Deafblind
Services for people with a dual sensory impairment
If you are experiencing problems because of a combined impairment of vision and hearing, then Walsall Services for Deafblind People may be able to help.
"Services for Deafblind People" aims to improve and maintain the quality of life of people with a severe combination of both sight and hearing impairment.
The service offers specialist assessment, advice and information. We also offer one to one support workers who can help with communication, mobility and social support.
The service also holds and updates a record of people with a dual sensory loss living in the borough of Walsall.
The most common definition of Dual Sensory Loss/Deafblindness:-
"Persons are regarded as Deafblind if they have a severe degree of combined visual and auditory impairment, resulting in problems of communication, access to information and mobility".
Relatively few people are profoundly deaf and totally blind. The term deafblind covers all people with a significant sight and hearing loss.
Register of deafblind people
A register of deafblind people is held and updated by the service.
In order to be registered, you must have a significant impairment of sight and hearing which is causing difficulties in communication, access to information and mobility. Registration is voluntary and does not effect any services you could get or services you are already getting.
Assessment and eligibility
A specialist assessment can be carried out in your home. The assessment may highlight the difficulties you are having because of failing sight and hearing, where advice and support from our specialist team could be beneficial. The assessment gives you the opportunity to talk about any difficulties you are facing. The assessment will cover the need for one-to-one human contact, assistive technology and rehabilitation. If you need any rehabilitation services or equipment we will refer you to one of these teams:
Services for people with a visual impairment
Services for deaf and hearing impaired people
We decide if you are eligible for these services through a programme called Fair Access to Care Services after you have been assessed we will send you an eligibility checklist to show how we have decided on the services you can receive.
Awareness raising and training
For more details on basic/accredited training in the field of Deafblindness, communication and guiding skills, please contact the service.
Services for children
Services for deafblind people may advise other professionals on relevant services and support for deafblind children.
If you have a query about a child with a dual sensory impairment please contact Children and families.