Help Is Locally Available for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind

17th January 2015

Highland council will provide help for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or who are deaf and blind. Interpreters who can use sign language for any individuals is available by appointment. This might be required for a range of needs such as health related appointments. Check with the social work department or health department about these services or in Caithness you can also contact Caithness Deaf Care a voluntary group with paid staff.

Caithness Deaf Care
In Caithness, Caithness Deaf Care (CDC) provides services and support for deaf people who live at a considerable distance from the major service providers, Audiology and Social Work. Caithness Deaf Care was formed in response to pressure from deaf people, and they complement the work of Audiology and Social Work and, in turn, receive funding from them as well as from charitable trusts.

When CDC began in 1994 it had 60 deaf people registered for services; it now has 740.

The basic services provided are; maintenance/minor repairs of hearing aids in two deaf centres and for those in hospital,
residential care and for the housebound. Rural clinics are held in areas of poor transport, communication skills are taught - including lip-reading, people are given advice and support on how best to live with hearing impairment. In an attempt to
reduce social exclusion, basic sign language training is given to the hearing classmates of deaf children in mainstream
schooling.

CDC has entered a partnership with Visual Impairment Services Highland to provide support and training for people with visual impairment, using the two existing deaf centres as sensory centres.

CDC also works on behalf of Social Work Services, undertaking home visits for assessment for, and provision of, specialised devices to improve the quality and safety of life of those who live with deafness.