What is deafblindness?

Deafblindness is a unique disability that affects a large and growing number of people across the UK. Defined as “a combined sight and hearing loss causing difficulties with communication, access to information and mobility” (Social Care for Deafblind Children and Adults, LAC 2009(8), Department of Health), deafblindness ranges from people with some residual sight and hearing to those with profound loss who rely on touch to communicate.

There are four basic groups of deafblindness, although some will not fit into any of these categories:

• People born deafblind (congenitally deafblind)
• People born deaf who later lose their vision
• People born blind who later lose their hearing
• People who acquire a sight and hearing loss, often in later life (including most Deafblind UK members).

Deafblind people will both rely on Braille as a format and also interpreters who know ‘deafblind manual’ (a form of signing on the hands).

Click here for more information on deafblindness and services for this community.