The cost of sensory equipment

abi1987 · February 2018

Hi. I have a disabled son who is profoundly deaf and autistic. We were lucky enough to have some fantastic family and friends organise a fundraiser so we could create a sensory room for him. It cost over £5000...and that was for a 1.75m bubble tube, optic lights, a prjector a few other bits and bobs. After shopping around on numerous sensory sites...i was shocked and disgusted by how much some of the products were ridiculously overpriced...simply in my opinion because they are "sensory toys". Just one example ROMPA ask almost 70 pound + vat + postage for a wooden chime set on strings. I would like to know opinions on the cost of sensory equipment...if its worth it the quality etc. Im looking to write an letter to my local mp obviously my opinion is a bit biased so any feedback or comments would be appreciated.

Nystagmite · February 2018

Can you buy some of the equipment on places like Amazon? Yes, you'll pay VAT; but they're usually a lot cheaper.

abi1987 · February 2018

Yes you can buy loads of different sensory equipment through amazon...i probably should have been more specific my fault sorry. And also a bad use of example for the chime set. Its the larger more specialised sensory equipment such as the projectors, interactive touch boards, bubble tubes with touch pads to encourage cause and effect etc. But its not just the main cost of the equipment at start...for example to be able to have a warranty on a particular tube from a company you have to purchase a 75 pound + vat bracket..else warranty is void. Ongoing treatment solution to clean the solution is 80 + vat. Its costs like that i think are extortinate. Again i maybe biased. Which is why im asking for any opinions thank you. Im wondering is it possible to petition to a local mp about the possibility of making essential sensory items vat exempt...its probably never gonna happen but if no-one gives it a try who knows????

Ami2301 · February 2018

Hi Abi, I too am deaf, and blind (central vision loss). Have you contacted your local council to get in touch with their sensory support team? I had never heard of them but they have helped me so much. Hearing aids didn't work for me but my sensory support worker tried this hearing device and i could hear a bit clearer, I know it's off topic, I apologise, but it's worth a try
Ami xxx

Jean_OT · February 2018

Hi @abi1987

Some times when you look at sensory room equipment it certainly seems difficult to see how the high cost of it can be justified, especially if it is going to be used in a domestic setting. This issue has been raised as part of Scope's Extra Costs work, see:

https://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/extra-costs

https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/29710/guest-post-the-special-needs-price-tag

Flagging up your feelings about this with your MP would be a good idea in my opinion.

Also there is more advice about campaigning at:

https://www.scope.org.uk/Get-Involved/Campaigns/Your-Campaign

It would be interesting to hear how you get on.

Best Wishes

Jean

https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist

abi1987 · February 2018

Hi @Jean_Scope

Thank you for your reply and advice. And thank you for higlighting those articles. In particular @LauraRutherford article. Its nice to know it isnt just me that feels this way. I have only mentioned sensory equipment in my post, but i agree with you it goes much further that.

Out of interest has any else written to an mp about this and had a response??

Pippa_Alumni · January 2019

Hi @abi1987, how are you doing? Did you manage to source the equipment?

The cost of sensory equipment

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