Sensory impairment

Our specialist services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or visually impaired.

Contact us via a video service with a BSL interpreter

If you are using a computer or laptop

  1. Connect now to InterpretersLive!
  2. Click 'Call now' and connect to an interpreter. Tell them you are calling Oxfordshire County Council.
  3. The interpreter may ask if you wish to connect to a person or department.
  4. You will then be connected to an adviser in British Sign Language (BSL).

If you are using a smartphone or tablet

  1. Download InterpretersLive! app
  2. Click on the phone icon and select video call.
  3. Click 'Call now' and connect to an interpreter. Tell them you are calling Oxfordshire County Council.
  4. The interpreter may ask if you wish to connect to a person or department.
  5. You will then be connected to an adviser in British Sign Language (BSL).

Hearing Impairment Team

We are a countywide team of specially trained staff. Our team includes specialist social workers, support workers, rehabilitation officer for the hearing impaired and an equipment support officer.

The team offer advice and support on any type of hearing impairment and the wider issues relating to this. Staff make appointments to see you either in the office or in your own home. Contact us.

What we do

We can advise and support people of all ages with hearing problems, including:

  • equipment assessment to improve access to TV/door bell/telephone etc
  • advice on deaf issues, for example, equal access to services
  • deaf children and their families, for example, support regarding available options and equipment
  • deaf parents, for example, access to support services, equipment
  • information on all aspects of hearing loss including Deaf/deafened/Hard of Hearing/Dual Sensory Loss/mental health needs relating to hearing loss.

Visual Impairment Team

We are a countywide team of specially trained staff. Our team includes specialist rehabilitation workers and support workers.

The team offers support and advice on any type of visual loss and the wider issues relating to this. The team provide rehabilitation and habilitation support. Staff make appointments to see you in the office or in your own home.

We can be contacted:

  • direct by you, friends or family
  • through your GP, eye specialist
  • by your care manager
  • anyone who knows your circumstances.

You do not need to be registered blind or partially sighted to contact us.

What we do

We are trained to:

  • assess
  • advise
  • support
  • teach
  • inform.

We can also put you in touch with MyVision Oxfordshire and with other associations who help in various ways.

Vision awareness training

You can view a three-part training package investigating the issues surrounding sight loss and vision impairment on YouTube.

More information and advice

There are a range of resources available to help you take control of your own care. To find other local services near to you visit our Live Well Oxfordshire directory.