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 individual can give to anyone who comes to their door and who wishes to communicate with them.

The Communicard will contain some simple communication advice and the Communicard support line number.
The vistor can then phone for help, advice and practical support. The Communicard line operator will have at their fingertips previously agreed procedures for that individual.
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.

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 a 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.