How can I design an accessible tactile or sensory book?

Any authors or publishers seeking advice on transcribing books into braille should email [email protected]. 

You can bring a story to life for a child with vision impairment through a tactile or accessible book. 

You could create a sensory story to fit a book you already own, or you could lay some items out and see if any stories or themes come to mind. Gather tactile objects such as fabrics with different textures (smooth, soft, rough, stiff or fluffy), items like bits of wool, twigs and straw or objects from around the home that the child can identify, such as buttons, sequins and coins. 

Please ensure all objects are non-toxic and safe for the intended child’s ability levels. 

Play around and move the objects into groups based on what you want the story to look like. If you’re creating your own book, they could be items that are all smooth or all rough - this could inspire you to make a book based on opposites, e.g. rough and smooth, big and small. 

When you're happy with the order of the sensory objects, lay each group on paper in page order and construct the sensory book. Use a glue gun or PVA glue to stick the objects into place. Tactile books are bulky so you may need to think about the different ways you can bind your book together. You could punch holes on the pages and place them into an A4 ring binder or tie the pages together using string threaded through the holes. 

Some organisations provide tactile stories or storysacks: 

ClearVision has a tactile book lending library and also provides guidance, resources and a competition on making tactile books.  

Positive Eyes have some excellent free resources available on their website. 

RNIB Specialist Advice Service Advisors can give further information on this topic