Congratulations to Sarah and Jess for studying their Visual Frame Hands On module, assessments Signature Deaf VFHO301 completed. Well done!
Below is Sarah with her DBE certificate - both Sarah and Jess are now fully trained DBE's Interpreter Guides.
Anyone interested in joining DBE's National Register for Interpreter Guides competent in BSL Hands On, Visual Frame, Block, Deafblind Manual, please contact training@deafblind-enablement.co.uk or contact training on 01733 686969 for details.
New dates for 2025 will follow......
Thank you Heidi, DBE's Awareness Officer and Josh, DBE's Head of Training detailing the most important points to consider when using Visual Frame and Hands On communication.
I want to give you about BSL Interpreter Language most important points
We all need good lighting;
Plain clothing dark navy, red - it varies with deafblind people's vision;, no patterns;
Seating: always sit face to face, opposite each other;
Sit at the same level, not one person higher or lower than the other;
Interpreters do not sit behind a window because it makes your face dark from the light behind;
It's important to know if the person uses Visual frame, Hands On, Deafblind Manual, Block letters.
Did you know that many BSL signs cannot be seen when a deafblind person uses hands-on or visual frame. This is because many words use the same sign with different lip pattern, facial expressions or location.
Sign Language is not just about signing BSL vocabulary, it is how you communicate the whole message to convey the context, tone and meaning behind what is being said.
Using BSL Visual Frame or Hands On alongside Deafblind Manual, Spartan Block and BSL fibgerspelling is vital to clarify and reinforce key points of a message, at DBE we believe in a "total communication" philosophy
A deafblind person's emotional state and general wellbeing can impact on how much information they receive and retain.
Giving the appropriate environmental information through effective communication empowers Deafblind people and allows them to regain choice, control and independence that is often lost through dual sensory impairment
When working with Deafblind people, you need to be specifically trained to understand their individual needs and support them appropriately
It is easier to pity Deafblind people than to understand their needs and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Come and join us on our Deafblind courses to become a Specialist Interpreter Guide / Communicator-Guide or join our team.
Here at DBE we are interested in what you are interested in. We do what we can to accomodate and organise social events for our service users so they can do activities they enjoy.
Here is an example of our first Craft Club for 2025. Lots of Fun!
With over 28 deafblind people attending with their DBE Communicator-Guides, enjoying Pizza Hut, Black Country Museum, bowling, afternoon tea experience, with dinner bed and breakfast games and laughter - a thoroughly successful fun time spent together with our deafblind community, with new and old friends.
On our way home we met the most lovely man, Mark Gregson .
Here is a message from him and little video 🥰
Hi,
I would just like to say thank you to the team who I met on the train back from London to Peterborough tonight.
I was the chap (Mark) who sat with the staff and clients (sorry if that's the wrong term) who all made me laugh out loud! Plus I learnt a bit of BSL as well 🙂
You were all amazing.
Well done to our staff members. DBE are proud of you x Debbie James Neringa Neringa Clare Thorne Sharon Brett and Nicola Colegate
