Using qualified registered BSL/English Interpreters makes your
service accessible, assisting you to meet your requirements under
the Equality Act 2010, ensuring that Deaf and hearing people can
understand and communicate with each other.
A BSL/English Interpreter can be employed anywhere they are needed
to assist with communication between Deaf and hearing people. The
interpreter's job is to relay all information and culturally
mediate between the Deaf and hearing people involved.
Interpreters are impartial and are responsible for conveying what
is said accurately. Our interpreters are registered with NRCPD and
adhere to a strict code of conduct. Interpreters are completely
impartial and are not responsible for what is being said at the
meeting, only for conveying it accurately.
Who can use the service?
Anyone who is Deaf, or anyone who is hearing and needs to
communicate with a Deaf person using BSL.
Deaf Connexions is part of INTRAN (Norfolk's Interpretation and
Communication service). Interpreters can be booked to work within
the INTRAN settings and can also work in other settings not signed
up to INTRAN.
If you would like more information please contact
us and if you would like to book an interpreter please click
here.
If you would like a copy of our charges please click here.
If you lipread in order to understand what people are saying
then you may find a lipspeaker can aid your communication.
A lipspeaker can be employed anywhere that they are needed to
assist with communication between deaf and hearing people.
What is lipspeaking?
If you are Deaf and a lipreader it is very difficult to follow
everything that is being said.
A lipspeaker will sit close to you and convey the message
without using their voice.
Who can use the service?
Deaf Connexions is part of INTRAN, Norfolk's Interpretation and
Communication service and the service is normally free to Deaf
people using the service provided by the consortium Partners.
Lipspeakers may also be booked to work outside of these areas
but there may be a charge for these services.
How do you use a lipspeaker?
Lipspeakers are completely impartial and confidential. They are
not responsible for what is said at a meeting, only for
conveying it accurately.
A lipspeaker does not act on your behalf. You are the person in
control.
If you need to book an lipspeaker please contact
us.
Deaf Connexions is able to provide communication support in
the form of Communication Assistants where the use of a fully
qualified Sign Language Interpreter is not essential.
This could mean:
Supporting a Deaf person in the workplace to assist them with
everyday tasks such as facilitating communication on the
telephone.
Supporting in a social setting to reduce the isolation that a
person may be experiencing
Accompanying a Deaf person with additional needs to a day care
or community facility for a time to assist their integration.
Working with a Deaf parent who wishes to attend a parent and
toddler group.
The Communication Assistant may use a variety of communication
methods to facilitate communication. They may take notes, use
sign language or lipspeak, depending on their skills and the
needs of the person they are supporting.
They have an awareness and understanding of Deaf Culture and
the specific issues relating to people who are deaf.
The Communication Assistants employed by Deaf Connexions are
working towards a higher level of qualification in their
skills and are involved in continuing professional
development.
If you would like further details of this service please contact
us. We would be happy to discuss any aspect with you..
If you are deaf or hard of hearing and attend meetings,
seminars or lectures, you may find that using an electronic
notetaker can aid your communication.
An electronic notetaker can be employed at meeting,
conferences and lectures - wherever it is going to be
helpful to you.
What is electronic notetaking?
Even if you lipread there may be times when you need extra
communication support at meetings or lectures, whether it is
a one to one meeting or a large group of people.
An electronic notetaker will sit next to you and convert the
speech to text on a laptop computer. The type will be large
so that you can easily read it. It will show speaker's names
and what each person says.
If there is more than one Deaf person at the meeting the
text can be projected onto a screen so that they all can
read it.
If you would like to book an electronic notetaker please contact us.
Deafblind people have different degrees of sight loss and
deafness. They do not all communicate in the same way.
Some may use combined methods to communicate. It is
therefore advisable to ask the person before booking
communication support.
How Deafblind people communicate
Some Deafblind people have residual sight and hearing and
are able to use a combination of speech, hearing aids and
lipreading to communicate.
Deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL) and who
then lose most of their sight will probably prefer to
continue using BSL if they can see some signs.
If they are unable to see, they may use hands-on signing.
Some Deafblind people with little or no sight or hearing
use the "Block Alphabet" which involves tracing out the
alphabet in capital letters usually on the palms of their
hands
Deaf Connexions can assist you to provide Interpreters who
specialise in working with Deafblind people.
For more details please contact us.