Description
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.
Cost
Introductory price of £675 per delegate.
