Services for people with sensory impairments
On this page:
- Services for people with hearing difficulties
- Who can have this service?
- Will I have to pay towards this service?
- To make a referral
- Other services
- Services for people with sight difficulties
- Who can have this service?
- Will I have to pay towards this service?
- How to refer
- Other information
- Useful information about the Sensory Resource Team
Services for people with hearing difficulties
If you are deaf or hard of hearing and are finding it hard to manage you can get help and support from our Sensory Disabilities Resource Team. They can offer:
- A rehabilitation service
- Equipment for day-to-day living, for example flashing doorbells, telephone amplifiers, television amplifiers and Minicom
- Training in communication skills - using British Sign Language or Deaf Blind Manual
- Advice and information on what is available locally, regionally and nationally
Who can have this service?
You should be live in Waltham Forest, and be deaf or hard of hearing and in need of our help, or be caring for someone who lives in Waltham Forest and is deaf or heard of hearing.
Will I have to pay towards this service?
No. These services are free based on need, although there may be running costs such as replacing batteries for certain items of equipment.
To make a referral
If you feel this service will help you or the person you are caring for please contact the Access and Assessment Team by calling 020 8496 3000.
If you are having inpatient treatment at Langthorne, Whipps Cross or Chingford hospitals you can ask ward staff to contact hospital-based social workers for you. They should provide language interpreters, including a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
Contact the Sensory Resource Team using the contact details on the right hand side of this page.
Please note: Deaf BSL users can access our drop-in service at this address.
Monday 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm
Wednesday 2pm-4pm
Friday 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm
Staff will communicate in sign language
Other services
Walthamstow Deaf Club
Walthamstow Deaf Club meet every Wednesday evening at 7pm and is a friendly and supportive club for Deaf and hearing people where sign language brings everyone together. They run a range of activities and also sign language workshops. For more information visit their website www.walthamstowdeafclub.org.uk.
Deaf Blind UK
Deafblind UK is a national charity which provides a range of support services to deaf and blind adults and their carers.
Services for people with sight difficulties
If you are blind or partially sighted and are finding it difficult to manage you may be able to get help from our Sensory Disabilities Resource Team. They can offer:
- A rehabilitation service e.g. mobility training, daily living skills
- Following assessment equipment identified that will assist you with daily living tasks
- Training in communication skills, for example typing, Braille, Moon and Deaf-Blind Manual
- Information about other local, regional and national services
Who can have this service?
you should live in Waltham Forest, and be blind or partially sighted and need help, or are a carer of someone in Waltham Forest who is blind or partially sighted and needs help, and you have had a Community Care Assessment which shows you need this service.
Will I have to pay towards this service?
No. There is no charge for this service or the equipment we can provide.
How to refer
If you feel this service will help you or the person you are caring for contact the Access and Assessment Team by calling 020 8496 3000.
If you are having inpatient treatment at Langthorne, Whipps Cross or Chingford Hospitals you can ask ward staff to contact hospital based social workers for you.
Other information
Copies of this information can be made available in Braille, on CD or tape.
Useful contacts for blind and visually impaired people
Waltham Forest Blind Association, Community Place, 806 High Road Leyton E10 6AE 020 8556 0355
Waltham Forest Talking Newspaper. Free weekly local Waltham Forest Guardian newspaper on cassette tape 07811 245695
Calibre Audio Library. Free National Audio Library Service for people with a visual impairment http://www.calibre.org.uk/
RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999 RNIB Shop http://onlineshop.rnib.org.uk/
Deafblind UK is a national charity which provides a range of support services to deaf and blind adults and their carers.
Useful information about the Sensory Resource Team
- Download the Sensory Resource Team flyer for service users (481KB Word file)
- Download the Sensory Resource Team flyer for professionals (4MB Word file)
