Case Study: Leeds LOC Seek To Improve Communication and Accessibility for Their Deaf Community
4 May 2022
To coincide with Deaf Awareness Week LOCSU is publishing a case study that shines a light on efforts Leeds LOC made to help improve the way their local deaf community access eyecare.
1 in 5 adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss so with this in mind Leeds LOC teamed up with the deaf-led charity Action Deafness to set up a training programme “BSL for optical professionals”.
Virtual sessions were run in the evening over four weeks with three of the one-hour sessions CET approved. The tutor delivering the sessions was supported by a British Sign Language interpreter who also joined virtually.
Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians participating in the course found the sessions useful.
“Not only do optometrists and dispensing opticians need to be able to communicate effectively, but to ensure the whole patient journey is a success, the whole team from the dispensing opticians to reception staff should have a basic understanding.” A practitioner.