New government must do more for deafblind people

Deafblind UK chief executive Nikki Morris called for more research into the causes and impact

A charity has called on the new Government to include people living with sensory loss in decision making.

Deafblind Awareness week runs from 24–30 June. Nikki Morris, chief executive of Deafblind UK said: “We are fully committed to working with local and national government to better recognise and support sight and hearing loss. 

“Deafblindness is a fast-growing condition and its impact varies from person to person. But without the right support, deafblindness can have a far greater effect on someone’s mental and physical health.” 

The combined sight and hearing impairment affects over 450,000 people in the UK. By 2030 there could be as many as 600,000 people in the UK affected by deafblindness.

The condition affects everyone differently. It doesn’t always mean no sight or hearing at all. Some people need to make small changes to the way they go about everyday life and some will rely on others for communication and getting about.

The national charity wants them to be genuinely represented and their voice to be heard. “People living with deafblindness deserve to be involved in decisions that affect them, and we are their voice. So, Deafblind UK needs to be around the table for discussions and decision making about sensory loss. Please make decisions with us, not for us,” said Nikki.

The charity wants more investment into health and social care so that people have access to specialist assessment and care when they need it. 

Nikki said: “We want to see sensory loss higher up the agenda and we want people to get the specific support they need, when they need it. Deafblindness is a unique condition that affects everyone differently. Therefore, assessments and support needs to be specialised and bespoke.”

The charity calls for more investment into research about dual sensory loss so that everyone can better understand the causes and the impact it has on individuals and society. It hopes this will help to promote prevention and develop cures.

The general election will happen days after Deafblind Awareness Week celebrates people living with the condition. The charity is keen to show that people living with sight and hearing loss often have the same interests, emotions and ambitions as everyone else.

• Follow #DeafblindAwarenessWeek on social media
• Visit deafblind.org.uk/dbaw to download Deafblind Awareness Week resources or to register for a webinar to help councils’ sensory teams understand their legal obligations