If you have hearing loss or sight loss we will support you with advice and practical help.
Overview
Our sensory service helps adults in RCT who have sight loss or hearing loss.
We support you to live safely in your own home and promote your independence. We can also help you access certain benefits such as discounts or welfare benefits.
Sight loss
Who sight loss services are for
Sight loss services are for anyone over 18 in Rhondda Cynon Taf who struggles to see.
You do not need diagnosis to request support from us.
If you have early signs of sight loss or if you have a condition that means you are likely to lose your sight, contact us now and we will help you prepare before your sight gets worse.
Signs of sight loss include:
- bumping into things
- tripping over obstacles
- can no longer drive due to your sight
- (is there a certain prescription, TV or reading based symptom here that may help)
Conditions that may cause sight loss:
- Sight loss due to old age
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic neuropathy
How we can help with sight loss
We will speak with you about your personal goals and identify what help you need to remain independent.
You may need help with:
- Making your home safer
- Personal care for example shaving or applying make up.
- Cooking and eating
- Using technology
- Public transportation
- Managing medication
After we have agreed a plan to meet your needs, our 1 to 1 worker will work with you to meet them.
We could support you with:
- Advice on how to do essential tasks safely
- Setting up your devices to be accessible
- New tools and equipment around your home
- Adapting your current appliances
- Lighting or using colour to make things visible
- Training to use a long cane
- Connecting you with partner agencies
Hearing loss
Who the hearing loss service is for
Hearing loss services are for anyone over 18 in Rhondda Cynon Taf who struggles to hear.
You do not need diagnosis to request support from us.
If you have early signs of hearing loss or if you have a condition that means you are likely to lose your hearing, contact us now and we will help you prepare before your hearing gets worse.
Signs of hearing loss include:
- Struggling to hear the door bell
- Feeling left out of conversations
- Turning the TV up too loud
How we can help with hearing loss
We will speak with you about your personal goals and identify what help you need to remain independent.
You may need help with:
We could support you with:
Dual sensory loss (Deafblindness)
If you experience both hearing and sight loss then you may have dual sensory loss.
We will speak with you about your personal goals and identify what help you need to remain independent. More advice from Ian
Registration cards
If you have a professional diagnosis of sight impairment or hearing impairment, you can register with us.
The benefits of registration include:
- Discounted travel and TV licences
- Leisure concessions
- Tax allowances
- Welfare benefits such as PIP, AA and DLA.
- Blue badge access
To register as sight impaired:
- A consultant ophthalmologist will need to complete a certificate of vision impairment. This will be arranged through your GP or your opticians.
- They will forward the certificate and your contact information to us.
- After receiving the certificate, we will contact you ask you if you want to be registered.
To register as hearing impaired:
- An audiology report will need to be completed by a specialist. This will be arranged through Cwm Taff Health board.
- They will forward the report and your contact information to us.
- After receiving the report, we will contact you ask you if you want to be registered.
- We will attend your home to complete your registration if you need it.
After registering we will:
- post you a registration card
- Contact you to discuss if you have any needs that we can support you with.
Request a replacement registration card
- Send me an email to asking for a replacement card ** confirm this - general email address***
- Include your name and address
Request support from sensory services
Request support (button)
or
Call 00000 00000000
Our sensory services have a waiting list. While you wait for us to respond, you can check out our partners for other advice and support:
Information for professionals
If you are a professional working with someone who you think may benefit from our sensory service, refer them to us directly using the link or contact numbers above.
Read out factsheet to learn more about:
- How registration works
- How to write a good referral to our service
- Other agencies in RCT who can support your client
Download our Sensory services factsheet.