{"id":8882,"date":"2022-07-05T16:50:27","date_gmt":"2022-07-05T15:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/supportforschools\/?page_id=8882"},"modified":"2025-09-18T22:12:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T21:12:23","slug":"top-tips-for-msi-inclusion-in-the-classroom","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/multi-sensory-impairment\/top-tips-for-msi-inclusion-in-the-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"How to promote MSI inclusion in the classroom &#8211; Top tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"MSI Awareness training   Website   Top tips for supporting communication\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/5QR52u5FsII?feature=oembed&#038;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use a total communication approach (Speech, BSL, tactile cues, on-body signs, objects and sounds of reference).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visual cues can be used for activities and actions. Make sure these have meaning to the child or young person and are consistent across your setting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Give time to listen, process and respond.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep background noise levels to a minimum. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relay key information 1-1 and check understanding using open questions e.g. Can you show me etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gain attention before speaking \/ signing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider teaching position. Avoid standing in front of bright lights or windows. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid moving around the learning environment when talking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Face the class when speaking so that children and young people can see your lip patterns. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make facial expressions and emotions clear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Access to Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Position the learner near the focus of the lesson.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use real objects and images to support teaching and learning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pre-teach concepts, vocabulary and skills and revisit to check understanding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow time to explore.&nbsp;Use a hand under hand approach if appropriate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a cross-curricular approach to embed learning (e.g. maths skills in cookery).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid too many stimuli at the same time (visual, tactile and auditory info).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Present resources with good contrast, preferably on matte paper with a clear font such as Arial<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Text should be left aligned to make it easier to find the start of sentences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Environment and Getting Around<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Control lighting.&nbsp;Use blinds to reduce glare. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep darker areas well lit e.g. toilets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep floors and walkways clear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure key routes around school are free from hazards e.g. staples in displays especially for those using tactile navigation. Consider hand rails or large print signage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep classroom layout consistent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Furniture to have good contrast to help differentiate items.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activities to have a defined start and finish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Describe journeys to the learner as they are happening.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make the room acoustically suitable (i.e., carpeted floors, soft furnishings, wall coverings etc).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce audio and visual clutter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid patterns. Where possible, stick to plain carpets and walls and even your clothes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make displays accessible, e.g. good contrast, resources at an accessible height.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Position near sockets if assistive technology is used.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Communication Access to Information Environment and Getting Around &nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2471,"featured_media":0,"parent":8151,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-8882","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-23 05:53:45","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2471"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8882"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8882\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34006,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8882\/revisions\/34006"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}