Sensory disability services
Devon Sensory Team provides support and advice to people who:
- are visually impaired
- are Deaf
- have an acquired hearing loss
- are deafblind (sometimes known as a dual sensory impairment – a significant combination of hearing and sight loss)
All our staff will work with you, and your family or carers, to help you to live as independently as possible. You can contact the Devon Sensory Team by phoning Care Direct on 0345 155 1007.
Social workers with Deaf people usually support people who have been Deaf since birth, many of whom use BSL as a first language.
Social workers with Deaf people may also help:
- Deaf people access appropriate support from social care, this may include helping with a Care Act assessment
- to assist at all stages of life including, the transition from education to adulthood
- Deaf people to access supported living and employment
- support Deaf parents in caring for their children
- support Deaf people in coping with additional disabilities such as stroke and dementia
- find ways to encourage a Deaf person’s independence
- provide information about independent sign language translation and benefits
Rehabilitation officers with people who are visually impaired (ROVIs) can advise about registering as sight impaired or severely sight impaired and about the CVI (certificate of visual impairment) form.
They also help visually impaired people to learn new skills to continue with everyday tasks, from how to move around with greater safety and more confidence, to cooking.
Rehabilitation officers with people who are hearing impaired (ROHIs) support people with an acquired hearing loss which has become a problem later in life.
ROHIs may also:
- provide advice and guidance about making the best use of hearing aids (although ROHIs do not issue hearing aids or assess for hearing loss)
- provide information and advice about adjusting to a hearing loss and strategies to maximise the ability to understand conversation
- demonstrate and advise how to access equipment that can assist with everyday things such as telephones, doorbells, smoke alarms and baby monitors or equipment to support the enjoyment of television, radio or conversation
- provide information about issues related to hearing loss, including liaison with audiology departments and support to remain at work
- provide information about benefits that are available and other organisations offering support
- offer expert advice in any area where a hearing impairment is causing difficulties
ROHIs deal with any degree of hearing loss and work closely with other organisations such as hospital audiology departments, employers and job centres.
The Sensory Outreach Service
Staff run clinics in locations around West Devon, Torrington and Holsworthy on a regular timetable, offering a free, confidential and impartial service for people with a hearing or visual impairment.
