Adult care services provided by Newcastle City Council

If you are having problems with your sight or hearing (sensory loss) you can:

• speak to your doctor or GP
• make an appointment with an optician to get your eyes checked. Some opticians can also test your hearing
• book a hearing test at a high street store

They may refer you to a specialist at hospital. This is ophthalmology for vision and audiology for hearing.  

Registering your vision impairment as a disability

When you are assessed by an ophthalmologist at hospital as being visually impaired you will receive a Certificate of Vision Impairment. A copy of this certificate will be sent to you, Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council, the Department of Health and your GP.

Adult Social Care's Sensory Service will contact you when they receive your Certificate of Vision Impairment. They will arrange to visit you and assess your sensory needs.  They can help you to register as blind or partially sighted with Newcastle City Council. This helps you access some benefits and concessionary travel.

You will be registered on one of the 3 registers depending on your sensory needs. The registers: 

• severely sight impaired (blind)
• sight impaired (partially sighted)
• dual sensory loss (hearing and vision loss)

Vision rehabilitation

Vision rehabilitation supports you to be as independent as possible with advice and practical support. This service is free. It is available to you for as long as you need it. You don’t have to be registered as blind to receive this support. This is part of Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council. 

Vision rehabilitation can give you more information and support with:

• understanding your eye condition and the adjustments that you may need to make to live your life
• benefits you are eligible for such as the blue badge and concessionary travel
• learning new ways of completing tasks
• getting out and about, travelling confidently and safely and making the most of your community
• looking at your communication needs and how you keep in touch with others, such as reading, writing, telling the time, using smartphones, tablets and speech software
• social activities that match your interests, for example, community groups, local sight loss charities such as Newcastle Vision Support
• talking books and newspapers
• counselling, telephone support, peer support, courses or groups
• support to prepare for work

 Read more on InformationNOW about sight loss or visual impairment

Support if you are deaf, deaf blind, hard of hearing or deafened

When a healthcare professional has confirmed your hearing loss, you may be able to claim some disability benefits. Adult Social Care Sensory Support can arrange to meet you at your home to find out more about your needs. They will give you information and advice to help you to manage better at home. 

Disability Rights

The Equality Act (2010) protects your rights to employment, education, and access to goods, services and facilities. 

Read more on InformationNOW about your rights and how to apply for an access to work grant. 

Useful information

There's a range of information that may be helpful to you. Read more about:

• home care agencies that can help with personal care, meals and bathing if you need it
• equipment and aids such as, personal loops to help you hear the TV, amplified telephones, portable doorbells, liquid level indicators, or talking clocks
• minor adaptations to your home or property, for example, to improve lighting
• day care services
• carer support
• advocacy services if you need help to take part in appointments
• RNIB React system to help you get out and about
• British Sign Language and lip reading
• Support Groups 
• social activities
• advocacy services if you need help to take part in appointments and meetings
• driving as you get older or your needs change
• North East Mobility help people with a medical condition or disability that may affect your ability to use a vehicle (as a driver or passenger).

Ongoing care and support

Speak to Adult Social Care Point for more information. We can talk to you to find out how you are managing at home. We can have a conversation with you to understand your situation. To find out what’s working well and where we can help. We can put you in touch with local services. If you need one, we can arrange a Needs Assessment, to find out if we can help you further. Your needs might change so you may need a review of your needs from time to time.