A new award for small organisations and groups who provide services for older people - including clubs, cafes, social groups and day-care centres.

1. BIG BEAVER
introduces
DEAFBLIND AWARE
a new award from
Hearing and Sight Solutions
Did you know that the red
and white cane is the symbol
that a person is deafblind?

2. Why this award?
• Many older people enjoy
visiting garden centres,
cafés, coffee shops and
clubs at community centres
and churches. Places where
they can enjoy a hot drink
and a natter.
• But, all too often, they find it
difficult to see the menu, to
hear what is being said or to
know what is happening.
Did you know that over
356,000 people in the UK
have a combination of sight
problems and hearing loss ?

3. Why deafblindness?
• The combination of sight
problems and hearing
loss leads to difficulty
with three things:
 communication
 access to information
 mobility
• As a result, many older
people choose not to go
out and about or to mix
with others and so
become lonely and
isolated.
Did you know that loneliness
is the biggest problem for
80% of deafblind people?

4. What will you gain?
• Deafblind Aware is an award for all organisations that
provide services that older people might enjoy.
• Staff and volunteers will receive training in deafblind
awareness including practice at some simple
communication techniques and guidance about how to
present information.
• Other topics covered include:
 menu presentation
 Signage
 loop systems and
 useful low vision aids
Did you know that 80% of
deafblind people have some
remaining sight and use
large print for reading?

5. What happens then
• Staff and volunteers who
attend will have the
opportunity to take part in a
short assessment after
which successful candidates
will receive a Deafblind
Aware certificate.
• Your organisation will also
receive a framed Deafblind
Aware award.
Did you know that most
deafblind people have some
hearing and use lipreading to
help with communication.?

6. What it costs
• Hearing and Sight Solutions recognises that the
financial climate is difficult for service providers
and has an affordable and simple price structure.
Our aim is to ensure that as many staff and
volunteers as possible receive excellent training at
a low cost.
 For a half day on your premises, provision of
handouts, assessment and award of
certificates the charge is £190 plus pre-agreed
travel costs.
Did you know that 93% of
deafblind people are over
sixty years old?

7. How to book training
• To arrange training please, first, look at our
website for more information about Hearing and
Sight Solutions and about deafblindness
 Contact us by e mail at
info@hearingandsightsolutions.org.uk
 or by telephone on 0794 100 7735 to discuss your
training needs.
 We will send you a full quote including travel costs.
 If you wish to proceed contact us again to decide on
suitable dates
Did you know that a few small
changes in the way you work
can make a BIG difference for
many deafblind people?

8. Thanks for watching
this presentation
We hope you enjoyed it
and look forward to
hearing from you soon!