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PIP - Communication and Engagement

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8 years 10 months ago - 8 years 10 months ago #134491 by JRW
Hi,
I'm profoundly deaf, have been since birth, have copy audiogram of proof, wear one Hearing Aid. Are there any other people in similar situations who could tell me how they got on. Am waiting tribunal. My problem is that my speech is relatively normal (I think) I just sound like I have a lisp. I have asked for loop and speech to text for tribunal but I need to make it clear to tribunal how difficult it is for me, communicating, no social life etc. I don't even go to the dentist as I can't lipread them when they have their hygiene masks on. Thanks
Last edit: 8 years 10 months ago by . Reason: tick

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8 years 10 months ago #134506 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP - Communication and Engagement
JRW

Hopefully some of members will be able to let you know their experience of the system.

If you have a questions about the PIP criteria and the DWP guidance then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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8 years 10 months ago #134526 by JRW
Replied by JRW on topic PIP - Communication and Engagement
Originally I was given 2 points for wearing Aids. Then it was changed to 4 points for communication. I am arguing that I need points for engaging with people as well as I can't do this either face to face. I am also arguing that I need help with unfamiliar journeys as if anything goes wrong, I can't communicate to find out what the problem is or what I should do to get to where I am going. I am seeing the audiologist today as it happens so will try to get a updated audiogram. My hearing loss is senuourial and according to the statistics that DWP published recently, only about 600 people have got PIP under this category but the feeling I get from deaf websites is 'don't bother applying cos you won't get it' I'm fighting against this because deafness is invisible just like mental illness but it's still a disability,

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8 years 10 months ago #134541 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP - Communication and Engagement
JRW

I think you will struggle to score points for the Going Out Descriptor, none of the activities really lend themselves to the scenario in your post, this will be a route that you have planned and they will assume for example; that there are road signs and that you could make use of a map or instructions while following the route.

You mentioned in your original post that you can lip read, at least to some level, was this something that you included on your PIP form?

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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8 years 10 months ago #134556 by JRW
Replied by JRW on topic PIP - Communication and Engagement
We told them at the F2F that I lipread and that the Assessor needed to look at me, but she kept forgetting and talked either to her computer (on my left) or to my husband (on my right) (like a game of tennis!). The problem I have with unfamiliar journeys is that my husband and I worked at the same place, then he got transferred to another office. I was okay but then I just missed being on the Piccadilly tube that got blown up on 7/7. Since then, I now work locally, 2 mins in the car but on the rare occasions when I have had to go somewhere on my own or with my daughter, if there's disruption, I haven't got a clue and my daughter does all the listening and then takes on the responsibility of a new route. Classic example, had to get a bus, asked driver to put me off at certain place, sat near him so I could see him, he made announcement on bus tannoy, which i didn't hear so I ended up having to get off and walk some way back.

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8 years 10 months ago - 8 years 10 months ago #134573 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP - Communication and Engagement
JRW

I'm not saying you should not make your arguments to the Tribunal but you should be prepared to explain why, as an example, you can't count the stops or why getting off at the wrong stop would be an issue that you could not resolve.

From your post you are assessing yourself as meeting

d. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. 10 points.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 8 years 10 months ago by Gordon.

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