Deaf Access Services

BSL Classes		Advocacy		Lipreading Classes
Social Worker		Hearing Aid Services		Tinnitus Counselling
Equipment		Deaf Awareness		Information Drop-In
		BSL Classes Times and dates upcoming. Deaf Access offers BSL classes for level 1 and level 2. Intensive courses are available, as are more sedate, weekly classes. More information will follow soon concerning times, dates and rates. Please contact us with any queries. Information about the practice sessions is available on our groups page. [back to top]
		Advocacy Monday to Friday (contact for an appointment). Advocacy is helping people to 'speak for themselves' or have a voice. We all need an advocate at some point in our lives but for different reasons. There are times when we lack confidence or do not feel able to speak for ourselves. At times like this an advocate's support may just be enough to help sort things out. The advocates help with letter reading/writing and filling in forms, as well as offering DLA and general support for Deaf and hard of hearing people. Other services include Housing Advice, Welfare Benefits Advice, Debt Management Advice and BSL translation of documents such as utility bills. Work full-time? Evening advocacy service is available. Appointments can be made for 17:00, 18:00, or 19:00 on the first Thursday of each month. These appointments must last no longer than an hour. Our advocate, Jonny Nelson (advocate@deaf-access.co.uk) can be contacted by SMS on 07751 244 853. [back to top]
		Lipreading Classes Thursdays, 14:00-16:00 Deaf Access is excited to offer a Lipreading course. It is suitable for those who are just coming to terms with their hearing loss, as well as those who have been hard of hearing for some time. See flyer for full details. [back to top]
		Social Worker Mondays, 13:00-16:00 (no appointment necessary). This is a drop in service for adult BSL users (or families with deaf children) who live in Bromley, who would like to see a Social Worker at Deaf Access. Our Social Worker is Desmond Hodgson, who is covered for on alternate weeks by Technical Officer George Bailey. [back to top]
		Hearing Aid Services 2nd Monday of every month, 10:30-12:30 (retubing and aftercare). Hearing aid wearers can now come to Deaf Access for NHS hearing aid aftercare. Batteries are available throughout the day (10:00-16:00, Monday to Friday). See flyer for further details. [back to top]
		Tinnitus Counselling Mondays and Fridays (by appointment only). Tinnitus is the sensation of a sound not audible to others, often described as a continual ringing, buzzing, whistling or pulsing in the head or ear(s). It is usually due to a very minor disorder of the hearing system sometimes associated with ageing and/or noise exposure. Slight changes in the system may be sensed as tinnitus. Sometimes very distressing, it should not be trivialised or dramatised. It is not life threatening and the quality of your life can be recovered. Most people who are upset by their tinnitus learn to manage it through self help. However it may take time, so please don't feel disheartened. Don't be put off by gloomy stories. A visit to the doctor will reassure you that there are no underlying medical conditions you may be worrying about. This service is available to help anyone with tinnitus. Information about the tinnitus and hard of hearing group can be found on our groups page. [back to top]
		Equipment Tuesdays and Thursdays (by appointment only). The equipment service seeks to demonstrate a variety of environmental aids (equipment to help you hear in your home) suitable to every need. These include room loops, amplified telephones, personalised door bells, and paging systems. Home visits can be arranged for the housebound by contacting our technical officer, Maria Carpenter. [back to top]
		Deaf Awareness Please contact us for details. Deaf Access has a team of Deaf Awareness trainers, to help improve customer services. The training aims to promote public awareness and understanding of deafness. Courses can be tailored to a business or organisation's specific needs, to help companies comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Information packs can be provided. Contact Penny Wallace by e-mail: admin@deaf-access.co.uk or telephone 020 8315 2552 for details, or to discuss your training needs. [back to top]
		Information Drop-In Monday to Friday, 10:00-16:00 Deaf Access has a wide variety of deaf-related information available on many different topics. Please feel free to drop in at any time. [back to top]