Apply for basic education for people with profound visual or hearing impairments

In order to be able to cope with a profound visual impairment or hearing impairment at work and in everyday life, you must have many special skills. The basic training required due to disability provides you with the knowledge and skills you need for an independent and independent life – both professionally and privately.

The special basic training courses are aimed at people who are basically seeking vocational training or retraining, but whose knowledge and skills are not yet sufficient to successfully carry out this training or retraining due to a (occurring) severe visual impairment or hearing impairment.

If training or retraining is not possible for personal reasons, support can also be provided prior to taking up employment.

Basic technical training for the blind

During a basic training course in technology for the blind, you will learn new techniques that are necessary for the exercise or further exercise of an activity due to your disability.

The teaching contents include, for example:

• read and write Braille,
• get to know and use computer aids specific to the blind,
• working with electronic reading devices for the blind and recorders for the blind,
• Orientation and mobility, so that you can move and orient yourself independently and safely in public spaces,
• Practical life skills, for example, so that you can sign a signature, recognize money, take care of your clothes and prepare meals – in short, you can run your own household.

The duration is 10 to 12 months.

Basic training in hearing technology

During a basic audio training, you will learn strategies to communicate as well as possible with hearing people. The aim is to find out the listening tactics with which you can best communicate with hearing people personally, both at the training place or workplace and during a professional qualification.

The teaching contents include, for example:

• Training
• Hearing training for hearing aids or cochlear implant wearers
• Development and training of a listening tactic,
• use of speech-to-text interpreters, signs accompanying spoken language and technical aids,
• Audiotherapy,
• Communication training,
• Training to increase concentration and exercise capacity

The duration is 3 to 6 months, depending on requirements.

The basic training required due to disability is funded by the Employment Agency, provided that the Federal Employment Agency is the responsible rehabilitation provider. You are entitled to either transitional allowance or training allowance and you are covered by social insurance.

These basic training courses usually take place in a vocational rehabilitation institution designed to meet the specific needs of people with disabilities.