Accessibility
At Wee Critters we aim to make our service as inclusive and enjoyable as possible for everyone! below you will find information to help you plan for your interactive animal education session to ensure that you have a stress-free and fun experience!
Animal-assisted therapy sessions
We offer specialised experiences and animal-assisted therapy sessions for adults, children and groups with accessibility requirements. Our sessions aim to deliver a sensory experience which encourages learning, expression of emotions and promotes relaxation through animal interaction. Find out more here.
JAM card members
Allan the Explorer and all Wee Critters staff and volunteers have received JAM Card training with the NOW Group. If you need a minute just let our team know by displaying your app or card!
Find out more about the JAM card at www.jamcard.org
Autism Spectrum
Autism NI Impact Award Champion
Wee Critters is a an accredited Autism NI Impact Award Champion. Our team has received this gold standard autism training which has given us the skills and support to better understand autism and support autistic individuals who attend our sessions.
Visual guide
We have developed a visual guide which has been designed to help you to prepare for the experience. This guide outlines what you can expect during the experience and the sights, sounds and smells you may encounter.
Armadillo sensory backpacks
We encourage group leaders, parents or teachers to bring a toy or activity to our sessions if this would be beneficial. If you have forgotten to bring something with you we have a couple of armadillo sensory backpacks which can be borrowed for the duration of the experience if needed.
An impact of Wee Critter's visual guide.
Wee Critter's sensory armadillo backpack and sensory toys
Visual or hearing impairment
Our sessions provide an interactive, educational and sensory experience for participants. Allan the Explorer has completed sensory loss awareness training with Sense NI and routinely works with individuals and groups with sensory loss or complex disabilities.
Assistance dogs
Only assistance dogs will be permitted to attend our interactive animal education sessions. Assistance dogs must:
-
have up to date vaccinations.
-
be kept under strict control and on the lead at ALL times.
-
have not shown any signs of illness, vomiting, diarrhoea in the last 72 hours.
-
be removed from close proximity to any wee critters if they are causing distress to the animal.
Please note that some of our animals may not take part in the session when a dog is present as this would cause them undue stress.
Assistive technology for people with hearing loss
Allan the Explorer can provide and use his voice amplifying microphone throughout the interactive animal education session (just let him know at the booking stage). He is also happy to use any other assistive technology that you may have at your venue and can also happily work with your sign language interpreter, if required.
Priority Queuing
If Wee Critters are onsite at an event, there may be a short wait to access the interactive animal education session. During busy periods, Allan the Explorer will be happy to support visitors with accessibility requirements by providing fast track access to anyone who displays their JAM card, Autism Alert Card or other relevant documentation.
How can we help?
If we can make any amendments to our service to provide a better experience for you, your family, class or group just get in touch and we would be happy to discuss.
Allan the Explorer has completed a range of training to make our service as accessible and enjoyable as possible.
-
Diploma in Zoo Animal Management (Sparsholt College)
-
Disability Awareness Training
-
Learning Disabilities Awareness Certification
-
Autism Awareness Training (provided by Autism NI)
-
Understanding Autism Certification
-
Understanding the Autism Spectrum (Queens University)
-
Sensory Steps Training ASD Processing & Sensory Equipment Training
-
Sensory Loss Awareness Training (Sense NI)
-
JAM card training (Now Group)
-
Child Protection Training (level 2)
-
Fully Access NI checked