Deafblind UK Conference 2026

Thursday 8th October 2024 | Online

We know that touch is central to the lives of many Deafblind people. It is not just another sense – it is often the main way to access information, communicate, build relationships and feel part of the world.

This year's online conference, In Touch: Exploring touch, tactility and deafblindness, has been created to explore the power of touch and tactility from many different angles. We are bringing together the Deafblind community, families, carers, practitioners, academics, technologists and researchers to share knowledge, experience and ideas.

What we will explore

Understanding touch
We will look at touch as a primary channel for communication, learning and orientation, and how tactile experiences support emotional wellbeing, social connection and identity.
The science of touch
We will share what current research tells us about how the body and brain process touch, and the psychological and social benefits of tactile experiences throughout life.
Tactile communication
We will explore different forms of tactile communication, including tactile signing, hands-on signing, Braille and social-haptic communication. Our focus is on approaches that respect choice, consent and autonomy for Deafblind people.
Being “in touch”: emotional connections
We will hear from people with lived experience about how touch shapes relationships, family life and community, and we will create space for open discussion about empathy, boundaries and the role of touch in a predominantly visual and auditory world.

Through In Touch, we want to inform, challenge and inspire. Our aim is to strengthen understanding of touch, promote innovation that truly supports Deafblind people, and build a stronger sense of community across everyone involved in deafblindness.

We invite you to join us on 8th October 2026 as we explore and celebrate the power of touch in all its forms.

Register now

Connect

Explore and follow our panel of world class speakers, many with lived experiences of deafblindness, who shared their stories, experiences, and insights into how they stand out and fit in.

Learn

The conference delivered a wide range of insightful talks from speakers passionate about deafblindness. From deepening our professional understanding of deafblindness, to discussing updates on the latest research – there was something for everyone!

Keep talking

Make sure to share your thoughts, opinions and experiences of 'In Touch' online. Atendees will be invited to share feedback afterwards. During the day, you can respond to the ideas shared by the speakers, or connect with one another using the hashtag #DeafblindInTouch.

Agenda

09:30 - 09:35	Welcome Address	Nikki Morris, CEO, Deafblind UK
09:35 - 10:15	Beyond Sight and Sound: Mapping the Role of Touch in the WHO ICF Core Sets for Deafblindness	Dr Walter Wittich
10:15 - 10:25	Break
10:25 - 11:05	Neuropsychology of dual sensory loss and the tactile memory scale	Jude Nicols, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Statped and Haukeland University Hospital
11:05 - 11:15	Break
11:15 - 11:55	Establishing a tactile ecosystem - is it time for a tactile revolution?	Steve Rose, Speech Pathologist and Deafblind Consultant
11:55 - 12:05	Break
12:05 - 12:45	Designing Beyond Function: Aesthetic and Motivational Frameworks for Tactile Learning Materials	Dr Namita Jacob Programme Director, Chetana Trust and Senior Regional Education Specialist, Perkins International Teresa Anthony
12:45 - 13:15	Lunch
13:15 - 13:55	Lord Blunkett and Sir Stephen Timms
13:55 - 14:05	Break
14:05 - 14:45	Exploring Deafblindness: New Research and Emerging Insights from Birmingham City University	Dr Peter Simcock, Associate Professor of Social Work, Birmingham City University
14:45 - 14:55	Break
14:55 - 15:35	Lived Experience and Research in Social-Haptic Communication and Vibrosensoric Perception	Russ Palmer, International Music Therapist, Vibroacoustic Therapy Practitioner, and Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Riitta Lahtinen, Postdoctoral Researcher
15:35 - 15:45	Break
15:45 - 16:25	Panel Discussion - Exploring Tactile Communication Through Lived Experience
16:25 - 16:30	Closing Address	Robert Nolan OBE, Chair, Deafblind UK

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Accessibility

BSL interpreters and lipspeakers will be available at all sessions throughout the conference, helping to ensure an accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Support Deafblind UK

Deafblind UK supports people living with deafblindness, and the people around them, to live better with sight and hearing loss.

This free event to help more people understand deafblindness and to ensure that those affected by the condition feel empowered and supported.

By donating a small amount, you can help to us to host more events like this and to continue the conversation about deafblindness.

From everyone at Deafblind UK, thank you for joining us!

Click here to donate to Deafblind UK