Communicard - Offering support to communicate with deafblind
people
Deafblind people living alone in the community have particular
difficulties when there is a knock at the door and they have no
idea who is there or what they want. It could be:
- police
- fire services
- ambulance services
- utility company cutting off supplies
- council worker carrying out a repair
- double glazing salesman
Communicard aims to help both the visitor and the deafblind
person by offering live 1:1 advice on communication when it is most
needed.
How does it work?
The deafblind person registered will be given a supply of
Communicards which the deafblind invidual can give to anyone who
comes to their door and who wishes to communicate with them.
The Communicard will contain some simply communication advice and
the Communicard support line number.
The vistor can then phone for hlep, advice and practical support.
The Communicard line operator will have at their fingertips
previously agreed procedures for that individuals.
Where communication cannot easily be achieved, the Communicard
operator will arrange alternative means of getting information to
the deafblind person ie. braille, moon, large print etc etc.
Registering for Communicard Support
Individuals must be registered before the communication service
and information can accessed. This can be requested by:
- Social work departments
- Health Boards
- Emergency services
- Individuals/family members
The cost
Individuals can be registered for £290 year. Creating this
resource on a national basis, centrally located, enables many more
people to be serviced from one location, using small numbers of
staff, and allows costs to be kept to a minimum.