Curricula and Examinations

The curricula and examinations for lipspeaking are the responsibility of the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP). The information below is intended as a guide only and should be read in conjunction with the qualifications information published on the CACDP website; in particular the latest versions of the Qualification and Unit Structure Booklet and the Progression Chart. The units have been designed so that they can be taken independently of each other.

Training Pathway

Level One

CACDP Level 1 Certificate in Developing Awareness and Communication with Deaf and Deafblind People

Qualification Code: DAC1

This qualification is designed to give learners an introduction to, and a basic knowledge of, the whole range of D/deaf and deafblind people (i.e. deaf, deafened, deafblind, hard of hearing, Deaf BSL users, Deaf visually impaired, blind hearing impaired and people with congenital deafblindness). It assumes no previous experience or knowledge.

The qualification is made up of 2 Units:

1. K101 Deaf and Deafblind Awareness
2. T101 Communication Tactics with Deaf and Deafblind People

Level Two

CACDP Level 2 Certificate in Communication with Deaf People

Qualification Code: CDA2

This qualification is designed to give learners knowledge about communication with all types of D/deaf and deafblind people. It also gives learners the skills necessary to communicate, on a one-to-one basis and with a degree of confidence, with deaf and deafblind people whose preferred language is English. The practical skills unit focuses on communicating with people who rely principally on lipreading. Learners will find it beneficial if they have achieved the CACDP Level 1 Certificate in Developing Awareness and Communication with Deaf and Deafblind People (DAC1) before they start this qualification.

The qualification is made up of 2 Units:

Level Three

CACDP Level 3 Certificate in Facilitating Communication with Deaf People (Lipspeaking Skills)

Qualification Code: FLS3

This qualification is for people who use the skills of lipspeaking as part of their everyday life or job, but who do not wish at this stage to become a Language Service Professional Lipspeaker. It is recommended that those who wish to take this qualification should have achieved CACDP Level 2 Certificate in Communication with Deaf People (CDA2).

The qualification is made up of 3 Units:

1. L304 Accessible English for Deaf and Deafblind People
2. T301 Lipspeaking Skills and Strategies
3. P301 Professional Issues in Facilitating Communication with Deaf and Deafblind People

CACDP Level 3 Certificate for Language Service Professionals Working with Deaf and Deafblind People (Lipspeaking) Qualification Code: LLS3

This qualification is the professional qualification for Lipspeakers. It replaces the previous Level 3 Lipspeaking qualification. It contains knowledge, skills and competences, and professional practice. Lipspeakers holding this qualification are eligible to become Members of the Register of Lipspeakers.

The qualification is made up of the three units necessary to achieve FLS3 (above) plus one further unit: P302 Professional Practice for Language Service Professionals.

Locating a Training Course

The CACDP website has an interactive map giving details of details of centres which are registered and/or approved to offer courses leading to CACDP qualifications. The map should be searched using the individual unit codes (rather than the qualification codes) and the area of the country in which you wish to undertake a course. It is unlikely that the Level 3 units, which have only recently been accredited, will be widely available as yet. If you wish to undertake Level 3 training and are unable to locate any training centres offering appropriate courses, please contact both the ALS Information Office and the RNID to register your interest.

Useful Links

Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP)
Website: www.cacdp.org.uk

RNID
Website: www.rnid.org.uk

Revised: October 2007