Deafblind - Information and Services

Our Guide-Communicator Service enables KAB to meet the one-one support needs of people with dual sensory impairment.

KAB, in partnership with the Kent County Council, Medway Council and Bromley Council provide a service for people with dual sensory impairment. Dual sensory impairment creates difficulties with communication, access to information and mobility, therefore enforcing isolation.

Guide Communicators are human enablers, trained to meet the needs of people with a dual sensory impairment and their support may prevent a person from becoming lonely, withdrawn, depressed and at risk.

For example, a Guide-Communicator will enable a person with dual sensory impairment to continue to do the following and many other tasks for him/ herself:

• Go to the GP/ hospital/ dentist
• Go out safely to access essential services
• Food shopping
• Checking food in storage for hygiene
• Other shopping (eg clothes)
• Support with using environmental aids
• Make telephone calls
• Payment of bills
• Read correspondence
• Check labels on medication
• Write/ type correspondence
• Communicate in groups
• Communicate one-to-one
• News and information update
• Leisure pursuits
• Take exercise

Guide-Communicators will provide a crucial link for people with dual sensory impairment to essential services, including the KAB, Deaf Services Bureau and Health Services. The Guide-Communicator Service will also be able to provide support to people with dual sensory impairment in emergency situations (for example, if admitted to hospital and the staff are unable to communicate with them).

Service Aims

The trained Guide-Communicator will support the person with dual sensory Impairment. This is to enable them to achieve a greater level of independence to reduce factors of risk and to have a greater access to the community. As a result, demand for other services via Care Managers may be reduced. A Guide-Communicator will enable service users to:

• Retain their independence
• Maintain independent living skills
• Gain access to all community services
• Integrate into normalised activities
• Relieve isolation
• Contact statutory services
• Reduce situations of risk
• Provide respite for carers

Eligibility Criteria

The service is only available to people who are defined as having significant hearing and sight impairment. The service is designed for adults and elderly people living independently, in sheltered housing and in residential care.

Service Availability

The level of service offered will be determined in consultation with you, the person with dual sensory impairment and by the availability of Guide-Communicators in the area. Sessions will be a minimum of two hours duration. The service will be available Monday to Saturday inclusive 7am - 7pm. An extension to include Sundays and unsocial hours may be introduced dependent upon demand. This would involve additional costs.

Charges

Our hourly rates are currently under review, please call the telephone number at the bottom of the page for more information.

Travel Costs - Charges to Care Managers

Purchasers are required to pay a mileage charge of 32p per mile in addition to the hourly rate. This is to cover the approved mileage of the Guide-Communicator when transporting the person with dual sensory impairment.

Expenses

KAB will meet the approved expenses of Guide-Communicators. However, the person with dual sensory impairment will be liable for their own expenses and in some instances those of the Guide-Communicator too.

The Guide-Communicator Services Manager is available to assist in the holistic assessment relating to risk and dual sensory impairment and to contribute to the part of the individual's care plan relating to the Guide-Communicator Service.

To make a referral to the Guide-Communicator Service please contact Lynne Cameron. Following an initial referral, you will receive acknowledgement of your request within 5 working days.

Lynne Cameron
Deafblind Services Manager
Kent Association for the Blind
51 London Road
Canterbury
Kent, CT2 8LF.

Telephone: 01227 379333 (voice/ text)
Facsimile: 01622 663999

Email: deafblind@kab.org.uk

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Help with Hearing Loss

Consult your GP if you suffer from hearing loss.

You could also approach the Kent County Council Deaf Services Bureau.

They offer a countrywide service to people who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Contact:

Dover
Telephone: 01304 202525
Minicom: 01304 225975
Facsimile: 01304 241888

Rochester
Telephone: 01634 294019
Minicom 01634 294768
Facsimile: 01634 294535

Hi Kent

Hi Kent has three Resource Centres where useful aids and equipment can be tried out, without obligation.

West Kent Hi Centre

18 Brewer Street Maidstone Kent England ME14 1RU

Telephone: (44) 01622 691151 Minicom: (44) 01622 687187 Fax: (44) 01622 675745

Email: Michael.Coomber@kent.gov.uk

Normal open hours are: 9.00am - 1.00pm; 2,00pm - 5.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Please note that Wednesdays are normally reserved for Community work.

It is very helpful if you can make an appointment before visiting.

East Kent Hi Centre

46 Northgate Canterbury Kent England CT1 1BE

Telephone: (44) 01227 760046 Minicom: (44) 01227 760046 Fax: (44) 01227 760068

Email: Jon.Lambert@kent.gov.uk

Usual opening hours: 9.00am - 1.oopm and 2.00pm - 5.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Please note that Wednesday is normally reserved for Community work.

It is very helpful if you can make an appointment before visiting.

Medway Hi Centre

Audiology Unit The Medway Maritime Hospital Windmill Street Gillingham Kent England ME7 5NY

Telephone: (44) 01634 825043 Voice and Minicom

Email: L.Dray@kent.org.uk

Usual hours 9.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm Monday to Thursday

Please note that Friday is normally reserved for Community Services.

It is very helpful if you can make an appointment before visiting.

Enquiries concerning items of equipment can be sent by Email to Equipment@hikent.org.uk; enquiries of a more general nature can be addressed to enquiries@hikent.org.uk

Information for People with dual sensory impairment

Deafblind UK'S 24 hour helpline for deafblind people and carers can be contacted free of charge on 0800 132320

Sense - The National Deafblind Charity Telephone: 0845 127 0060

Library Services

Prince Michael of Kent Tape Library for the Blind has changed its address and telephone number to:

Unit 1
Park Royal Links
Old Oak Lane
London
NW10 6UD

Telephone: 0181 838 4384

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