Developing Awareness and Communication with Deaf & Deafblind People (DAC1)

Course description:
To give candidates an introduction to, and a basic knowledge of, the whole range of D/deaf and deafblind people (i.e. deaf, deafened, deafblind, hard of hearing, Deaf BSL users, Deaf visually impaired, blind hearing impaired and people with congenital deafblindness). It assumes no previous experience or knowledge.

Candidates must achieve both units below for the full qualification.
Units may be taken separately and in any order.

Certificated:
This course is accredited by Signature (Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People - CACDP). This certificate consists of 2 units: - K101 & T101.

Entry requirements:
There are no formal entry requirements.

By the end of the course candidates should be able to:

K101 - Deaf and Deafblind Awareness
• Describe types of deafness and deafblindness
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Deaf and deafblind people’s preferred communication methods
• List acceptable terminology
• Meaning of discrimination
• How to avoid difficulties that affect deaf and deafblind people’s access to communication
• Describe the range, benefits and limitations of Technical Aids to Communication (TAC’s)
• Identify and using appropriate Language Service Professionals (LSPs)
• The national organisations working with deaf and deafblind people.

Assessment: Externally assessed multiple-choice paper

T101 - Communication Tactics with Deaf and Deafblind People
• Basic skills for communicating with deaf or deafblind people
• Understanding of how and when a range of tactics can be used to communicate with deaf and deafblind people.

Assessment: Internally assessed practical skills

Who’s it for and what’s it about?

This course is aimed front-line personnel who, in their everyday duties, may come into contact with people who may be *deaf or deafblind. The course provides an overview of the main communication issues that are faced by deaf people in everyday lives and focuses on communication and the social and environmental issues of deafness rather than the medical model.

The course is delivered by a mixture of tutor-led activities, group work and practical exercises.

The course is for anyone who wishes to become familiar with the issues faced by deaf people. Be able to identify when and where communication can breakdown and how to repair them by using appropriate communication tactics.