Definition of Deafblindness
Whilst there is no generally accepted definition of deafblindness there is a working description that has been accepted over many years. ‘Persons are regarded as deafblind if their combined sight and hearing impairment cause difficulties with communication, access to information and mobility’. (Think Dual Sensory, Department of Health, 1995). Deafblindness can be found in all age groups, including children, but the incidence is greatest in older adults.
Deafblind UK is committed to addressing the inequalities faced by people with deafblindness by drawing attention to their needs, campaigning for their rights and pressing home the case for better access to vital services.
Many people are largely unaware that deafblindness exists let alone that the main factors that make deafblindness such a unique disability are that it is difficult to communicate, difficult to access information and very difficult to get from A to B if you are deafblind.
We want to put deafblind people on the map by raising awareness within the general public and with the media. By launching our new Health Campaign (the first of many) we hope to highlight the issues that deafblind people face on a daily basis when accessing healthcare. Please click on the links below to find out more about our campaigning and awareness raising work.
Contact Us Get in touch with Heather Lord, Head of Campaigns and Awareness if you would like to find out more about our campaigning work or if you are a deafblind person needing support on Tel: 01733 358 100 (voice/text) or email:
heather.lord@deafblind.org.uk
