The council’s Sensory Team wants to spread awareness of how losing sight, hearing or both senses can have a huge impact on daily lives, but also what’s available to support people to still live full lives.

Councillor Linda Leach, Cabinet member for Adult Social Services said:

‘We can all take our sight and hearing for granted and it can be devastating for people when they start to lose one or both key senses.

‘We want to ensure we support residents to continue to live independent, safe lives, so this week is aimed at showing what is on offer to help people achieve that end goal.

‘We want to create a more accessible and inclusive Wolverhampton for people with visual loss, hearing loss and deafblindness.

‘So please pop into one of the events to learn more about this work and the specialist equipment and support available.’

The week starts today (Monday, 7 September) and runs until Friday with the following events on offer, whether you’re affected yourself or a family member or friend:

Tuesday 8 September

Civic Centre Awareness Event - Wolverhampton Civic Centre

• Come and meet the friendly team
• Learn about visual loss, hearing loss and deafblind support
• Demonstrations of specialist equipment and aids
• Information on local services and community support

Wednesday 9th September

Beacon Centre Community Event - Beacon Centre for the Blind

• Information stand and awareness activities
• Learn about rehabilitation and support available to people with sight loss
• Meet professionals and partner organisations with opportunities to ask questions and access advice

Thursday 10 September

Civic Centre Awareness Event - Wolverhampton Civic Centre

• Further opportunities to meet the Sensory Team
• Interactive sensory awareness activities
• Information on maintaining independence with sensory loss
• Signposting to local services and support groups

And if you can’t manage to attend one of the events, then the team is here to help just get in touch - 01902 551199 or email AIA@Wolverhampton.gov.uk