Interview Spotlight- Sign Sight and Sound
Every month we spotlight brilliant Community Organisations that are doing amazing things for Wales. This month we have interviewed Sign Sight and Sound who are aim to improve the quality of life and equality of access for deaf people and people with a sensory loss. They address how organisations can be more inclusive and how the pandemic has been a challenge to adapt services for sensory loss.
Tell us about Sign Sight and Sound?
The Centre of Sign Sight Sound (COS) are an organisation that improve the opportunity, quality of life and equality of access for people with a sensory loss. COS hold many projects one of which is JobSense.
JobSense is ultimately an employment project, working with people with sensory loss to move closer to the employment market, if they wish to. However, many of our participants have different priorities, such as reducing their isolation, building confidence and supporting in training or up skilling .
Tell us how you support people with sensory loss to achieve their full potential?
JobSense is a bespoke service, working with clients to identify where they feel they need our support. This could be anything from accompanying them to social groups until they feel able to attend alone, to looking for the right role they would like to get involved with, whether that is volunteering or employment.
Do you offer support for the parents/ families of those with sensory loss?
Our service is based on the premise that we empower our client. We will work with them to identify and access any other services they feel may benefit and support their family.
What can community organisations do to make sure they are being inclusive of people with sensory loss?
Firstly, community organisations need to realise that sensory loss can impact on any community, family or individual. It does not discriminate. Organisations should consider how people are accessing their services and whether their services are accessible for people with sensory loss, if not, are there provisions that can be made to make it accessible? Many organisations often don’t realise the barriers that sensory loss can bring. Organisations also need to understand that sensory loss is not just about being deaf or blind, there are different degrees, ranging from having tinnitus to being profoundly deaf or having low vision in one eye to having no vision at all.
What have been the main difficulties for people with sensory loss during and after the pandemic?
Initially it was making sure people with sensory loss knew and understood what was happening, for example: some of our clients didn’t realise the severity of the pandemic. We supported and arranged to make sure our clients were getting essential items such as food, medication and information safely. Throughout the pandemic we have offered IT upskilling and training, well-being awareness and self-help sessions, which have been an absolute success and well received. COS also received some funding to be able to create accessible videos regarding Covid-19 updates and provide our Covid-19 Information, Advice and Assistance Service which helped to combat these difficulties.
What does the rest of 2021 have install for Sign Sight Sound?
We understand that 2020 was a terrible year for many and some people will take a long time to come to terms with the impact that Coronavirus has had on their lives. However the experience has strengthened our team, which in turn is positively impacting on our clients. 2021 will be filled with hard work and challenges, but we have every faith that we and our clients are able to meet them head on.
How can people find and engage with you?