Sensory Services for Business

Sensory Awareness Training

Our YorSensory services aim to promote independence and safety and make the day-to-day living of people with a visual impairment, hearing impairment or both a far better experience.  To achieve this we are keen to also offer a range of services to businesses.

Approximately 1 in 30 people in the UK have a visual impairment and approximately 1 in 6 have a hearing impairment, so if you have a business which provides a service to the general public it is extremely likely you will be in contact with people who have sensory impairments.  We can help your business to meet the needs of people with a sensory impairment by providing Sensory Awareness Training.

We run a schedule of courses from our head office throughout the year – please contact us to book a place.  Alternatively, sensory awareness training can be made bespoke to your organisation and delivered at a premises of your choice if you prefer, please contact us to discuss your individual requirements.

Want to get going and make some quick changes to improve your accessibility?  Then why not take a look at our quick guide ‘Advice on making your service accessible for individuals with Sensory Loss’.

Sensory awareness training for staff includes:

• an overview of the different causes and conditions of sensory impairment and dual sensory loss and the emotional impact this can have on an individual
• demonstrate best practice in communicating and supporting people with a sensory loss as a colleague, peer, friend or member of the public
• interactive training with practical sessions and the opportunity to use virtual reality goggles and glasses which simulate different eye conditions
• you will gain an understanding of the techniques people with a visual impairment use to mobilize and this will include learning how best to sight guide a person with a visual impairment
• an overview of the various types of equipment that can be used to support people with sensory impairments
• a certificate will be provided upon completion of the course.

Our Sensory Awareness training can be made bespoke to your organization.  Alternatively, we run courses throughout the year, at our offices or yours, and cover all three sensory impairments: sight, hearing and dual sensory.

Please contact us to learn about current courses and availability for bespoke training.

Businesses who have recently commissioned our sensory training services to include:

• John Lewis (Leeds)
• Vangarde Shopping Park
• Joseph Rowntree Trust
• Nimbuscare

Operations Manager (Vangarde Shopping Park) and sensory impairment trainee Carl Bailey said:

“The training gave me a real insight into how difficult it can be operating with very little or no sight.  I think this is an amazing initiative and it’s very gratifying to be able to offer our customers this important service.”

Environmental Assessment

Environmental audits establish how accessible a building or room within a building is to a range of potential users, including people with mobility and sensory impairments.  An audit can help to identify any reasonable adjustments necessary to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 (formerly the Disability Discrimination Act).

Why have an environmental audit?

• To consider existing management and organization of a building and its services, to achieve maximum accessibility.
• In order to recognize potential obstacles to access for people who are disabled, and to devise solutions which improve accessibility.
• Improving accessibility helps to increase custom and as a result, turnover.

The Wilberforce Trust can complete an environmental audit of your premises – please contact us for further details. 

Only around one in 10 people with poor functional vision is in paid employment.