Sensory Awareness FAQs

Sensory Awareness and your business – you could be missing out on a customer base the size of Leeds!

‘How can I be missing out on such a huge untapped customer base’!?

“You may be surprised to know that 800,000 people in Yorkshire suffer from a significant level of sight or hearing loss – sensory loss really is a silent and hidden condition.

The UK population is also ageing – the baby boomers are getting older. By 2025 more than a third of the UK’s population will be over 55. (Source: ONS) But they increasingly still want a good time, they have money to spend and you ignore them at your peril.

These people are your potential customers – you need to demonstrate that you are accessible”

‘How can we become more accessible to people with sight and hearing loss – isn’t it all very expensive?’

“There are a wide range of simple things (often not expensive) that you can do to make your business far more accessible to customers with hearing and visual impairment, as well as mobility issues.  (Only 1 in 13 of people with disabilities use a wheelchair **, so accessibility is not always about door widths, ramps and lifts).

Taking steps to be more accessible shows that you’re aware of the importance of being open to everyone – it’s far more than accommodating wheelchair uses.

An essential element is to ensure that staff become ‘sensory aware’ and are equipped with the key skills and knowledge required”.

‘Can you manage all of this for us’?

“At coHearentVision we can provide Sensory Assessments for your organisation and Sensory Awareness training for your staff. The training gives them the confidence, knowledge and skills to behave appropriately and communicate better. The company assessment looks at premises and practices, and highlights any issues.  These issues are often small and inexpensive to address.  But they are significant, enabling organisations to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in line with the Equality Act 2010 for people with access needs”.

What sort of companies are already receiving your Sensory Awareness training and assessments – how do we know if it’s really for us?

“We are currently working with socially responsible organisations who already know the value of excellent customer service.  Our corporate clients are as diverse as West Yorkshire Police, and Rudding Park Hotel, but they all want to improve and develop their standards and services to meet the requirements of those with access needs.

They have found the training to be motivational to their staff – the increased awareness helps in many ways, often helping staff to communicate better with hearing and sighted clients too.  The growing number of sensory impaired people in the future will provide a valuable and loyal supply of new customers”.

‘Once we’ve completed a company assessment and/or training, how will our potential customers know that we are more accessible to them’?

“We will provide you with a certificate of accreditation from our range of Bronze, Silver and Gold (dependant on the depth and breadth of training provided) which can be displayed on your marketing material and/or at Reception.

We hope you’ll agree that becoming a ‘sensory aware’ organisation also provides a compelling Marketing. Message, and can only endorse your reputation for delivering a customer service experience second to none”.

‘Can you ensure that the training will suit our company? We can’t afford to let staff take time much out these days’

“We will work with you to create a bespoke programme of training to enhance existing provision or to include in your induction programmes. Once sensory assessments (if appropriate) and training are complete we will provide you with a certificate of accreditation from our range of Bronze, Silver and Gold.

We work closely with companies to create tailored training solutions in line with current relevant legislation including the Equality Act 2010, Disability Discrimination Act 2010 Disability Equality Duty and Health and Safety at Work Act”.

‘I’m finding it had to understand exactly what the training will be like, so I can tell my staff how they will benefit – can you describe it to me’?

“We know it’s not always an easy concept to grasp. It’s hard to describe just how much people and organisations can gain from becoming Sensory Aware, it’s something you need to experience.

But our delegates are uplifted and inspired by the training and tell us that it’s:

• Fun and practical;
• Engaging and interactive;
• Memorable;
• Life changing.

This is just some of the feedback we have received during our current Yorkshire Sensory Awareness campaign”:

West Yorkshire Police (Community Engagement Officer) Bev Adams –

“Fantastic, enables me to go back with positive changes to be made”.

Northern Ballet (Head Receptionist) Aled Roberts –

“Just excellent, course gave me the tools to not only be aware but excited by possibility of communication with those with sensory impairment”.

Weston Group CEO, Mike Isherwood –

“Excellent, and good for business”.

‘What about your trainers, how well qualified are they’?

“Our training team have over 40 years experience between them of working in the field of sensory loss.  One of our most frequent feedback comments is just how much knowledge and passion they have.  It makes for a compelling training experience”!

Our Aim:

Our aim is to share our knowledge and experiences to enhance your business opportunities, but also to raise a greater understanding of what it’s like to have a sensory loss, leading to a more inclusive society.

We’d like you to find out for yourself so we are now offering special three hour sessions for Training Managers, Business Owners and other decision makers.

‘An introduction to Sensory Awareness Training’ runs from 9.30am – 12.30pm at Centenary House. The cost is £40 per delegate to cover administration costs.  Light refreshments will be served and there is on site parking available.

Contact Us:

If you want to know how you, your customers and your business can benefit please call or email either Michelle or Amanda to reserve your place on the next course:

Amanda Lowings-Kitchener, Business Development Manager:  Tel: 07775 444011

Michelle Astbury, Senior Trainer:  Tel: 07775 444005

Or by email at SAT@cohearentvision.org.uk

If you are unable to attend we will be happy to arrange a one to one meeting to discuss your organisation’s requirements in more detail.

This page was created on: September 14, 2011 and last modified on November 8th, 2011 at 11:32.