About Us

Our vision is a world where Disability, sensory loss or risk does not limit, preclude or stigmatise people from achieving their full potential

Our Mission

“Work with our communities to improve the quality of life and equality of access for Deaf people, people with a sensory loss, Disabled people and people who are at risk.”

Sarah Thomas – Chief Executive Office, COS

Our Values

  • We involve members in decision making
  • We are open and inclusive
  • We are proud to work with others
  • We work with integrity
  • We care about Community
  • We care about our team

Giving people access to language, education, employment, information

As well as delivering support directly to disabled people in Wales COS has helped other organisations to become more inclusive too. We have run programmes in the public and private sectors, delivering direct support and training.

Our customers

Where it all began

1994 – Foundation of NWDA

Established by over 100 members of the Deaf Community in North Wales to address concerns about the changes to Local Authority boundaries and to protect the rights of Deaf People.

1994 – Early Services Initiated

Started with 2 staff members offering information, advice, Deaf Awareness Training, and a quarterly newsletter.

1999 – Expansion of Services

As the organisation grew in size and reputation we were able to employ interpreters, develop lipreading classes, and launched a Child and Family project funded by Children in Need.

2000 – Advocacy Service Established

Following the retirement of many Social Workers for Deaf People, and after talks with the heads of the relevant Social Services Departments, NWDA employed its first Advocacy Officer to continue support services.

Early 2000s – Office Relocation and Growth

Moved to offices in Mochdre, employing 10 people, and developed new services including befriending, video production for all our meetings and an Information Officer who would travel around the region taking the services to people living in rural North Wales.

2010 – Further Expansion

As we continued to grow, we were forced to move again, relocating to the Business Centre in Llandudno Junction, and drew up plans to purchase a permanent building we could grow into. Started an Employment Project and working with Wales Council for Deaf People, began training new lipreading teachers. 

2014 – Established the North Wales Sensory Centre

Purchased offices in Colwyn Bay which in turn became the North Wales Sensory Centre, bringing RNIB, Action Hearing Loss, and Guide Dogs under one roof.

2016 – Rebranding to COS

Renamed to Centre of Sign-Sign and Sound (COS) to reflect expanded services, including national projects in partnership with Action on Hearing Loss, and work with individuals with dual sensory loss.

2025 – Consolidated the COS Brand

Updated the brand and communication strategy to reflect the evolving needs of the community we serve.