Sensory training can develop many different skills and is one of the most important methods of stimulating your child's senses, such as hearing, touch, smell and taste.

Using sensory equipment and apps will improve a child with a vision impairment's social, emotional and technological skills and have a positive effect on family relationships, interactions with friends and their school life.

We are here to help you select the most appropriate sensory toys, apps and equipment, such as bubble tubes and dark dens, and because we don't sell this equipment our advice is always independent and unbiased.

Sensory grants

Guide Dogs can help fund sensory equipment for home use based on the following criteria:

Recipients must:

• be aged 18 or under
• be certified or eligible to be certified as severely or partially sighted
• have a copy of a CVI or a letter from an ophthalmologist
• be supported by a VI professional at the time of submission

It’s really important you tell us how the item you are applying for will improve the applicant’s day-to-day life. More information will allow the grant board to make a more informed decision about your application.

For full details, please download our sensory grant application criteria PDF.

A 10% contribution of the total cost of the equipment is required if your application is successful before an order can be placed. One application, including an unsuccessful application, can be made per year and successful applicants can't apply again within a two-year period for the same or similar item.