Installation of sensei's tactile surfaces at Welcombe Hills school
🔹 A Collaborative Effort for Inclusive Navigation
At Welcombe Hills School, our mission was simple: to make navigation accessible for visually impaired and neurodivergent students—without requiring costly renovations or digital systems. This video captures the installation process of Sensei’s tactile wayfinding system, showing how simple yet impactful accessibility solutions can be.
🔹 Understanding the School’s Needs
Before installation, we worked closely with Headteacher Vikki King and her team to identify the key areas where students needed more independence in navigation. The goal was to ensure that students could confidently move around the school without relying on staff assistance.
- Challenges Identified:
✔️ Long, indistinct corridors making it difficult for students to orient themselves
✔️ Key areas like classrooms, sensory rooms, and exits needing clearer wayfinding
✔️ The need for color-coded and tactile-based navigation to support different learning styles
🔹 Customizing Sensei for the School Environment
Every Sensei installation is tailored to fit the space and user needs. At Welcombe Hills School, we:
✅ Designed a tactile wayfinding system with distinct patterns for different school zones
✅ Used vibrant colors to create a dual-sensory experience, benefiting both neurodivergent and visually impaired students
✅ Strategically placed markers along key routes to promote independent navigation
The result? A school environment where students can explore with confidence and ease.
🔹 The Installation Process: Simple, Fast & Non-Disruptive
One of the biggest advantages of Sensei is that it doesn’t require complex wiring, tech installations, or structural changes.
🔧 Installation Steps:
1️⃣ Planning & Placement – Identifying key pathways and high-traffic areas
2️⃣ Applying Tactile Markers – Installing Sensei’s unique, touch-based guidance system
3️⃣ Testing & Adjustments – Ensuring the placement aligns with student needs and daily routines
4️⃣ Student Engagement – Introducing the system to students, so they can start using it right away
⏳ Time to install? Just a few hours! Unlike traditional accessibility renovations, Sensei is quick to implement and cost-effective.
🔹 The Impact: Empowering Students Through Touch
Since installing Sensei, the feedback from staff and students has been incredible:
✔️ Increased student independence – Kids can now navigate without waiting for assistance
✔️ Better spatial awareness – The tactile markers help students recognize and remember routes
✔️ Enhanced confidence & inclusion – Creating a school environment where every child feels empowered
💡 One teacher shared: "It’s amazing to see students moving around more confidently. They now have a real sense of where they are and where they’re going."
🔹 Why Sensei?
🚀 Fast & easy to install – No major renovations needed
🎯 Designed for real-world use – Practical, intuitive, and instantly beneficial
🌍 Scalable & adaptable – Works for schools, workplaces, hospitals, and public spaces
At Welcombe Hills School, we saw firsthand how small changes in design can make a big impact on inclusion and accessibility.
🔹 What’s Next?
We’re expanding our pilot project to more schools across the UK! If your school, hospital, or workplace is interested in improving accessibility, get in touch today.
📍 Find us at Naidex to experience Sensei firsthand!
🌐 Learn more: www.senseiforall.com