Join us to shout about sight and hearing loss this Deafblind Awareness Week!
24 - 30 June
Deafblind Awareness Week is a key event in our calendar and every year, we strive to help more and more people understand deafblindness and how it affects people.
Deafblindness is a combined sight and hearing impairment which affects over 450,000 people in the UK. It doesn’t always mean no sight or hearing, although for some people this is the case. Deafblindness affects everyone differently, some people need to make small changes to the way they go about everyday life and some people will rely on others for communication and getting about.
Throughout the week we will celebrate people living with deafblindness, sharing their stories, achievements and personal successes. We want to show that people living with sight and hearing loss often have the same interests, emotions and ambitions as people who are not deafblind.
So, join us on social media to raise awareness of sight and hearing loss and use #DeafblindAwarenessWeek.
Scroll down to learn more about the people behind this year's campaign, download our materials and discover the history of Deafblind Awareness Week.
Get involved
Join us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram or follow #DeafblindAwarenessWeek to shout about deafblindness!
Download and share the Deafblind Awareness Week email signature, logo and poster to show your support.
Click here to download your Deafblind Awareness Week materials.
Our lovely member, Ricky (introduced below), is doing a Q&A throughout the week. Ricky is very open and articulate and is happy to answer questions about living with sight and hearing loss. This is a chance for people to ask questions that they perhaps don’t feel comfortable asking usually, or just to find out more about life with deafblindness. Get involved by posting a question on our Facebook or X pages. We will post Ricky’s reply later in the week.
Meet some of the people we support
Kelly
“Everyone is different, whether they are deafblind or fully sighted and fully hearing. Everyone is different and we are all people, regardless of our disabilities. Deafblindness is part of who I am but it does definitely not define me.”
Ricky
"Due to my sight loss and hearing impairment, people often assumed that I am asleep, must have learning difficulties, or that I am unable to speak for myself; if only they knew that I am educated to postgraduate level! I do believe that things can become much better for people like me if society in general is more thoughtful and responsive to feedback about how things can be improved."
Ava
“I have faced much misunderstanding about my deafblind diagnosis, the assumption my peers and I cannot hear or see at all is the norm. Deafblindness is unique for everyone, no two people share exactly the same level of disability. Deafblind Awareness Week is so important to challenge misconceptions, promote understanding and celebrate our successes.”
Asia
"The deafblind community is richly diverse and for many, like myself, deafblindness is just one aspect of our identity, not the defining factor. Deafblind Awareness Week allows us to recognise that while we face unique challenges, they don't overshadow our many other traits and capabilities. Only by sharing stories and raising awareness can we break down misconceptions and foster understanding, empowering ourselves and creating a more inclusive and compassionate society."
Free webinar for local authority senior leaders
Deafblindness and the Care Act 2014 – your legal responsibilities
24th June | 2-3pm
During this webinar we will explore what the Care Act 2014 says about deafblindness, what it requires local authorities to do and who is responsible for this.
You will hear from experts at Deafblind UK and the Local Authority Workers network (LAWDIG) about how they support strategic work on deafblindness, and how they have developed as a strong professional network, which has been recognised as a key consultation group by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Dr Peter Simcock, Associate Professor in Social Work at Birmingham City University will also provide an overview of the legal requirements around deafblindness placed on local authorities.
This webinar is designed for all Local Authority senior leaders and is not limited to those with sensory responsibility.
This webinar took place on Monday 24th June.
Awareness talks to learn more about deafblindness
Feel inspired to learn more about deafblindness? Book one of our popular deafblind awareness talks to learn more about how to support your teams and customers.
Click here to book a deafblind awareness talk for your organisation.
Support for people living with deafblindness
Deafblind UK supports people living with any level of deafblindness, as well as their carers and family. We can help with mental health, finding social opportunities, and practical things like housing and benefits. For more information about how we can support you and your family, please click here.
History of Deafblind Awareness Week
Deafblind Awareness Week marks the birthday of Helen Keller. Born in 1880, Helen Keller was an author and political activist who is well known for being the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Fast forward 144 years and her legacy still lives on! Deafblind Awareness Week is a key event in our calendar and every year, we strive to help more and more people understand deafblindness and how it affects people.