Cambridge Resource Centre

Cambridge Resource Centre (CRC) is one of seven education centres for people who are deafblind and for people with a single sensory impairment with associated disabilities.

The centre is located on the outskirts of Cambridge, in the village of Knapwell and includes a reception area, kitchen, two classrooms, a craft room, specialist changing facilities and disabled toilets. The units constitute an Education Department containing areas for Moon, braille, Sighted Language & Literacy, Practical Numeracy, Personal & Social Development, and Pre-Language Communication, as well as Information and Communications Technology, Cooking, Sensory Skills Development & Physiotherapy/Beauty Therapy.

The CRC day starts at 9.30am. There is a variable morning coffee break, lunch is between 12 noon – 2pm, the afternoon coffee break is variable and the day ends at 4pm. Each learner has their own Individual Plan and Communication Profile designed to meet their specific requirements.

Their week might consist of a combination of programmes including:

• Education Courses
• Vocational Activities
• Creative Arts
• Planned Leisure Activities
• Mobility Training
• Sensory Awareness Lifeskills.

Each learner has an individually tailored timetable which is needs led by informed choice. Within the framework of these programmes, CRC offers a range of formal courses including ASDAN and OCN. There is also an extensive range of activities available including: Self Awareness, Personal and Social Development (PSD), Sensory Awareness, Environmental Studies, Art, Music, Horticulture, Office Skills, Hydrotherapy, Rebound Therapy, Physiotherapy, Music, Massage & Beauty Therapy, Swimming, Mobility, General Crafts, ICT, Practical Language, Literacy, Practical Numeracy, as well as a variety of one-off projects.

Communication is the cornerstone of all the sessions; a ‘Total Communication’ approach is taken with the focus on the learner’s preferred means of communication, including Sign Supported English, British Sign Language (BSL), Makaton, the Deafblind Manual Alphabet, Moon, braille & Alternative and Augmentative communication aids. We also use pre-language communication methods such as objects of reference, and symbol based communication systems.

Professionally qualified education staff are assisted by Learning Support Assistants who complete induction and post induction modules to deal with the specialised needs of learners who are deafblind, including communication methods. We also use external specialists where appropriate, for example music teachers.