Useful information

Free Online Lipreading Practice

This site, created by Gloria who has a hearing loss, presents lipreading using video clips as well as written exercises. It aims to enable those who have a hearing loss and who are unable to join a lipreading class the opportunity to develop lipreading skills.

For information: lipreadingpractice.co.uk

Access to Work

An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support if you have a disability, health or mental health condition to help you:

• start working
• stay in work
• move into self-employment or start a business

The grant is not for business start-up costs. How much you get depends on your circumstances. The money doesn’t have to be paid back and will not affect your other benefits.

For more information: www.gov.uk/access-to-work

Next Generation Text Service

If on telephone calls you can’t hear the other person’s voice or don’t catch all that they’re saying, or they can’t understand what you’re saying, the Next Generation Text (NGT) Service can help.

By using a smartphone, tablet, or computer and making a phone call you can type to our relay assistant who will speak your words to the person you’re calling, and the relay assistant will type their reply so you can read it on your display. Whether you use NGT at home, in your office, or on the move you can order takeaways, book taxis, use phone banking, order goods, or just chat by typing and/or reading your phone conversation.

For more information: ngts.org.uk

Inclusive Communication Essex (ICE)

Inclusive Communication Essex (ICE) is an Essex-wide training package that teaches the families and carers of adults with learning disabilities how to use a variety of different forms of communication. This helps those with learning disabilities to understand and be understood, and become fully involved in their life plans by taking their communication needs into account.

The aim for Essex is that:-

The importance of good communication is understood.

Each individual’s communication needs are known, understood, recorded, and acted upon by everyone they have contact with.

Communication training is available for staff, families, carers, friends and members of the community when needed.

Information is routinely produced in a range of more accessible formats.

Physical environments in public settings are understandable to those who use them.

Find out more here: www.essexice.co.uk