Useful National Contacts for Professionals & Students working with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind People who live in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
NATIONAL SERVICES:
Action on Hearing Loss (AOHL) – previously known as RNID
AOHL is a national Deaf Charity offering a wide range of services, advice and support relating to deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus. AOHL are involved in a number of campaigns to support those who are deaf and hard of hearing. Drop in sessions are available in Staffordshire by the Hear to Help Services in the Midlands. Contact the Information Line for details.
Contacts:
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
Minicom: 0808 808 9000
Text (SMS): 07800 000360
Email: informationline@hearingloss.org.uk
Website: www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
Staffordshire Community Support Officer: 07960 407595
Email: heartohelp.staffordshrie@hearingloss.org.uk
British Deaf Association (BDA)
BDA is a national Deaf Charity promoting the status and recognition of the Deaf Community and British Sign Language (BSL). They are active in promoting the recognition of BSL as a language in its own right and work with organisations in signing up to the BSL Charter.
Contacts:
Telephone: 020 7697 4140
Text (SMS) / Facetime: 07795 410724
Email: bda@bda.org.uk
Website: www.bda.org.uk
National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS)
NDCS is the National Society for Deaf Children and their parents. They offer support to parents who have newly diagnosed deaf child or if a child needs support as he / she reaches young adulthood. They also provide support to professionals working with deaf children and young people.
Contacts:
Tel: 020 7490 8656
Minicom: 020 7490 8656
Email: ndcs@ndcs.org.uk
Website: www.ndcs.org.uk
Deafblind UK
Deafblind UK is a membership organisation that champions the rights and interests of all people who are deafblind or have a combined sight and hearing loss and deliver quality services to give these individuals autonomy and control over their lives. Through their work they support equality, independence and choice. Deafblindness focuses on three key areas that are vital to ensure that those who are deafblind are able to access Communication, Information and Mobility.
Contacts:
Tel/Minicom: 01733 358 100
Email: info@deafblind.org.uk
Website: www.deafblind.org.uk
Sense
Sense is a national Charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind or have sensory impairments. Their purpose is to support and promote the interests of people who are deafblind, multi-sensory-impaired or have a single sensory impairment with additional needs. Deafblindness focuses on three key areas that are vital to ensure that those who are deafblind are able to access Communication, Information and Mobility.
Contacts:
Tel: 0300 330 9256 or 020 7520 0972
Minicom: 0300 330 9252
Email: info@sense.org.uk
Website: www.sense.org.uk
SignHealth – The Deaf Health Charity
SignHealth works across the country trying to get Deaf people the same access to healthcare that hearing people have. They campaign to improve healthcare for Deaf people. They produced the Sick Of It report which has shown that Deaf people tend to have the worse health than people who can hear. This is because getting access to help and information is hard when you use sign language as your main means of communication. They have a range of services such as BSL Healthy Minds, Deaf Hope, Advocacy, Outreach and InterpreterNow.
Contacts:
Tel: 01494 687600
Minicom: 01494 687626
Email: communications@signhealth.org.uk
Website: www.signhealth.org.uk
