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Get the right help if you have a sight and or hearing impairment
If you’re blind, profoundly deaf, deafblind or experiencing sight or hearing loss, it is our priority to help you get access to the right care and support that you may need to stay as safe and independent as possible.
If you’re worried about your sight or hearing, you should visit your doctor (GP) for advice and guidance.
Sight assessment
Your doctor (GP) may refer you to an eye specialist, also known as a ‘consultant ophthalmologist’ for a sight assessment. Depending on the level of your sight problems, the eye specialist may complete a ‘Certificate of Visual Impairment’ which they will send to Vista.
Support services
Vista
Vista holds a register for people who are blind or deafblind.
If your eye specialist sends Vista a certificate of visual impairment, Vista will contact you to tell you about the benefits of registering on their voluntary register and about their services and what is available to support you.
If you or someone you know is starting to experience sight loss, Vista’s specialist staff can help by providing practical information, support and solutions to living and working with sight loss.
Sense
You can get free and impartial information about complex sensory and communication needs, including deaf blindness on the Sense website.
The Leicester Deaf Action Group (LDAG)
The Leicester Deaf Action Group (LDAG) is based at Frog Island in Leicester and runs weekly sessions for Deaf people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. They provide a general information service, free letter translation and social activities.
Being part of your community
It’s important to stay active and connected in your community. If you’re feeling isolated or lonely contact our Local Area Co-ordinators who may be able to tell you what’s going on in your area and can put you in touch with a group or activity.
Equipment to support you with everyday tasks
If you’re having difficulties as a result of your impairment, there’s a wide range of equipment, technology and gadgets you can get such as alarms, sensors, adapted telephones, television loops and grab rails.
How Adult Social Care can help
If you think you need more help to identify what your care and support needs are, you can ask for a care and support assessment.
Your care and support assessment is free but you may have to pay towards any services that you need.
If you’re deafblind we have commissioned Vista to act as a ‘communicator guide’. The communicator guide will assist the allocated social care worker to ensure you are involved in your care and support assessment.
To request a care and support assessment, contact Adult Social Care, available Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5 pm or Friday, 8.30am to 4.30 pm.
If you’re looking after someone with a sight or hearing loss, you may benefit from a carer’s assessment to find out what support might be available to you.
Contact Adult Social Care:
Call: 0116 305 0004
Mobile: 07949 633 788 (text)
Email: AdultsandCommunitiesCSC@leics.gov.uk
Benefits and financial help
You may be eligible for benefits or services depending on your disability:
blue badge parking permit if you have severe mobility problems