Communication Service
The Communication Service is located on the ground floor of Centenary House.
Aims and objectives of the service
Aims
To offer a quality service to people with learning difficulties who have a communication impairment.
Objectives
- Assessment of the individual person’s communication needs.
- Development of the individual’s self-image and confidence.
- Development of the individual’s communication skills and needs, including a communication development plan/file.
- Provide an atmosphere that is conducive to the client’s individual needs and development.
- Liaison with adult training centres, hostels, parents/carers.
- Holistic approach to communication needs of the individual, their parents, carers and friends.
- Annual reviews on individual’s progress.
- Provide a peripatetic service to adult training centres, hostels, parents and carers.
- Provide staff training in communication skills and awareness.
Areas available
The main subjects and areas available are as follows: 
- British Sign Language
- Sign-supported English – written English
- Makaton
- Visual communication methods and aids
- Learning through formal, informal, video and experiential methods
- Art, cookery, social interaction and skills, and one-on-one working
Training in basic communication skills is available to staff who work with people with learning difficulties.
- Paid work experience and work project work is available to those who are interested.
- Laying the tables as part of work experience
- On a work project
Deaf and blind people
Volunteers from the deaf community play an essential role at the communication unit. Deafblind and blind/partially sighted people do attend the communication unit. At present this is confined to one group per week. Orientation and independence are the main topics covered.
This page was created on: November 16, 2009 and last modified on August 26th, 2010 at 12:16.
