Support for deafblind people
Help for people who have both hearing loss and sight loss.
On this page
Who this service is for
We help people who have both hearing loss and sight loss.
You do not need to have completely lost your hearing or your sight. Any combination of hearing and sight loss counts.
Watch in British Sign Language
This video explains how we can help you.
Transcript
Deafblindness is described as a combination of sight and hearing loss of varying levels, resulting in difficulties with:
- mobility
- communication
- access to information
You do not have to be completely deaf and blind.
Who are we?
We are a countywide team of specially trained and experienced workers who can carry out deafblind assessments, either at your home or in our offices in Oxford.
What do we do?
We can advise people of all ages who have a combination of sight and hearing loss, including:
- equipment assessments aimed specifically at your needs as a deafblind person, for example, lighting, daily living skills, telephone conversation, smoke alarms, television etc.
- specialist advice relating to your needs as a deafblind person
- specialist 1:1 support, for example, mobility and orientation, which could involve long cane training
- information on aspects of deafblindness
- deafblind children and deafblind parents, for example, linking with education, support, advice and equipment
How can we be contacted?
You can contact us directly either by telephone, in writing, email or text, or via our VRS (video relay service) through InterpretersLive!. You can access this via our website, or you can ask someone to contact us for you, for example, a friend, relative, neighbour, GP or eye specialist etc.
To access this service, we will need to carry out an assessment of needs. Please contact the Hearing Support Team or Vision Support Team to request a deafblind assessment.
Hearing Support Team
Telephone: 01865 323155
Email: hearing.support@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Vision Support Team
Telephone: 01865 323133
Email: vision.support@oxfordshire.gov.uk
SMS: 07991 3329501
Or write to us
Sensory Support Team
Adult Social Care
Bradbury Lodge
Gordon Woodward Way
Oxford
OX1 4XL
Ask for a deafblind assessment
We need to assess your needs before you can use this service.
Contact the Hearing Support Team or Vision Support Team to ask for a deafblind assessment.
Hearing Support Team
Telephone: 01865 323155
Email: hearing.support@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Vision Support Team
Telephone: 01865 323133
Email: vision.support@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Text message: 07991 3329501
Other ways to contact us
You can also contact us by post or video relay service (VRS) through InterpretersLive!. You can use the VRS through our website.
You can ask someone to contact us for you. This could be a friend, relative, neighbour, GP or eye specialist.
Write to us
Sensory Support Team
Adult Social Care
Bradbury Lodge
Gordon Woodward Way
Oxford
OX1 4XL