Things to do
Activities for disabled children and young people with special educational needs and disability
Finding an activity
Some activities are run especially for children and young people who are disabled or have special educational needs while others offer support for disabled children to take part.
Web links
- The Family Information Directory - a searchable list of clubs and activities.
- Activities Oxfordshire – activities for young people aged 13-19 (up to 25 with learning difficulties and disabilities).
- Advice and information for young people in Oxfordshire oxme.info
- Short breaks - give disabled children and young people the opportunity to spend time away from their family and have fun. Activities range range from an hour a week to a residential holiday.
- Integrated Children’s Services – the new Family Solutions Service for children and families delivers services from eight children and family centres. Some of the centres provide activities for children and young people.
Help with joining in
Sometimes young disabled people need extra support to get out to have fun with friends.
Short breaks
- The Early Years Inclusion Support (Short Breaks) Scheme (under 5s)
- Inclusion Support (Short Breaks) Scheme (5-17 years)
- Enabler Support Scheme (0-17 years)
The schemes above all aim to promote inclusion and remove the barriers to play, childcare and leisure for disabled children and young people. There are also commissioned providers who provide out of school activities across the county. Find out more information on these providers and eligibility criteria for the funding.
Travel buddy scheme
- My Life My Choice runs a travel buddy scheme to help with learning to use public transport independently.
Accessible toilets and equipment
Changing places has a map of toilets that are fully accessible and have the equipment that disabled people may need. Changing places facilities are also available at
- The ICE Centre, Langdale Hall, Market Square, Witney, OX28 6AB. Open 9am – 4pm (Mon-Fri); 10am – 3pm (Sat). Please come to our reception desk on arrival.
- Oxford Sailing Club, Cumnor Rd, Oxford, OX2
- The Chiltern Centre for Disabled Children, Greys Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 1QR (please phone 01491 575575 in advance)
- Oxford Shopmobility Unit, Westgate Car Park Off Norfolk Street, Oxford, OX1 1NT.
Max card - discount scheme
The Max Card is a discount card for families of disabled children and children with additional needs. Families simply show their Max Card upon entry to a venue to obtain free or discounted admission.
It is designed to help families save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys and lots more.
The Max card is free to families in Oxfordshire - it has been funded by Oxfordshire County Council working in partnership with Action for Carers Oxfordshire.
Please visit www.mymaxcard.co.uk, where you can see a full breakdown of available attractions in Oxfordshire and across the country.
To register, please go to the Carers Oxfordshire webpage
Help and information
Search for organisations and groups on the Family Information Service website to support parents and carers of disabled children and young people and those with SEN and additional needs.
Contact us
Special Needs and Disability - The Local Offer team is here to help you. Contact us.
Impartial free advice and support - education
The special educational needs and disability information advice and support service (SENDIASS) offers impartial information, advice and support to parents of children and young people with SEN and disabilities regarding their education. You can get in touch by completing this online form.
The service aims to help parents, carers, young people and educational professionals to work together to provide the best possible support to children and young people with special educational needs, by:
- offering advice and training
- providing Independent parental supporters and independent supporters
- linking with other organisations who can offer help and support.
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