Miss-Delectable
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http://www.whtimes.co.uk/content/wh...ewswhtnew&itemid=WEED27 Jun 2006 16:58:43:413
EVERYDAY activities such as going shopping or visiting the doctor don't pose many problems for most people.
But those who are deaf and blind can find these everyday tasks a struggle.
Deafblind Awareness Week, which started on Monday is aimed at raising awareness of the issues faced by people who have these problems.
And the campaign called Fill in the Gaps, run by the national organisation Sense, was launched this week to highlight how the issue can affect older people.
It is estimated that 22 per cent of people over 60 have both a hearing and visual impairment - some two million people in the UK.
In Hertfordshire, the county council's sensory services team, based at the Woodside Centre, The Commons, WGC, try to make a huge difference to people's lives.
Jackie Kidd, a community care officer, carries out assessments on those who have lost their sight and hearing to different extents to assess what can be done to help.
"The majority of people that I go to see that have dual sensory loss have acquired it later on in life," she said.
"I go out and visit people in their homes, carry out a full assessment to see if there is anything else we could be providing by way of equipment.
"If they have some eyesight and hearing we could provide things to help them hear their TV, doorbells, telephones. For their eyesight we can provide special lighting and magnification.
"Alongside that I look at issues around isolation. If appropriate I can provide a communicator guide for one or two hours a fortnight, a month, whatever we decide is appropriate."
Communicator guides act as the client's eyes and ears and accompany them if they want to go out, and let them know what is going on around them.
They do this through British Sign Language or by using the deafblind manual alphabet, finger spelling out words on the hand.
For many, the guides make a huge difference.
Andrew, 84, already had a hearing impairment when he started to lose his sight.
He said of his communicator guide: "With his help I can do some gardening which I enjoy and get out and about. It makes a world of difference."
The assessments, and help, are provided free of charge through Herts County Council for those who fit the criteria.
If you or a relative has significant sight or hearing loss, get in touch with Jackie and the sensory services team by calling Herts County Council on 01438 737400.
For more on deafblind awareness, including e-cards, visit www.sense.org.uk
EVERYDAY activities such as going shopping or visiting the doctor don't pose many problems for most people.
But those who are deaf and blind can find these everyday tasks a struggle.
Deafblind Awareness Week, which started on Monday is aimed at raising awareness of the issues faced by people who have these problems.
And the campaign called Fill in the Gaps, run by the national organisation Sense, was launched this week to highlight how the issue can affect older people.
It is estimated that 22 per cent of people over 60 have both a hearing and visual impairment - some two million people in the UK.
In Hertfordshire, the county council's sensory services team, based at the Woodside Centre, The Commons, WGC, try to make a huge difference to people's lives.
Jackie Kidd, a community care officer, carries out assessments on those who have lost their sight and hearing to different extents to assess what can be done to help.
"The majority of people that I go to see that have dual sensory loss have acquired it later on in life," she said.
"I go out and visit people in their homes, carry out a full assessment to see if there is anything else we could be providing by way of equipment.
"If they have some eyesight and hearing we could provide things to help them hear their TV, doorbells, telephones. For their eyesight we can provide special lighting and magnification.
"Alongside that I look at issues around isolation. If appropriate I can provide a communicator guide for one or two hours a fortnight, a month, whatever we decide is appropriate."
Communicator guides act as the client's eyes and ears and accompany them if they want to go out, and let them know what is going on around them.
They do this through British Sign Language or by using the deafblind manual alphabet, finger spelling out words on the hand.
For many, the guides make a huge difference.
Andrew, 84, already had a hearing impairment when he started to lose his sight.
He said of his communicator guide: "With his help I can do some gardening which I enjoy and get out and about. It makes a world of difference."
The assessments, and help, are provided free of charge through Herts County Council for those who fit the criteria.
If you or a relative has significant sight or hearing loss, get in touch with Jackie and the sensory services team by calling Herts County Council on 01438 737400.
For more on deafblind awareness, including e-cards, visit www.sense.org.uk