Who are we?
We are a group of UK clinicians from different disciplines with first hand experience providing a range of services for deaf people including medico legal reports, expert witness work, mental health assessments, risk assessments, therapy in BSL and deaf consultancy.
In this context “expert” relates to the legal definition of an “expert witness” and “expert evidence” that is usually outside of the experience of legal professionals.
We also welcome enquiries from the media and requests for commentary on Deaf-related news.
We hope we can help you find what you are looking for. We are not a company or organisation but have come together to provide a resource for professionals and the public, looking for expertise in deafness.
The aim of this website is to help you find the right professional to meet your needs and those of your client, whether this is providing consultation, therapy or a report.
Please contact the experts directly from their bio on our Professionals pages.
Areas of Practice
SPECIALIST ASSESSMENT
We understand that assessment of Deaf people in a legal setting is a highly specialised task, not to be undertaken by a non-specialist. It is necessary to have an understanding of language and culture of Deaf people and of the impact of developmental experiences associated with Deafness.
Many professionals with no prior experience in working with Deaf people can find the experience daunting and will benefit from specialist advice.
Without such specialist input there is a risk that the Deaf person suffers from inappropriate assessment and inadequate service provision. All of the experts on this site have many years experience of working with Deaf people.
Each professional's sign language proficiency level is indicated on their profile, and the majority are experts in mental health with adults and/or children.
MEDICOLEGAL REPORTING
All of the experts on this site have several years experience of working with Deaf people. They have different levels of skill in sign language which is indicated on each profile. This ensures a high level of service for all clients.
COURT SERVICES
As well as providing reports for the courts, a number of our experts have also worked in Court advising counsel regarding the cross examination of Deaf defendants and witnesses. Assessment of police interviews and the use of BSL interpreters in court.
TRAINING
We offer a wide range of training services such as:
How to work with a Deaf person in a hearing ward.
How to communicate and assess behaviour.
Working with Deaf people with mental health problems or a learning disability.
“Deaf people can do anything except hear.”