In the Edinburgh area, the annual month-long Play4It (primary) and Go4It (secondary) programmes for children of all abilities starts on July 17. The free activities include: rock climbing, kayaking, cycling, Battle of the Bands, dance, video making, animation and web journalism.

Polka Performers (right), an integrated dance, drama and music summer school for deaf and hearing young people will take place at Polka Theatre for Children in Wimbledon, London SW19, July 11-31, cost pound;200. Polka professionals will work with age groups eight to 12 and 13-16 to create new pieces to perform before family and friends.

The Back-Up trust is running integrated multi-activity youth courses for 13 to 17-year-olds paralysed by spinal cord injury at Calvert Trust activity centres in Keswick, July 22-29, Kielder, August 5-12, and Exmoor, August 19-26. Rowing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and skydiving events are also available and a water skiing course at Heron Lake, Middlesex, August 6-11.

Participants tackle challenges partnered by an able-bodied volunteer buddy.

Many museums will adapt activities to include children with SEN.

Weald and Downland open air museum, near Chichester, runs several event days a year especially for children with SEN. For example, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, July 6-7 (drama workshops and performances on medieval life and literature and chances to meet a medieval cook, apothecary and pilgrim badge maker).

Visually impaired people can make their voices heard in their local library during Make a Noise in Libraries fortnight, July 3-15. The National Library for the Blind and Calibre Audio Library have organised inclusive, accessible events.

www.play4it.edinburgh.com; www.go4it.edinburgh.com; tel: 0131 550 6824.

www.backuptrust.org.uk; tel: 020 8875 1805.

www.polkatheatre.com; tel: 020 8543 4888.

www.nlb-online.org; tel: 0161 355 2000.

www.wealddown.co.ukschool-barclays-SEN-five-special-event-days.htm; tel: 01243 811459.