Working as a Deafblind Man: Joe’s story

Written by Joe Coffin on

Joe is 57. He lives in Sense-supported living accommodation in Birmingham and volunteers every week at the reception desk at Sense TouchBase Pears. It’s the perfect role for Joe, who describes himself as friendly and sociable.

To mark Deafblind Awareness Week next week, we sat down with Joe to celebrate the positive impact he has on our community.

He shares his deafblind experience as a working man…

Descriptive transcript of Joe's video

Joe is sitting behind the TouchBase reception desk, wearing his purple TouchBase hoodie.

Rebecca: When did you start working at TouchBase?

Joe: 2018, when it opened. I answer the buzzer, I press the button, let people in, and then I give people the fobs.

Rebecca: How do you know which ones are fob one and fob two?

Joe: Because they’ve both got Bumpons on the boxes. One Bumpon on number one, and two Bumpons on number two.

I like seeing everybody and speaking to everybody, giving people what I’ve got to give them, and seeing everybody who works in the office. I enjoy doing all of it.

The Sense logo appears.

First contact with Sense

I moved to Church Lane in 2003, a home that’s based in Handsworth.

I was living with other people there, but I was restricted because I was in a residential.

Then I started working at the old day service at some point in 2007, but I wasn’t getting much work there.

I moved into Brindale in 2012, which is supportive living, where I’ve got my own flat.

Working at TouchBase

I started working at TouchBase when it opened in 2018.

I have been here a long time!

I started off doing the buzzer and giving out fobs.

Joe's hand is hovering over a green buzzer.

I answer the buzzer. I press the button. I let people in. Then I give people the fobs.

People need a different fob, depending on the floor they want.

Using Bumpons

I know which box is which because they’ve both got Bumpons (or Bump Dots) on the boxes.

A close up of a washing machines dial with various washing options around it. There are orange Bumpons in key spots so Joe know where certain settings are.
Joe’s washing machine at home has Bumpons on certain settings, so Joe knows where to spin and stop the dial.

There is one Bumpon on number one, and two Bumpons on number two.

I feel for the Bumpons, to tell which box is which.

I dont use them much at work, but at home you’ll see them around.

There are Bumpons on my locker too, so I know which one’s mine.

What Joe enjoys about work

I enjoy speaking to everybody, doing more, and giving the people what I’ve got to give them.

And seeing everybody who works in the office. The social side.

Joe is sat behind the reception desk, smiling widely, as someone leans over the desk to talk to him.

I have lots of friends. Most people do know me.

I do enjoy chatting to people who come to the desk, and I like seeing everybody.

Joe’s community

I don’t just talk to Sense staff.

I talk to the other people who come in. I talk to the people who work upstairs.

People from the West Midlands in the NHS.

My favourite part is everything about it, including the social side.

I enjoy doing all of it.

I would always tell people to meet me here.

Because they would be able to see what it’s like and chat to Josie.

Come and see me at TouchBase on a Thursday! I am very proud of what I do.