Guide/Communicator Service
Deafblind Scotland’s Guide/Communicator service is available across Scotland. The service is tailored to meet an individual’s needs. It changes lives by enabling people to remain involved in their own community by:
- Ensuring equal access for individuals living with dual sensory impairment/ deafblindness.
- Promoting independence
- Providing stimulation
- Encouraging integration into the community
Guide/Communicators are highly skilled individuals, trained to be the eyes and ears of a deafblind person. They relay information, facilitate communication with others and ensure they are able to get about safely. They are neutral, alert and give information, not advice, without prior selection or processing.
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The role of a Guide/Communicator
To enable deafblind people to make informed decisions by ensuring information (spoken, non-verbal, written and environmental) is delivered using the deafblind person’s preferred communication method, such as British Sign Language, Deafblind Manual, hands-on-signing etc. They are professional communicators, and if necessary, will introduce a range of communication methods to a deafblind person and encourage their use until an appropriate level of competence is achieved. In their role as guide, they will also escort dual-sensory impaired people from their homes to the destination of their choice.
What our service users say about us:
- “I feel able to communicate with others”
- “My life is worth living.”
- “I am really confident and I can look forward to the future.”
- “I am more independent and valued as a person”
Introducing our Guide/Communicators
Guide/Communicators are highly trained to be the eyes and ears of people living with dual sensory impairments. They provide a range of information that ensures safe mobility. Guide/Communicators also make sure that information is accessible to a deafblind individual in his/her preferred communication method. Guide/Communicators undertake Signature approved training, including a Level 2 Award in Communicating with Deafblind people and British Sign Language and they receive on-going professional development.
All Guide/Communicators follow the Scottish Social Council’s Code of Practice for Social Care Workers, which you can view at http://www.sssc.uk.com/Codes -of-Practice/sssc-codes-of-practice-for-social-service-workers-and-employers.html.
Our service is integral to the April 2014 See Hear Strategy Scotland.
How to book a Guide/Communicator
- Telephone – 0141 777 7774
- Fax – 0141 777 5827
- Mini com – 0141 777 5822
- Text – 07715421377
- Email: servicesadmin@dbscotland.org.uk
When booking a Guide/Communicator please give us the following information: the date and time, and the purpose of the visit, such as a GP appointment or a shopping trip. The preferred communication method.
We want your feedback:
Do you know someone, either a family member or friend, who is currently a service user? If so, please take a few minutes to email servicemanager@dbscotland.org.uk with your feedback.