Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing

Our Sensory Services Team provides support for people who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. The team includes a community care assessor for equipment and a specialist worker for people who are members of the Deaf community.

Some people have a dual sensory loss, with both hearing loss and low vision. These factors are taken into account at the initial assessment stage and if necessary our Low Vision Services staff will work alongside to offer additional support.

How can we help you?

We will be able to advise you about a range of support services that may be of benefit. We have good links with education and health, particularly audiology and with local user groups.

You will usually be offered a home visit where we will talk with you about the kind of help you think you need and, together, we will agree on what would best support you.

Information and advice

Information and advice is available on all issues to do with deafness, including:

• benefit entitlement
• services available from national organisations
• details of local developments or groups such as lipreading or sign language classes

Equipment

You can be assessed for equipment which could help you to remain independent and safe. This can include:

• doorbells
• smoke alarms
• television listening aids
• telephone equipment
• personal listeners
• baby monitors
• pagers

Advocacy and communication

Advice and support can be offered where your deafness may be leading to difficulties in everyday living or at work. Where appropriate, arrangements can be made to provide a BSL/English interpreter or access to communication support.

Scottish Borders BSL/English Interpreting Service

The Borders Interpreter Agency is supported by NHS Borders and our Social Work and Practice team. If you need a BSL/English interpreter to access our Social Work services or medical services provided by NHS Borders, then we will make the necessary arrangements for one to be present.

All the interpreters we use are either SASLI or ASLI registered. All information about appointments/meetings are strictly confidential. The interpreter's role is to enable you to access information, resources and services directly.

Please contact us as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to ensure an interpreter is made available:

• email – sbia@scotborders.gov.uk
• phone – 01450 364 644

The Scottish Government has a British Sign Language National Plan aimed at making Scotland the best place in the world for BSL signers to live, work, visit, and learn.