Meet the speakers
Our panel of world class speakers are ready to share their stories, experience, and insight into deafblindness.
Stephen Darling MP
Steve Darling is the Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024. He currently undertakes the role of Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions).
Dr Paul Hart
Dr Paul Hart has recently ‘retired’ from a 37-year career with Sense Scotland which allows him to focus his energies on further writing and learning about deafblindness and engaging in collaborations to learn more about best practices across the world. He was grateful for all his learning from the people connected with Sense Scotland, and in particular the time afforded to be able to participate in a range of international networks focussing on communication, assessment, cognition, happiness and high-quality lives, amongst other topics. He still teaches on the Masters in Communication and Deafblindness course at the University of Groningen and in the past year has been involved with the Multi-sensory impairment course at the University of Birmingham, the Deafblind Studies programme at City of Birmingham University, and presentations and consultancy for support organisations across Europe, including the Nordic Welfare Centre.
Gavin Dean
Gavin Dean has lived with deteriorating sight and hearing loss as a result of having Usher Syndrome Type 3 since a young child. After having to attend multiple schools to get the support he needed as his disability progressed he set out at the age of 20 to achieve his aspirations to become a Physiotherapist and play sport at the highest level.
Undertaking several degrees he embarked on a 15 year career as a Physiotherapist, specialising in Occupational Health on the NHS before moving into Equality, Diversity and Inclusion as a Lead on the disability agenda.
At the same time Gavin embarked on a career playing cricket for the Blind ECB England cricket team, seeing him travel the world representing his county. He has also ran the London Marathon 3 times and at different stages of sight loss to raise mangy for both SENSE and Guide Dogs,
Passionate about understanding the importance of the impact deafblindness can have on well-being Gavin undertook a research paper during his Master’s degree on psychosocial well-being and health-related quality of life in a UK population with Usher syndrome which highlighted the importance of social support in reducing the negative impacts on psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life in those with Usher Syndrome.
Gavin has delivered several keynote speeches and presentations drawing on his lived experiences and professional expertise. Delivering on topics such as disability and sport, disability inclusion, disability in the workplace. The impact of disability on mental health and disability leadership and resilience.
Sam Gough
Sam Gough is a multi-sport athlete and disability advocate, best known for captaining the England Women’s blind football team. She also competes as a para rower, and raises awareness of disability inclusion, lives with both sight and hearing loss. She regularly shares her journey on Instagram, inspiring others with her story.
As an Ambassador for Deafblind UK, Sam is eager to raise awareness of sight and hearing loss while empowering those affected by deafblindness. A passionate advocate for equality and inclusivity - particularly in sports - she hopes to show the world that, with the right support and determination, anything is possible.
Hannah Downes and Lindsey Lintern - Multi Sensory Impairment (MSI)
Hannah and Lindsey work in Sensory Support Services, helping children and young adults with deafblindness. As qualified specialist teachers, they provide intervention, support and advice for children and young people in education.
Peter Simcock
Dr Peter Simcock is Associate Professor of Social Work and Centre Lead for the Deafblind UK Centre for Education and Research at Birmingham City University. He has a long standing research and practice interest in deafblindness, with a particular focus on social work and deafblindness, the experiences of those ageing with deafblindness, the relationship between law and social work practice in this field, and qualitative research involving deafblind people. Prior to working in academia, Peter was a specialist social worker with d/Deaf and deafblind people and maintains a connection with practice via his role as Chair of the Deafblind International Acquired Deafblindness Network (ADBN)