Accessibility is at the heart of special needs design. Making the rich experiences of the natural world available to sight impaired, hearing impaired, learning disabled or mobility impaired people is important to us at Greenstone Design.

Key features of our designs are:

• Raised planters to bring scent and colour to eye height for wheelchair users.
• Non toxic edible planting make a sensory garden safe for all.
• Sensory gardens with opportunities for climbing, swinging and balancing provide the most stimulating environment for special needs as well as able-bodied users. Bamboo bridges, tunnels and interactive sound and water features make the space come alive for adults and children.

A well-planned space will delight able-bodied users as well as those with special needs. Specialist advice should be sought from an experienced designer.

"When developing a design brief for a Special School or community garden, it is important that the gardens are a useful space that is an extension of what can be done within the facility and offer people places to go outside that are safe and engaging.”

Gayle Souter-Brown works with a team of professional landscapers, in response to the needs of the school, hospital or community.

“From a programmatic standpoint, it needs to be a beautiful space that relieves tension and provides the restorative properties of nature. We also want a place that would work well for staff, uplifting them and enhancing their programme.”

Social and therapeutic horticulture is catered for with rehab gardens in hospitals and care homes. Elements of every design include walkways within the garden structure, providing places for gathering and solitude, for working and resting, for visiting and observing, and playing and learning … all designed to support the well-being of garden users.

In a mixed use garden, it is good to incorporate a children’s area with play equipment, sensory garden and place for families to gather. “Through the use of perimeter planting walls and planters, a vine-draped trellis, raised camomile lawn, a butterfly garden, as well as plantings and ornamental fencing it is possible to create a secure area with active and quiet zones,” says specialist schools landscape designer Gayle Souter-Brown.

If space allows, a waterfall garden and pebble stream brings wonder to the garden.“This part of the garden is a safe area to explore, play and rest. Surrounding it by sweeping drifts of ornamental grasses and a small grove of ornamental shrubs would give a sense of enclosure,” says Souter-Brown.

Gardens for special needs users include overhead shade pergolas, large planters with ornamental trees, and raised beds for vegetables and herbs to keep the interest of wheelchair users and walkers alike. A working garden of raised beds and containers, and an area with planters and outdoor furniture for group activities would complete the space.

Seasonal interest and variety throughout the year are important. “It is important to create multiple sensory-stimulation environments, with plants selected for fragrance, texture, and colour, in a sequence of colour from spring to summer, summer to autumn, autumn to winter, and back to spring."

For further information on designing for people with special needs, please contact us. We can also supply environmental education teaching resources for teachers of students with special needs.

Help for Special Needs Schools! INSET Days planned specifically for this group are on offer from January 2009.If you are interested in hosting an INSET day on using your school grounds to enhance delivery of the National Curriculum, please contact us.

Or, if you would like to come to the Alice Holt Forest, Farnham, Surrey, we would be happy to welcome you to a mixed school event.

All abilities and age groups benefit from sensory stimulation. Seminar topics include sensory garden design - using planting, surfacing, appropriate play structures and interactive features such as water, sound and light. Sensory gardens can be designed as environmental study gardens too, to suit even modest budgets and tiny spaces. All designs are sustainable, easy to maintain and utilise local materials and craftsmen wherever possible.

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