Multi-Sensory Impairment
The Visual Impairment Service and the Hearing Impairment Service work together to provide advice, information and training for parents/carers and teachers of babies, children and young people with a dual sensory impairment.
The Service consists of Qualified Teachers of Visually Impaired (QTVI), Qualified Teachers of the Deaf (QTOD), Multi-Sensory Impaired (MSI) Intervenor (Early Years), Habilitation Specialist (mobility and independence), Special ICT, Specialist Resources Co-ordinator, Educational Audiologist.
What is Multi-Sensory Impairment (MSI)- Deafblind?
Definition of deafblind:
Department of Health: Deafblind Children and Adults Policy Guidance:
‘The term dual sensory loss can be used interchangeably with deafblindness denoting the fact that combined losses of sight and hearing are significant for the individual even where they are not profoundly deaf and totally blind. It is the way in which one sensory impairment interacts or compounds the second impairment, which causes the difficulties, even if, taken separately, each single sensory impairment seems relatively mild.’
What Do We Do?
- Work in partnership with families offering support and information regarding multi-sensory impairment.
- Support Deafblind babies, children and young people in homes and special school provisions.
- Assessment, advice and training (e.g. on-body signing, objects of reference) in relation to the child/young person’s multi-sensory impairment.
- Specialist MSI assessment can be requested by parents/carers or provision from outside agencies such as SENSE. A trained Intervenor to support pre-school aged deafblind children in their homes, following assessment.
- School aged deafblind children can receive Intervenor support from trained staff within their own special school provision.
- Advice and training for specialist equipment such as video magnifier and specialist speech and magnification software, FM radio-aid or Soundfield system.
- A request for specialist ICT assessment or a joint assessment with an external assistive technology provider can be made.
- Mobility and independence skills assessment, deaf awareness and the implications of hearing loss.
- Advice and information to settings about risk assessment and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans.
- Attend and contribute to statutory assessment and annual reviews.
Who Do We See?
Babies, children and students 0-25 years (post 16, if in further education) with a diagnosed or suspected multi-sensory impairment, their families and carers who live in the Dudley Borough or attend Dudley Schools.
Where Do We See Your Child?
Support is offered at home, nursery or early years settings, play group, school or college.
Level of support is allocated according to the National Sensory Inclusion Partnership (NatSIP) visiting criteria.
How Can I Make a Referral?
We have an open referral system. Referrals can be made by parents/carers, school staff, nursery/early years settings and medical professionals.
What Happens Next?
On receipt of a signed referral form you will be contacted within one week.
Organisations that can offer support
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.
Further Information
For further information please contact:
Visual Impairment Service: Judy Lewis judy.lewis@dudley.gov.uk
Hearing Impairment Service: Dawn Bevington dawn.l.bevington@dudley.gov.uk
Telephone number: 01384 818003