Sensory impairment

Sensory impairment or sensory loss is when you have a problem with one of your senses, such as sight or hearing.  For example, if you have a sight impairment you may wear glasses or if you have a hearing impairment you might wear a hearing aid.  You don't need to have full loss of a sense to be considered as being sensory impaired.

For some people, they may also have dual sensory impairment, which is a combination of both hearing and sight loss, whilst those on the autism spectrum often have difficulty processing everyday sensory information.  The largest cause of sensory impairment is considered to be the ageing process.

Local support

Action Deafness support deaf and hard of hearing people in Herefordshire with a range of services, including an equipment referral service.

Herefordshire Vision Links provide products and services for people with visual impairments across the county, alongside arranging events and activities.  They also offer information and support for carers.

Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), based in Hereford, is one of the UK's leading further education colleges for those aged 16 and over with a visual impairment.

National support

Guide Dogs support those who are visually impaired through a range of different services, such as assistive technology, custom eye books, guide dogs and a sighted guiding service.

The NHS offer a lot of information and advice around blindness and vision loss, hearing loss and deafblindess.

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) offer help and support for blind and partially sighted people, including practical and emotional support, reading services and accessibility products.

Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) provide practical support, advice and information to help those with hearing impairments, including deafness and tinnitus, to lead fully inclusive lives.

Sense help those living with complex disabilities or deafblindness to communicate and experience the world.

SignHealth help deaf people improve their health and wellbeing, including support for those experiencing domestic abuse, therapy, advocacy and residential services.

VICTA help improve the lives of children and young people who are blind or partially sighted.