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In many legislative areas, deafblind people have the legal right to an advocate, but those independent advocates are unlikely to have any awareness of the barriers to communication and other issues faced by deafblind people.
This specialist course is offered in partnership with Hi-Vis UK (Hearing Impairment – Visual Impairment Support UK) and gives attendees a Level 3 OCN qualification.
Course content
The first and second sessions cover:
Causes Types and prevalence ofdeafblindness (dual sensory loss)
How to recognise the signs ofdeafblindness
Impacts of deafblindness on mobility, access to information and communications
Impacts of deafblindness on vulnerability, isolation, and health
Types of deafness, hearing impairment; hearing aids, audiograms and tinnitus
Categories of blindness, visual impairment: stroke related, age related and Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Communication skills and tactics including deafblind manual and deafblind block tactile.
Aids and equipment to support communication
Working with Communication Support Professionals
The principles of Communicator Guiding
The third and fourth sessions covers:
Supporting deafblind individuals through independent advocacy
The core legislation that underpins advocacy practice for deafblind people
Care Act 2014 anddeafblindness
Core advocacy principles and skills
Safeguarding is fundamental
Market Shaping
Mental Capacity Act 2005, independent advocates or IMCAs
DoLS and deafblindness
Dual Role Advocacy
Mental Health Act 1983/2007/2025 and IMHAs
IMHA or IMCA
Equality Act 2010
Human Rights Act 1998
Trauma Informed Advocacy
CoP, LPA and Deputyship
The fifth Session covers:
Advocacy for Congenital Deafblind individuals
Advocacy for deafblind children and their families
How to distinguish between deafblindness and cognitive decline
Advocating for deafblind people with dementia or cognitive decline
Advocating for deafblind people with additional mental difficulties/disability
Advocate responsibilities before any deafblind assessment or decision
Learning outcomes
Learners will understand:
How to support deafblind people to understand their rights in a number of statutory settings
How to identify that someone may be deafblind under the DHSC definition
How to communicate with or arrange specialist communication support for deafblind clients
How to ensure that deafblind people are supported to deal with difficult issues and receive appropriate services
Who should attend?
This course is designed for Advocates, Social Work Professionals and Local Authority and NHS Commissioners who need to understand the barriers faced by deafblind and sensory impaired people in accessing their rights in a range of statutory settings.
Duration
This Course is usually delivered over five half day sessions via MS Teams online. From Monday 12 October through Friday 16 October.