It is estimated there are currently 23,000 deafblind people in the UK and an estimated 55,000 Deaf people who uses British Sign Language as their first and preferred language.

The term deafblind describes people who have a combination of hearing and sight impairment. This is a unique disability that affects people in varying ways and can also be referred to as a ‘dual sensory impairment’.

Deafblindness causes difficulties with:

Communication
Access to information
Mobility

These issues can lead deafblind people to become increasingly withdrawn and isolated. We aim to provide a service which promotes independence and to improve the quality of life both at home and in the community.

Deafblind
Our Guide Communicator Service enables people who are hearing and sight impaired to maintain independence at home and within the community.

Guide Communicators provide guiding and communication support.

Deaf
Our Support Workers communicate with the client in their preferred method of communication; such as British Sign Language or Sign Supported English.

Our aim is to provide an enablement service that promotes independence, autonomy and reduction of social isolation to maintain independence and improve quality of life.

Guide Communicator & Support Workers assist with:

Attending medical appointments
Shopping and checking food sell by dates
Budgeting and home management
Making telephone calls and dealing with correspondence
Participating in social and leisure pursuits
Accessing news, information and technology
Support to improve daily living

Advocates
Our advocates work with Deaf and sight/hearing impaired people, so they are aware of their rights and that their views understood by others. We will explore and develop options to deal effectively with clients’ situations, to promote equal rights, respect and independence to empower and take control of their lives and make their own decisions.

Interveners
Our interveners for children and young people up to 18 years of age will assist the child or young person in accessing information; empowering the child or young person to have independent mobility; assist them in interpreting the world and support their learning process.

Our service is a valuable addition rather than a substitute for other services
such as tenancy support or home care.