Deafness In Cumbria - Who is there to give me support?

Text Version |Monday, 06 October 2008

Deafness In Cumbria
Whoever you are, whatever your age, if you are affected in some way by deafness- yourself, a member of your family or a friend – then this is the site for you. Here you will find basic information on key issues for different age groups and links to many other sources of help available. Simply click on the route map.

Who is there to give me support?

Cumbria Deaf Association and local support groups can provide information and encouragement.

Cumbria Deaf Association is dedicated to the well being of Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and Deafblind people in the county. They can offer many different types of support:

Social Work team – help and advice for the family.

Technical Equipment Officer – advice, information and demonstration of different environmental equipment.

Balloon Project – social and information meetings and activities for families with a deaf child in the range 5 – 13 years.

Communication Skills For Families Project – communication support to teach BSL within the family.

www.cumbriadeaf.co.uk

Offices: Head office – 3, Compton Street, Carlisle CA1 1HT Tel: 01228 606434/Fax: 01228 606433.
Barrow Centre: 217 Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 1XT Tel: 01229 894646
Kendal Centre: 5 Castle Street, Kendal LA9 7AD. Tel: 01539 773131
Whitehaven Centre: 41 Monkwray Court, Kells, Whitehaven. Tel: 01946 852888

There are two parent self-help groups in Cumbria, one in the north – Carlisle and Eden Deaf Children’s Society - and one in the south – South Lakeland Deaf Children’s Society. They are part of a U.K. wide network linked with the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Contacts: Carlisle and Eden Deaf Children’s Society : Elaine Goodchild. Tel: 016973 741072
South Lakeland Deaf Children’s Society: Lisa Morgan. Tel: 01524 276568
www.ndcs.org.uk

For support and information regarding your child’s hearing loss and hearing aids you should be in contact with your local Audiology Department. They will help you with all queries from diagnosis onwards.

Early Support in Cumbria produce a local directory of organisations and contact details with services available to children with specials needs or disabilities and their families.
www.earlysupport.org.uk

In Cumbria the Specialist Advisory Teaching Service (hearing impaired) is a team of teachers who support deaf children within education. Most children attend their local mainstream school with extra support. Bransty School in Whitehaven has a special unit for deaf children.
www.cumbria.gov.uk/education
www.deafeducation.org.uk