Research into childhood deafblindness

A sight and hearing loss charity is working with Anglia Ruskin University to uncover the impact of deafblindness on academic and social success.

Deafblind UK’s chief executive, Nikki Morris, said: “We know that lots of young people are affected by deafblindness, but we also know that with the right support, they can achieve. This research will determine the prevalence and impact that sight and hearing loss has on young lives.”

There are nearly 400,000 people living in the UK with deafblindness, according to the charity..

PhD student Claire Manford is leading the research. She believes that there could be as many as one in 140 children in mainstream schools who are deafblind. The Care Act includes legal obligations for supporting deafblind adults but does not cover children and people aged under 25. 

Claire said: “After 20 years as a teacher and multi-sensory impairment (MSI) teacher the chance to do something in the field, to have a positive impact for deafblind children, had a great appeal. Ultimately, we’re hoping to co-create (with deafblind children and young people) an intervention which will raise awareness of deafblindness amongst teachers and peers.”

The aim is to produce a resource to help teachers, parents and students to support academic and social success. For more information, visit www.deafblind.org.uk/schools.

Deafblind UK launched a ‘Lesson in a Box’ last year, to help students and staff understand deafblindness. It has been distributed to more than 1,600 schools to date.