Reading List

A curated Reading List to support and extend learning from Deaf Awareness for Residential Care Staff.

These official and primary sources underpin deaf-aware care across the UK. They include England's Accessible Information Standard materials, NHS and NICE guidance on hearing, safeguarding guidance, and BSL law and policy, with signposting to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where frameworks differ.

Core communication, hearing, and safeguarding sources

• CQC: Meeting the Accessible Information Standard - https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/meeting-accessible-information-standard
  A practical care-facing summary of how services should identify, record, flag, share, meet and review communication needs. Useful for translating accessibility duties into day-to-day practice in care homes.
• NHS England: Accessible Information Standard - requirements - https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/accessible-information-standard-requirements-dapb1605/
  The current standard for NHS and adult social care in England. It sets out the duty to identify, record, flag, share, meet and review communication and information needs linked to disability, impairment or sensory loss.
• NHS England: Accessible Information Standard - implementation guidance - https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/accessible-information-standard-implementation-guidance/
  Practical detail on applying the Standard, including support for people who are d/Deaf or have hearing loss, a warning that written notes are not always suitable, and examples of communication professionals and visual support needs.
• NHS: Hearing aids and implants - https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/hearing-aids-and-implants/
  An overview of hearing-aid types, NHS provision, batteries, repairs and replacements, and the difference between hearing aids and implanted devices. Useful background for staff supporting residents with different devices.
• NICE NG98: Hearing loss in adults - assessment and management - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng98
  A clinical reference for referral thresholds, urgent red flags, person-centred communication and adult hearing-loss management. Use it to recognise when routine care should trigger clinical escalation.
• University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust: Hearing aid guidance for care home staff and residents - https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/download/clientfiles/files/Patient%20Information%20Leaflets/Clinical%20Diagnostic%20Services/Audiology/Hearing%20aid%20guidance%20for%20care%20home%20staff%20and%20residents%20.pdf
  Written for care homes. Covers communication tips, battery changes, fitting, cleaning, troubleshooting and when sudden hearing changes need urgent medical attention.
• The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust: Using your hearing aid - https://www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information/using-hearing-aid
  Practical points on paired hearing aids, insertion, common troubleshooting and assistive listening devices. Helpful for understanding everyday problems.
• The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust: How to care for my Oticon hearing aid (open fit) - https://www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information/oticon-care
  A straightforward guide to cleaning and replacing open-fit tubing, useful for teams supporting residents with thin-tube or dome-style aids.
• NICE NG189: Safeguarding adults in care homes - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng189
  Highlights that denying access to communication or independence aids, such as hearing aids, may be an indicator of neglect when it contradicts the person's care and support plan.

Language and policy context

• Legislation.gov.uk: British Sign Language Act 2022 - explanatory notes - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/34/notes/division/6/index.htm
  Explains that BSL is recognised as a language in England, Wales and Scotland, and warns against treating it as a signed version of English.

Other UK nations

• GOV.WALES: Accessible communication and information standards in healthcare - https://www.gov.wales/accessible-communication-and-information-standards-healthcare-html
  Official Welsh guidance on communication and information for people who are D/deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and BSL users. Useful if your service crosses the England-Wales border or uses Welsh sources.
• gov.scot: British Sign Language national plan 2023 to 2029 - https://www.gov.scot/publications/bsl-national-plan-2023-2029/
  Scottish guidance on reducing barriers for BSL users and the Scottish policy context for BSL.
• Department for Communities Northern Ireland: Sign language - https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/sign-language
  Explains that both British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language are used in Northern Ireland and that both are languages in their own right.
• Department of Health Northern Ireland: Sign language interpreting service for Health and Social Care appointments - https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/new-sign-language-interpreting-service-health-and-social-care-appointments
  Signposting on Northern Ireland's interpreting support, including in-person and remote sign language interpreting, deafblind interpreting, lip speaking and electronic note-taking.
• nidirect: Hearing loss - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/hearing-loss
  A practical Northern Ireland source covering hearing loss, hearing aids and referral routes. Use this as local signposting rather than assuming England-only pathways apply.