Services for people with hearing loss

For the hearing world the experience of Deafness is hard to imagine.  It takes for granted sounds and words and places importance upon these sounds and words which limits their ability to understand the deaf experience and in turn, affects their ability to respond practically to deaf peoples needs.

Society places great emphasis on the ability to communicate within the norm.  Verbal and written ability is an accepted measure of intellectual capacity and failure to achieve this can mean that perception of the individual is distorted.

It should be possible to build a bridge between hearing and Deaf worlds which takes into account individual experiences and preferences.  This means developing policies and practices, which develop and maintain Deaf culture within the hearing world.

"Staffordshire County Council is not responsible for any of the content of external websites."

The RNID has more very useful information and resources.

The Disability Services Team

We have specialist workers to look at your needs and how your needs may be met, for both adults and children with hearing loss, sight loss or physical disability.

An assessment can be made to work out the best services to enable you to live more independently and safely within your own home. We can then develop a care plan which lists the kind of support to best meet your needs.

The team operates a prioritised waiting list.  This is so those in the greatest need are visited first to be assessed.  If there is likely to be a delay you will be notified in writing.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can now download and complete a self assessment form and send it in to your local area office - see link below for area office addresses.  Self Assessment Form

How to contact us

Anyone can ask for an assessment or information from the Disability Services team.  Contact our office for more information.

Social Workers understand Deafness and the 'Deaf Way' and can communicate in sign language.  They also understand about Deaf/Blind and can communicate with Deaf/Blind people.

Social Workers for Deaf People can assess the needs of Deaf people, partially Deaf people and Deaf/Blind people and help you with benefits and fill in forms.  They can tell you about Deaf registration and other services and where to go to get help.

Social workers can register you with the County Council. The register is confidential and it means we can provide the government with statistics to show how many people are Deaf, Deaf Blind, Hard of Hearing, Partially sighted or Blind within Staffordshire.

This information helps to provide the best service for people with sensory loss.

You do not have to register if you do not want to. If you agree to being placed on the register you will be provided with a Certificate confirming you are registered with Staffordshire County Council.

Rehabilitation Officers for people with hearing loss are able to help you to understand your hearing loss, provide information and support on communication tactics and will assess for equipment to help you to be aware of everyday sounds within the home i.e the doorbell ringing, smoke alarm etc. They will also tell you about deaf registration.

Occupational Therapists/Occupational Therapy Assistants will help you if you are physically disabled. Providing information, arranging for the provision of specialist equipment. Advice on disabled facility grants, building alterations and the purchase of equipment. 

Who pays for and arranges an interpreter?

1.  Social Care & Health will arrange and fund an interpreter for the service they provide.

Social Care & Health will only pay for the interpreter if it is about social work or another service they provide, if it is to visit the doctor, solicitor, job centre, hospital, etc you will have to contact the interpreter unit at:

RNID Communication Support Unit

Voice:               01902 423717

Minicom:         01902 423716

Video Phone: 01902 310116

Fax:                  01902 714456

2. Other professionals or organisations will be responsible for funding and arranging an interpreter.

3. Interpreters are available for British Sign Language, Deaf/Blind Communication, Lip Speaking, Note Taking, Speech to Text (Speed Text), Palan Type, Hands On Signing and Sign Supported English

Minority Ethnic Deaf People

Research has indicated that the take-up of services by Deaf people from black and ethnic minority communities is low.

These service users may face double isolation.  They may be isolated by the communication barrier and also encounter extra barriers caused by difference in language, culture and religion.

Many of them have little knowledge of services provided by the local authority, or, it could be that existing services may be inappropriate to their needs.

It is important to be aware that information about their own culture, religion and customs may not be available to them in an accessible form.  This is partly due to the fact that there may be communication difficulties within the Deaf person's family or that education was within a Deaf but mainly white environment.

Workers will need to have an awareness of, and be sensitive to the cultural and religious issues relating to Deafness in different communities.

If you are using an interpreter, it may be necessary to find one who is knowledgeable about the Asian language and is also a British Sign Language user.

The role of an advocate

The role of an advocate is to support their partner in exercising their own personal power.  This is achieved by sharing information but not giving advice.  An advocate will develop a one-to-one relationship with a partner for as long as both partners wish.

An advocate should obtain the consent of the partner before taking up an issue on that partner's behalf.  Advocates should, as far as possible, act with their partner.

Advocates should make every effort to adhere to the obligations that each advocacy relationship demands.

How can you get an Advocate?

You can ask a social worker for the deaf for an advocate.  The Social Worker for the Deaf makes a referral to the appropriate agency.

Who pays for an Advocate?

Social Care & Health will fund and arrange an advocate for services provided by them.

Intervenor Service

A contract now exists with sense to provide an Intervenor service for Deafblind Adults and Children. Intervenor's work with people who have severe congenital sight and hearing disabilities. Intervenor's work on a on-to-one basis to enable learning of communication, independence and new skills.

The cost of the intervenor service is:

Pre-Service Assessment £100 - written report is provided by Sense following this, which details the support needed and Intervenor level is required.

Hourly Rates

Level 1 (Deafblind service user with no additional disabilities, main mode of communication is speech)

Level 2 Deaf blind service user possibly with additional disability or challenging behaviour, using total communication)

Level 3 (As level 2 service user may have health needs and communicates using total communication, BSL or SSE. Intervenor needs a recognised qualification - e.g. NNEB, Learning Support Worker).

Level 4 (Deafblind service user with specific health or emotional needs needing intensive support. Intervenor needs a variety of qualifications eg NNEB, teacher, BSL 2, Moon/Braille, Mobility)

 Level 5 (Service user has very complex support needs - communication, behaviour, health etc. Intervenor qualified to degree level, plus BSL 3 etc.)

(Mileage Rate as agreed by contract per mile)

To make a referral contact the information referral officer sense west, Birkdate Ave, Selly Oak, Birmingham 0121 4152723 or 0121 415 2720

Communicator Guides

Many people, especially older people, may be affected by the combined disability of sight and hearing impairment, without this being immediately apparent.  This is where sight and hearing problems together cause difficulty with communication, access to information or mobility.

Communicator-Guides can help people to remain independent within the community, access information, help with mobility and aid communication.

To access this service contact: Deafblind UK 

Phone 01733 358100 or email

Gina@deafblinduk.demon.co.uk

Hearing loops are available in some libraries. Sub-titled videos are available free of charge on request.

For people learning British Sign Language, tutors on video are available for loan and courses on CD-Rom are available for use in libraries.

We also have many useful contact details for battery repair centres, deaf clubs and much more.

 Services for deaf people in and around Staffordshire (Word, 152 kb)

If you need help you can contact us by phone, letter or by visiting the nearest Area Office to your home.  Or, you can email us at: social.services@staffordshire.gov.uk

You can also ask for a service or a ask for more information online.

 

Last Modified: 15/10/2007 12:07:43
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