This week, 24th to 30th June, marks Deafblind Awareness Week in the UK. It is a chance to learn more about deafblindness, the experiences of people who live with it, and how we can create a more inclusive world for everyone.
What is Deafblindness?
Deafblindness is a combined vision and hearing impairment. It can range from mild to profound, affecting people in different ways. Some people may have some usable vision or hearing, while others may have very little or none. Deafblindness does not necessarily mean complete sight and hearing loss, but it does significantly impact how a person perceives the world.
According to Sense, a leading charity supporting people with complex disabilities, including those with deafblindness, there are approximately 400,000 people in the UK who are deafblind. This number is expected to rise due to the aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions that can lead to sensory impairments.
Raising Awareness
Many people have misconceptions about deafblindness, thinking it means complete isolation from the world. Raising awareness is to help us understand the different ways people with deafblindness communicate and navigate their daily lives.
Celebrating Achievements
To recognise the achievements of people who are deafblind.
What can organisations and governments do?
- Increase understanding and empathy towards the deafblind community.
- Highlight the specific needs and challenges faced by deafblind individuals.
- Improve accessibility and support services.
- Implement inclusive practices and legislation.
- Encourage businesses, organisations, and communities to adopt inclusive practices.
- Ensuring that deafblind individuals have equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of society.
What can you do?
There are many ways to get involved with Deafblind Awareness Week:
- Educate Yourself: Sense (https://www.sense.org.uk/) or Deafblind UK (https://deafblind.org.uk/) to learn more about deaf blindness, the different communication methods used, and the support available.
- Organisations like Sense and Deafblind UK run educational campaigns to inform the public about deaf blindness.
- Workshops and webinars are organised to provide insights into the daily lives of deafblind individuals and the support they require.
- Events such as sensory walks, fundraising activities, and community gatherings are held to foster a sense of community and support.
- Share on social media: Use the hashtag #DeafblindAwarenessWeek to share information and resources with your network.
- Challenge Misconceptions: If you hear someone making assumptions about deaf blindness, kindly correct them and share some facts.
- Get involved
- Advocacy groups promote policy changes that enhance accessibility and support services.
- Campaigns focus on areas such as healthcare access, education, employment, and transportation.
- Donate to Charity: Consider supporting organisations like Sense or Deafblind UK who provide vital services and support to people who are deaf blind.