Apply for basic training for people with severe visual or hearing impairments

If you have a severe visual or hearing impairment, you first have to learn how to deal with the new situation. With basic training, you can learn special skills that you will need at work and in everyday life.

In order to cope with a severe visual impairment or hearing impairment at work and in everyday life, you need to have many special skills. The disability-related basic training provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to lead an independent and autonomous life - both professionally and privately.

The special basic training courses are aimed at people who are basically looking for vocational training or retraining, but whose knowledge and skills are not yet sufficient to successfully complete this training or retraining due to a severe visual impairment or hearing impairment (which has occurred).

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 basic technical training for the blind, you will learn new techniques that are necessary for performing or continuing to perform a job due to your disability.

The course content includes, for example

• Reading and writing Braille (Braille for the blind),
• getting to know and using computer aids for the blind,
• working with electronic readers and note-taking devices for the blind,
• Orientation and mobility, so that you can move and orient yourself independently and safely in public spaces,
• practical life skills so that you can, for example, sign, recognize money, care for your clothes and prepare meals - in short, run your own household.

The duration is 10 to 12 months.

Basic hearing training

During basic hearing training, you will learn strategies to communicate as well as possible with hearing people. The aim is for you to find the hearing tactics that will enable you to communicate best with hearing people both at your place of training or workplace and during a vocational qualification.

The course content includes, for example

• Speech training,
• Hearing training for hearing aid or cochlear implant users
• Development and training of listening tactics,
• Use of written interpreters, sign language and technical aids,
• Audiotherapy,
• communication training,
• Training to increase the ability to concentrate and cope with stress

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

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

This basic training usually takes place in a vocational rehabilitation facility that is set up to meet the special needs of people with disabilities.

You can find the office of the Federal Employment Agency responsible for you via the office finder.

You can find the office of the Federal Employment Agency responsible for you via the office finder.

Please ask your advisor which documents you need when you contact them.

Forms available: No
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance necessary: Yes
Online services available: Yes

• You have a severe visual or hearing impairment or are at risk of such a disability.
• Your responsible rehabilitation provider is the Federal Employment Agency.
• Due to the nature and severity of your disability, your prospects of participating in working life or participating in working life again are significantly reduced, and not just temporarily, and you therefore need help to participate in working life.
• You are prepared to undergo vocational training or be integrated into the workforce in some other way.

Appeal to the employment agency that issued the decision. Further information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the respective decision.

In order to receive the basic training required for your disability, you must contact your local employment agency:

• Make an appointment with the Vocational Rehabilitation and Participation team at your employment agency.
• If you do not yet have a personal contact at your employment agency, make an appointment via the Federal Employment Agency's service hotline.
• The consultation will clarify whether the basic training is suitable for you.
• If your advisor determines that the basic training is suitable for you, you will be registered for it immediately. Your advisor will also discuss the forms you need to complete with you. You can also complete the documents online.
• Your advisor will register you for the basic training.
• You will receive written notification as soon as a place is available.

Processing usually takes several weeks. Once the benefit has been approved, the measure should begin as soon as possible in coordination with the provider.

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