Dispensing opticians and optometrists in Leeds have been inspired to learn all about the Deaf community during a series of online sessions facilitated by Leeds Local Optical Committee (LOC).
The four-hour course was run over four weeks during September and October and centred on Deaf awareness and British Sign Language (BSL) for optical professionals. The course was provided by the Leicester-based charity, Action Deafness, and three out of four sessions were CET-approved.
“The aim of the initiative was to champion the best patient care by gaining an appreciation of how the world is perceived by a Deaf person,” said Leeds LOC secretary and dispensing optician Maryna Hura, who completed her Level 1 BSL training in 2019 and Level 2 in 2020.
“In addition to this, delegates learned how the services eyecare practitioners provide can accommodate the Deaf community’s needs within an optical environment. By learning BSL, opticians have been introduced to a whole new language, enhancing their communication skills.”
Commenting after the course finished, Hanisha Sandhu, BSL/Deaf awareness tutor, said: “I am so impressed with the dispensing opticians and optometrists in Leeds for their desire to develop their skills to make their services accessible and equitable for Deaf people.
“When the members of the Deaf community, including those who are hard of hearing, see optical professionals being Deaf aware, and trying to communicate in BSL, they will be delighted to see barriers to communication being lifted.”
Student dispensing optician, Mariya Qureshi, was one of those who attended. She told DO Online: “Learning the basics of BSL for opticians has given me the opportunity to build on a skill that, no doubt, will help in communicating with patients who are hard of hearing/deaf/Deaf.
“Not only do opticians need to be able to communicate effectively, but to ensure the whole patient journey is a success; the whole team, from the dispensing opticians to reception staff, should have a basic understanding of BSL.”
Action Deafness is hoping to work with LOCs to run the course in other areas.
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