Unfitness to Plead Consultation Responses - Law Commission ...

The deafblind population has been significantly underestimated and is set to rise
dramatically. A recent study commissioned by Sense 1 has estimated that there
are approximately 356,000 deafblind people living in the UK. This number is
projected to rise to 569,000 by 2030.
What sort of support do deafblind people need?
Communicator guide support is a lifeline to many people with acquired
deafblindness, helping them to remain independent. A communicator guide is a
person who provides communication support, and can guide a person thereby
enabling a deafblind person to get out and about. A communicator guide would
also help a deafblind person to access information in their own home.
People with acquired deafblindness frequently require the additional support of
an interpreter in more formal settings such as formal meetings or during court
proceedings. The type of interpreter support required would depend on the
individual needs of the deafblind person, but may include:- BSL (British Sign
Language), hands on BSL, deafblind manual, note taking (the notes may then be
read in Braille using a text to Braille machine) and palantypists (this list is not
exhaustive).
Congenitally deafblind people commonly require the support of an intervenor. An
intervenor is a one-to-one support worker who helps a deafblind person make
sense of and interact with the world around them. Intervenors usually work with
children or adults who were born with severe visual and hearing impairments and
who may also have additional disabilities. Intervenors help people to
communicate and receive information. Their role is to enable the individual to
benefit from learning and social experiences and to help them have greater
access to the local environment. Intervenors work with children in schools, as
well as providing support for both children and adults in the home and community
environments.
Deafblind people as a group frequently have the highest level of care and or
support needs. The Department of Health has recognized that, “the needs of
deafblind people are often not identified nor are those in need of community care
always in receipt of appropriate services.” 2 This conclusion led the Government
to reissue the Deafblind Guidance, “Social care for deafblind children and adults”
in June of 2009. 3 This guidance was issued under Section 7 of the Local
Authority Social Services Act 1970 and is relevant to all local social services
staff.
1 A Sense of Urgency The Professor Emerson - Centre for Disability Research (CeDR) 2010
2 Page 3 Local authority circular, Department of Health , 23 June 2009 Gateway reference: 11835
LAC(DH)(2009)6
3 ibid
5