Communicator Guides
Communicator Guides work with people who have a sight and hearing loss. A Communicator Guide acts as a persons’ eyes and ears. A comparatively new service for people with a dual sensory impairment. Communicator Guides are at the forefront of promoting a deafblind person’s independence.
Lots of people have a dual sensory loss, but do not realise it. In fact, most people over the age of 70 will have some form of difficulty hearing and seeing. The difficulties that come with not being able to see and hear is wide reaching. It can lead a person to become depressed, isolated, withdrawn and increasingly dependent upon friends or family.
Communicator Guides maximise a person’s independence by providing them with information about their environment. Communicator Guides support the person to do what they want to do, but do not do things for the person. The service encourages the deafblind person to retain skills, confidence and self-determination.
Indigo Access have a small team of Communicator Guides. We use our skills to reduce hazards and risks when out in the community. We support individuals participate in activities in a safe manner because our Communicator Guides will verbally or physically guide them around the environment.
Our Communicator Guides use spoken English. However, we are able to use Deafblind Manual and British Sign Language. We can adapt our communication to meet the needs of the individual. Hands on Sign Language, Visual frame Signing, written large print? Not a problem to our flexible workers! We ensure our customers are always part of the conversation.
All of our Communicator Guides hold the Signature qualification Communicating and Guiding with deafblind people. Our trainees are committed to undertake this in the future. This is a QCF accredited course and a nationally recognised qualification.