit Software have been working with the park to develop materials and signage to enable children and visitors with literacy and learning impairments to access the park and its features.

Boanerges Deaf Initiative
InPrint across Continents.

The teachers are using the resources, made using InPrint, in every grade, throughout the school to support the children's language development, understanding and reading. The flexibility of the programme means the symbols and pictures can be tailor made for their community, reflecting the life and the culture as they know it.

The Royal School for the Deaf, Derby
Providing visual support for deaf students with Let's Sign and Write Graphics and Widgit Symbols.

In order to ensure that visual support is provided for both English and BSL, the Royal School for the Deaf has made extensive use of the Let's Sign & Write Graphics together with Widgit Symbols.

SEN Project Uganda
Symbols being used to support children with SEN in mainstream schools in Uganda.

Widgit donated InPrint software to the SEN Project Uganda in support of their work, to enable the teachers volunteering at the project to create symbol-supported materials.

Widgit Symbols at the Eden Project
The UKs largest visitor attraction.

Widgit have worked with the Sensory Trust to create more accessible signage and exhibits at the Eden Project. By using Widgit symbols on signage and displays throughout the Eden Project has achieved more inclusive accessibility for its visitors, regardless of their level of literacy.

The James Rennie School
The first school Virtual Learning Environment to use Widgit Symbols.

Using Widgit Point has successfully allowed learners at the James Rennie School with low literacy levels and English as a second language (EAL) to more fully engage with their virtual learning needs. Not only have our pupils felt the advantage from Point but also parents with EAL and other users with learning difficulties wanting to engage with the school.

Symbols in a Local Authority
Warwickshire case study.

A partnership between the schools and Widgit explored ways that the symbols could be used, and it was quickly seen that many more children than just this one were benefitting from having symbols available.

Signage in a Leisure Centre
Symbolised Signage in South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre, Chelmsford.

South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre has a whole variety of members, some with disabilities. When they came to remake their signage they wanted them to be understood by everyone, and so they decided to include Widgit Symbols, as they were a symbol language they knew their members would understand.

Diabetes Widgit Symbol Resources
Specially-developed Widgit Symbols and resources to support people living with Diabetes.

In partnership with Warwick University, Warwick Diabetes Care Research User Group and the George Eliot Diabetes Care Team, Widgit created a set of 32 specially-developed symbols which illustrate words and concepts relating to Diabetes and healthy living.

Street Signs in Surrey
Symbols included on Surrey County Council's Street and Building Signs.

Claire Richards from Surrey County Council was responsible for a project to create a suitable environment for people with downs syndrome and dementia, looking at many design features such as symbols, to make the space as accessible as possible.

Childnet
Know IT All Internet Safety

Some groups of children are potentially more vulnerable and more at risk than others when using ICT. To assist these children Childnet teamed up with Widgit Software on a project to produce a whole set of Widgit Symbol materials.

Sherborne @ Sunfield Symbols
Widgit Symbols designed to support the Sherborne@Sunfield Project.

There is overwhelming evidence suggesting that the implementation of the SDM programme through structured teaching approaches targeted to autistic pupils' strengths as visual learners, through the use of visual cues contributed significantly towards pupils' engagement.

Granta Housing Society
Providing housing, care and support.

Granta have been working with Widgit software since 2007 on a number of projects to make their information more accessible. All of the documents created used the Widgit Symbol Set and utilised Widgit's expertise in creating simplified language and accessible resources.

Andrew using symbols to help with comprehension
By his mother.

Widgit symbols provide the tools we need to develop Andrew's skills and encourage participation in social activities which he finds difficult to engage in. It also prevents further deterioration in general communication, which has been going downhill since he left school.

City of York Council
Creating a standardised way of using symbols within York.

In York, it was widely recognised that symbol use was a very important part of the Inclusion Agenda in helping all children and young people in York to reach their full potential.

The Foundling Museum
The story of the Foundling Hospital.

This was a great opportunity to introduce the museum's visitors to the concept of symbol communication, which most are unfamiliar with. It also introduced a new way of interpreting exhibitions in the building and will become a natural addition to the museum's public interface wherever appropriate.

Learner Entitlement
Symbol Documents and Questionnaires from the Learning and Skills Council.

The Coventry & Warwickshire Learning and Skills Council produced Learner Entitlement Packs for all students aged 14-19. Widgit worked with them to create this document in 3 different formats: A symbol-supported version, a fully symbolised version and a quick reference mini booklet.

National Trust
Sensory Trail booklet and signage at Stourhead.

Following on from existing work with the Sensory Trust on the Eden Project, which involved the creation of Accessible Information and signage, Widgit Software again collaborated with the Sensory Trust - this time working with the National Trust at the Stourhead Estate in Wiltshire.

Exmoor Zoo
Creating accessible, symbol-supported information and materials for visitors to the zoo.

The Children with Disabilities Service, Doncaster Council

In order to ensure that all their visitors could get as much as possible from their visit, including those who may have difficulty understanding written information, Exmoor Zoo sought Widgit's help in making the information displayed around the zoo, handouts and learning materials more accessible.

Symbols

Symbol Users

How symbols are used

InPrint 4

Widgit Online

Customer information

International suppliers

Symbol-Friendly Organisations

Design Services

Symbol Signage

Symbol Licensing

Copyright

International

Contact Support

Training

File types

How to order

Success Stories

Symbol-friendly journeys with Nottingham Trams

Supporting English as an Additional Language (EAL) Learners

Inclusive animal experiences with Woburn

Making green spaces accessible in Warwickshire