Other support available

Deaf Independence Derby - DID

Deaf Independence Derby (DID) are a team of Deaf and hearing staff who support Deaf people with additional needs in their own homes. The team all communicate in BSL and have experience of working with people who use other sign languages.

DID offer support to Deaf people who need help to manage in their own homes and in the community. Most have additional or complex needs.

DID supports Deaf people to learn new skills such as:

• cooking different meals
• managing money
• managing medication
• dealing with letters
• finding new activities and learning how to get there.

Referrals to DID are made by the social work team after an assessment of a persons needs has been done and discussion with the Deaf person.

DID offer a Deaf Men’s Group and a Deaf Women’s Group for people referred by the Deaf services team.

Equipment service

The Deaf team offer an equipment service.

The main role of one of our Community Care workers is to meet Deaf individuals and assess their need for equipment that supports safer independent living. This includes specialist alarm clocks and baby alarms and equipment to alert Deaf people to the smoke alarm or doorbell.

Once the type of equipment required has been agreed, most is ordered through Medequip who will arrange to deliver and fit the equipment.

If the Deaf person needs equipment to alert them to the doorbell or smoke alarm and lives in a Derby Homes or Housing Association property, the team will make a recommendation for the equipment but it is then supplied and fitted by Derby Homes or the Housing Association.

We will make sure that the Deaf person knows who will supply and fit the equipment and who to contact if anything goes wrong.

My Care Directory

The My Care Directory can provide information on a range of services to support those living with disabilities including people with hearing loss.

The directory is made up of organisations (for example, businesses, service providers and third sector organisations) that offer services in Derby City. (Their inclusion in the My Care Directory does not constitute a recommendation, advice or endorsement by the Council).