4 posts tagged with "Inspiring Stories"

It's Sign Language Week!​

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.

Heidi says:​

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.
• Thank you for watching. HAPPY SIGN LANGUAGE WEEK!

Josh states:​

• 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.

For information email training@deafblind-enablement.co.uk

Contact us to discuss how you can make a difference; 01733 686969 www.deafblind-enablement.co.uk

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!

This is Thomas (10 years old) one of our young learners.

Thomas' mum started working at DBE September last year. When his mum was in her Signature Deafblind communication guide course level 2 Thomas took a keen interest in learning how to communicate with deafblind people too. Thomas and our service users love that he and our deafblind adults can communicate so well. Thomas enjoys acting, reading and joining us at our monthly bowling trips. For Deafblind awareness week, Thomas has put together a short video to show you that anyone no matter who and what age can learn to communicate with deafblind people.

DBE are very proud of you Thomas