Community Training
Bridge – Sensory Loss Communication Training, offered by DeafBlind Ontario Services, provides customized training opportunities for organizations that support individuals with a sensory loss and/or communication challenges.
In person or virtual training is interactive and involves activities simulating sensory loss. The Community Services team can also provide ongoing mentorship and coaching to ensure skills learned are part of daily practice.
Please click here to view the Video Transcript
Bridge can enhance the services of:
- Developmental Services Agencies
- Long Term Care Facilities
- In Home Support Services
- Other Community Organizations
Our expertise in working with individuals that require alternative approaches to communication led to the development of interactive workshops/customized training available by request. Improved person-centered support, reduced frustration and service efficiency can all be addressed through our community training programs.
Workshops include:
Adapting Environments for Sensory Loss
Increase awareness of accessibility needs and barriers in the home and community. We will highlight the unique challenges people with sensory loss face and how they navigate their environment. We will explore ideas on adapting environments to meet these unique needs including DIY tips and solutions.
Communication101: Bridging the Gap
Communication, in whatever capacity, is an integral part of our everyday life and a basic human right. This workshop will help you recognize the importance of both receiving and expressing communication and providing opportunities for this to happen. We identify various communication methods and brainstorm more tools to provide effective communication. This information can enhance your services when supporting people with sensory loss and/ or diverse needs.
Experience Tools
Experience Tools are used to initiate conversation, enhance concepts, promote expressive and receptive language, encourage anticipation, reinforce choices or reflect on memories. This workshop provides a hands-on opportunity to develop experience tools.
Introduction to Sensory Loss
‘Sensory loss’ is a term used to describe loss of the distance senses, specifically, sight and hearing. Build upon your understanding and raise awareness of factors that impact a person with sensory loss. Learn about the eye and ear and causes of sensory loss. Enhance your work practices to support and empower people living with sensory loss.
Sensory Loss and Aging
Change is an inevitable part of the aging process. In this workshop, we will delve into the aging process by exploring the senses and recognizing the impact of aging for a person who has sensory loss. “Aging in place” is a term used to describe a person living in the home of their choice, for as long as they are able, as they age. We will share some tools to assist in evaluation and resources that teams can build upon specific to the person.
Personality Dimensions
This interactive workshop of self-discovery will help you to develop a better understanding and appreciation for yourself and others. Build stronger teams and optimize performance.
Sensory Integration
Introduction to the 8 senses, the aspects of sensory integration, Sensory Integration Disorder and how sensory integration impacts someone with sensory loss. We will identify the importance of looking at activities and routines from a sensory perspective. We will also implement these theories into practice through interactive, sensory-focused activities.
The Enriched Communication Approach Journey
This workshop is delivered through a dynamic speed seeking format. Speed seeking is the process of moving through timed short information sessions. Along your journey you will fill out your passport as you learn about six separate communication themed topics. This unique training will introduce you to tools and considerations to support empowerment, expression, reflection, and connection through communication pathways.
Mentorship Program
We know the transition from learning something in a workshop to figuring out how to implement it in real life can be challenging. Our mentoring can help with that. Through the mentoring process, we focus on the person receiving Intervenor Services funding — who they are, how they communicate and how to best address their vision and hearing losses. We continue to build on knowledge and experiences gained from training with DeafBlind Ontario Services, exploring how this applies to the person supported, brainstorm and implement communication tools, develop and implement strategy plans, as well as provide access to resources. Where applicable, the mentoring program can include customized training sessions focusing on the needs of the person supported and the team.
Customized Training
In addition to the above workshops, DeafBlind Ontario Services can customize training to your needs, and/or develop training to meet the needs of your team and the person supported.
Click the link below for upcoming training workshops.
For more information about Bridge, or to be added to our email list, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at (905) 853-2862
Testimonials:
“I have truly loved this course. Love that it motivates me to see things in a different light. Love that it has taught me better communication skills. It has been more than amazing and I cannot thank you enough.”
Charmaine Vautour, Shift Supervisor
“The training was very interactive. It gave me a different perspective on working with someone who is deafblind. As I work with individuals with developmental disabilities I am now much more aware of sensory loss and can use what I learned at the training to benefit my other clients.”
Gema Rondin, Residential Manager
“The most engaging training I have ever attended. Wonderful presentation with knowledgeable and experienced instructors.“
“I have really learned to SLOW DOWN, give time for our folks to feel and smell their way through life. Allow them to have the same opportunities that we might take for granted.”
Wendy Hewgill, Direct Service Worker
“I feel more confident in serving the clients we have and meeting the needs they have.”
