wcainfo

Activity 7: Understanding communication

Activity 7 is defined in regulations as -

Understanding communication by: (i) verbal means (such as hearing or lip reading) alone; (ii) non-verbal means (such as reading 16 point print or Braille) alone; or (iii) a combination of sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii), using any aid that is normally or could reasonably be used, unaided by another person.

Activity 7 considers difficulties in understanding a simple spoken or written message because of sensory impairment. In each case a descriptor can be satisfied because of hearing or sight problems, so it is only necessary to show you have difficulty or cannot understand a spoken or written message, and not both.


Descriptors

The descriptors that relate to activity 7 are -

  1. Cannot understand a simple message, such as the location of a fire escape, due to sensory impairment. 15 points
  2. Has significant difficulty understanding a simple message from a stranger due to sensory impairment. 15 points
  3. Has some difficulty understanding a simple message from a stranger due to sensory impairment. 6 points
  4. None of the above applies. 0 points

Sources:

See also section 3.2.9 of the DWP’s Work Capability Assessment handbook: for healthcare professionals.


Case law

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