Provision for Counselling for D/deaf & hard of hearing clients at  NEW PATHWAYS

Deaf Organisations throughout Britain all agree current counselling services are very often unable to meet the specific communication needs of people who have any form of hearing loss. Deaf people need to be able to have counselling in their own language - BLS - but, deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people also have specific communication needs that should be put in place so that they can get appropriate counselling too.

There is a lot of evidence that poor communication between health professionals and people with hearing loss means many individuals get the wrong kind of support. We at New Pathways have a counsellor with BSL and other qualifications relating to communication with D/deaf people and wee want to do something to help support these individuals.

Under a sponsorship deal with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, we can offer counselling and training opportunities for D/deaf and hard of hearing clients living within the Borough. At the time of writing this article, Merthyr is the only Council offering us such support but we are hopeful that once the trial project has been completed (Dec, 2006) that other organisations will follow their example.