Sensory impairment

The Adult Sensory Needs Service is a specialist team that supports people who live in Camden. The service supports people who: 

• are certified or registered blind (severely sight impaired) or partially sighted (sight impaired)
• have a non-correctable sight loss in both eyes
• are Deaf or hard of hearing
• have both a significant hearing and sight loss

The service starts by looking at how your sensory loss affects your day-to-day life.  This step is called an assessment. If the assessment shows that you have a need that makes you eligible for help, we may be able to provide you with services.

Support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents

Crisis Text Service

Shout is a charity which connects people to free, confidential support via text message.

If you are experiencing a crisis and require immediate support, text DEAF to 85258. A trained crisis volunteer will respond to your message. 

Camden D/deaf Advice Service

A D/deaf Advice Service is running in the Greenwood Centre which is located at 37 Greenwood Place, Kentish Town, NW5 1LB. The service is for people who are:

• D/deaf, deafened, deafblind Camden residents aged 18+
• Hard of hearing Camden residents aged 18+ who in exceptional cases require specialist communication support, or
• family and carers supporting and/or acting on behalf of the above residents

The service is open Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9am to 5pm. More information about the Camden D/deaf Advice Service, in English and BSL, can be found here.

Further advice and support

Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD) are providing desk-based advice support on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 4pm.  The service is by remote access eg. via webcam, facetime, and text.  Where it is safe to do so and line line with current guidance, welfare visits can be made to older and vulnerable residents. 

If you’re feeling anxious, worried or want to talk to someone in BSL, RAD provide a Wellbeing Live Chat on Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, and  Saturday and Sunday, 2pm to 6pm. 

Visit the RAD website at www.royaldeaf.org.uk.

Transport optionsTaxicard scheme

To support Taxicard members during the pandemic, Taxicard drivers are able to pick up and deliver essential supplies for you.  Also, friends and family are permitted to travel on your behalf using your Taxicard for the same purpose.

Blue Badge

If you are registered blind, you qualify automatically for a Blue Badge. Having a Blue Badge enables you to park your car closer to shops and other places you wish to visit.

Accessing health services using BSL

People who would like to talk to a NHS advisor using British Sign Language (BSL) can do so by using SignVideo.

SignVideo is a free online service which connects you by video call to a BSL interpreter, who can help you discuss your symptoms with a NHS advisor, or ask them questions about appropriate services.

Further information about how to set up SignVideo and how to have a successful call can be found here.

The charity SignHealth connects people to support in BSL who would like to draw on social care support, or would like to access psychological therapy. SignHealth also have BSL videos on topics such as how to support someone experiencing domestic abuse, and advice on keeping safe and well.

Community equipment for Camden residents with sensory impairments

Adult Social Care in Camden provides equipment to sensory impaired, disabled adults and children to enable them to maintain their independence in the community.