Deafblind Conference 2023 - Meet the speakers
Our panel of world class speakers are ready to share their stories, experience, and insight into the wider impact of deafblindness.
Alexandra Adams | Deafblind medical student
Setting Sights on the ‘Impossible’
Alexandra is a final year medical student based at Cardiff University, and is best known as the UK’s first deafblind person training to be a Doctor. Over the years, Alexandra’s personal experiences of discrimination and stereotyping both within and outside the workplace, has led her to take up a strong advocacy role in the world of better inclusivity and accessibility, adopting a passion and belief for the ‘can do’ attitude. In her talk, Alexandra takes us through her journey so far of being, and becoming the UK’s first deafblind doctor. A profession and lifestyle that much of general society still views as a taboo for deafblind and disabled people, she shares with us the reality that comes with trying to dispel the myths and misconceptions of being a deaf and blind healthcare professional; what and how she was inspired to become a Doctor, the discrimination and hurdles she encountered, both on applying to, and navigating through medical school, and what Alexandra has learnt about workplace cultures and general society views, whilst navigating something that is still viewed as being so seemingly impossible to others.
Christopher Patnoe | Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, EMEA | Google, Inc.
Inclusive Innovation
Christopher Patnoe is the Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion for EMEA at Google. He leads Google's efforts around the accessibility of product, people, policy and partnerships across EMEA - with a particular focus on Emerging Markets. Christopher will discuss a few key factors to think about how to build inclusive, innovative products - using Google's AT as examples of this in action.
Dr Annmaree Watharow | Lived Experience Research Fellow | The University of Sydney
Being Prepared: Going to hospital, getting older and living life
Living with deafblindeness is complicated (and I know this because I live it) but there are things we can do that harness our own capabilities and make life a little easier and safer. This session will this session will talk about how to be prepared with do-it-yourself hospital kits, being prepared for older age; exploring a variety of touch messaging systems.
Megan Taylor | Deafblind UK member and fundraiser
Life with Superdogs
A Deafblind, neurodivergent, ambulatory wheelchair user with one hell of a story to tell! Learn how my life-saving Assistance Dogs, Ruby and Rowley, helped me to embrace my disabilities and gave me the confidence to climb UK's tallest mountain for Deafblind UK!
Poly & Ishan Chakraborty
Disability and Caregiving: A Narrative of Self-Discovery and Assertion
This talk will primarily focus on a caregiver’s journey with her deafblind ward and the various challenges that she had to face in the process. Although this narrative is going to be particularly from a South Asian perspectives, we believe it will resonate with the experiences of caregivers all across the world. Along with challenges, occasions of assertion and even self-empowerment will be highlighted in the talk. The journey of two individuals, who are interdependent on each other will enable the listeners to reflect on the over glorified and much celebrated ableist notion of self-reliance and ‘non-dependence’.
Prof. Tracey Harwood | De Montfort University
State of the Art: Creative Tech for Access
Tracy researches the impacts of emerging technologies on users, businesses and markets, and has published in leading marketing and digital creativity journals. She is director of the award-winning Art AI Festival and co-hosts and international podcast on machinima (machine cinema), called And Now For Something Completely Machinima. Her recent research includes work on AI, Internet of Things, haptics, VR/AR, digital twins and machinima. Her co-authored book on Pioneers in Machinima (Vernon Press) is currently listed in over 700 libraries around the world. In this talk, Tracy will highlight some of the latest developments in creative technologies, drawing on applications in entertainment, consumer and industry. She will discuss uses and potential for access.
Dr Liz Hodges | Advisory Teacher and Deafblind UK Ambassador
More questions than answers - a school story
Liz has worked in the field of deafblindness for over 30 years and in that time she has been a class teacher, worked in school management, been an advisory teacher and led teacher training in the UK for specialist teachers of deafblind children. Liz currently works for Hertfordshire County Council as a Lead Teacher for Deafblindness and is proud to be an Ambassador for Deafblind UK. This talk will consider the key issues that a deafblind child entering school will face and look for the different perspectives of the people involved. There are no absolute answers, but this could challenge you to help think through the important questions.
Tracey Osbourne and Jo Brady | LAWDIG
How do we connect, support, and develop our workforce?
The Local Authority Deafblind Interest Group (LAWDIG), has been active for many years. Following the departure of the group chair in 2015, LAWDIG was in danger of folding. After some deliberation, Jo and her colleague Tracey decided to run the group. We have been proactive in recruiting new members from across the country and membership now stands at 127. Since the expansion of LAWDIG a subgroup has been formed to support its ongoing development. LAWDIG is a group to share professional practice, and a number of high-profile speakers have attended. We have welcomed Marsha De Cordova (at the time, Shadow minister for disabled people) Simon Labbett, Chair of the Rehabilitation Worker Professional Network and Lyn Romeo, chief social Worker for England. We continue to encourage members participation to raise the profile of the Deafblind community.
James Griffin | Support Worker, Deafblind UK
A day in the life of a support worker
As a support worker at Deafblind UK's supported living complex, Rainbow Court, James strives to cultivate an environment of happiness and enthusiasm. His talk helps others understand the role of a support worker in helping people to connect. James will explore what the most enjoyable and difficult parts of the role; how support workers help with everyday things and also provide vital emotional support. James will share stories to explain how support workers help people make friends and be part of a community. He will also explore how support workers and the people they support, learn from each other.
Peter Hopkins | Communication Support Worker, Deafblind UK
A day in the life of a support worker
Peter's role is to empower and encourage independence. It is about connecting and building trust. Peter supports customers with a variety of communication needs and customers with varying degrees of sensory loss. The role is pivotal in improving and sustaining emotional and mental wellbeing. It helps reduce isolation and loneliness. The role of a CSW is varied a can encompass a range of different activities. From taking a person shopping, accessing support groups, attending higher education, attending a work placement, paying bills or even attending a drama group! No two days are the same.
Kelly Taylor | Deafblind parent and Deafblind UK Ambassador
Connecting as a parent living with deafblindness
Kelly is an Ambassador for Deafblind UK and a mum to two young children. She creates social media content about her experience as a deafblind person. Some of these videos are being used by Deafblind UK for training and on the Deafblind Studies course at Birmingham City University. Kelly's passion as a deafblind person and as a deafblind parent, is to raise awareness about deafblindness and to get people talking about disability in general. She hopes that in doing this, attitudes towards deafblindness and disability will continue to change for the better. Kelly has faced many barriers as a deafblind person and parent which she believes is due to a lack of understanding and awareness about deafblindness. By sharing her experience, Kelly hopes to break down barriers and sterotypes.
Angela Priestly | Deafblind parent and Deafblind UK Helpline Advisor
Connecting as a parent living with deafblindness
Angela has Usher Syndrome type 2. She is a mother to 3 grown up children and hearing dog Gilby. Angela was a barber at the start of her career, but had to give this up due to her worsening eye condition. Life became very difficult after this. Angela thought that her life was over and she wasn't going to be able to live a normal life. That was until her dual-purpose dog Deena became part of her life. Deena made Angela feel comfortable and safe with being deafblind and helped her to move forward. Angela has accomplished many things that she never thought would have happen, like winning a hearing dog award with Deena, finding a new career in charity work helping people with similar disabilities to her. She is proud of how far she has come and the challenges she has faced thought out her life.
Peter Simcock | Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Birmingham City University, and Deafblind UK Ambassador
How do we connect, support, and develop our workforce?
Dr Peter Simcock is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Birmingham City University, UK. Prior to working in social work education, he was a specialist social worker with d/Deaf and deafblind people, and has a long-standing practice and research interest in deafblindness. Peter is the Chair of the Deafblind International Acquired Deafblindness Network and an Ambassador for Deafblind UK.
Cheryl Northway | Wiltshire Council
How do we connect, support, and develop our workforce?
Cheryl is the dual sensory lead for the Hearing & Vision team in Wiltshire. She joined the team back in 2011 and moved across to the role of dual sensory specialist and began the diploma in deafblind studies in 2014. She later moved in to the lead role in 2020. Wiltshire is a rural county and currently has 6 members dedicated solely to the dual sensory discipline. Since 2014 they have implemented many changes including the development of an in-house communicator guide service and offering dual sensory registrations. Demand continues to increase and the council's next step is to establish an in-house intervenor service.
Mike Wycherley | Head of Charitable Services, Deafblind UK
Reconnecting after lockdown
Mike has been with Deafblind UK since 2011, having previously worked in the design and employment fields. Originally covering his much-loved native North Wales region, Mike’s current role as Head of Charitable Services allows him the opportunity to ensure that our community and national services directly reflect the varied needs and aspirations of our members and those who care for and support them.
James McVicker | Outreach Officer, Deafblind UK
Reconnecting after lockdown
James has worked for Deafblind UK for the past 5 years after completing a degree is in deafness, special needs and inclusion. He has recently finished a post graduate degree in BSL/English Interpretation and is delighted to apply his knowledge when working on "the front line" with Deafblind UK, tackling the barriers deafblind people face such as isolation, lack of awareness and mental health challenges.
Carys Jones | Sensory Support Officer, Deafblind UK
Reconnecting after lockdown
Carys is a a Sensory Support Officer based in South Wales, part of the Reconnections Cymru project team - which is a role she absolutely adores. In her day to day role, Carys meets Deafblind UK members who need support and guidance. She gets to understand the issues they may be facing and how Deafblind UK can further help. Carys loves her job and is passionate about making a positive impact on other people's lives – big or small.
Nikki Morris | CEO of Deafblind UK
Introduction to 'Connected Lives'
Nikki joined Deafblind UK as CEO in January 2023. Since taking up the post she has worked with the Trustees and the staff to identify their five key areas of impact as care and support, education, research, influence and technology. She is passionate that the charity meets the needs of those affected by deafblindness at every stage of their lives.
Robert Nolan | Chair of Deafblind UK
The impact of Deafblind UK membership
Retired after 36 year career with Shell Exploration and Production. As well as Chair of Deafblind UK, I am a trustee of the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind and an inspirational speaker on deafblindness. I enjoy travelling, keeping fit and playing guitar in a local band. My aspiration for Deafblind UK is to make us relevant to more deafblind people of all ages and to encourage, inform and enable deafblind people to live the lives we choose.