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Deafblind UK
Call us on: 0800 132320 Email us on: [email protected]
Deafblind UK
  • Get Support
    • Practical Support

      Support with everyday activities like shopping or catching up with friends.

    • Emotional Support

      Feeling overwhelmed, lonely or just need to talk? We’re here for you.

    • Information and advice

      Find out more about sight and hearing loss.

    • Help with Technology

      From smartphones to listening aids, let digital tech help you connect.

    • Holidays

      Discounted holidays in Norfolk.

    • Become a member

      Access our support with a free membership to Deafblind UK.

    • Find a service near you

      Use our search tool to find deafblind friendly groups, activities and venues near you.

  • Get Involved
    • Our campaigns

      Our latest campaigns to raise awareness of deafblindness.

    • Events and challenges

      Challenge yourself to raise money for people with sight and hearing loss.

    • Volunteer

      Find out about volunteering for Deafblind UK.

    • Our shops

      Our charity shops sell clothes, homeware, books, games and much more!

    • Play our lottery

      Find out about our weekly Deafblind UK lottery draw and start playing now.

    • Corporate partners

      Find out how we work with corporate organisations to lead social change.

    • Give in memory

      Make a donation to celebrate the life of a loved one.

    • Leave a gift in your will

      Find out how your can leave a legacy gift to Deafblind UK

  • For Professionals
    • Learning and development

      Webinars and courses for anyone who works with people who are deafblind.

    • Becoming Deafblind friendly

      Could your service, business or venue be more accessible to people with sight and hearing loss?

    • Deafblind awareness talks

      Find out more about sensory loss by booking a deafblind awareness talk for your team.

    • Schools

      Together we are creating great memories for young deafblind people!

    • Resources

      A range of fact sheets, guides and information to download.

    • Make a referral

      Refer someone to us for help and support.

    • Payroll giving for employers

      You can create a brighter future for people who are deafblind with Payroll Giving.

  • About Us
    • Join our team

      Check out our available jobs and come and work for us!

    • Our people

      Meet our Board and Executive Management Team.

    • Impact report

      Download our most recent impact report.

    • Our Vision and Strategy

      Find out why were here and what we stand for.

    • Our history

      Discover our rich history of helping people with sight and hearing loss.

    • Research

      Read about our current research projects.

  • Get Support
    • Practical Support

      Support with everyday activities like shopping or catching up with friends.

    • Emotional Support

      Feeling overwhelmed, lonely or just need to talk? We’re here for you.

    • Information and advice

      Find out more about sight and hearing loss.

    • Help with Technology

      From smartphones to listening aids, let digital tech help you connect.

    • Holidays

      Discounted holidays in Norfolk.

    • Become a member

      Access our support with a free membership to Deafblind UK.

    • Find a service near you

      Use our search tool to find deafblind friendly groups, activities and venues near you.

  • Get Involved
    • Our campaigns

      Our latest campaigns to raise awareness of deafblindness.

    • Events and challenges

      Challenge yourself to raise money for people with sight and hearing loss.

    • Volunteer

      Find out about volunteering for Deafblind UK.

    • Our shops

      Our charity shops sell clothes, homeware, books, games and much more!

    • Play our lottery

      Find out about our weekly Deafblind UK lottery draw and start playing now.

    • Corporate partners

      Find out how we work with corporate organisations to lead social change.

    • Give in memory

      Make a donation to celebrate the life of a loved one.

    • Leave a gift in your will

      Find out how your can leave a legacy gift to Deafblind UK

  • For Professionals
    • Learning and development

      Webinars and courses for anyone who works with people who are deafblind.

    • Becoming Deafblind friendly

      Could your service, business or venue be more accessible to people with sight and hearing loss?

    • Deafblind awareness talks

      Find out more about sensory loss by booking a deafblind awareness talk for your team.

    • Schools

      Together we are creating great memories for young deafblind people!

    • Resources

      A range of fact sheets, guides and information to download.

    • Make a referral

      Refer someone to us for help and support.

    • Payroll giving for employers

      You can create a brighter future for people who are deafblind with Payroll Giving.

  • About Us
    • Join our team

      Check out our available jobs and come and work for us!

    • Our people

      Meet our Board and Executive Management Team.

    • Impact report

      Download our most recent impact report.

    • Our Vision and Strategy

      Find out why were here and what we stand for.

    • Our history

      Discover our rich history of helping people with sight and hearing loss.

    • Research

      Read about our current research projects.

Living with deafblindness

Deafblindness affects everyone in different ways. This will depend on the nature of your sight and hearing loss; what has caused you to become deafblind; other medical conditions and also your own attitude, personality and life history.

Living with deafblindness does not always have a significant impact on your independence. Some people go about their daily lives with just a few minor adjustments or some well-planned technology. Others will need more support, such as a communicator guide or support worker, to help them with everyday tasks. For some people, simple changes to how their friends and family behave and communicate can make a huge difference to them.

You may find that as your sight and hearing have worsened, you have found creative ways to manage around your home and when you’re out and about. For example, you might know how many steps it is to your neighbour’s house, or you might know that you keep the shampoo on the right and the conditioner on the left. We often put these strategies in place without realising we’re doing so – and sometimes even before we have acknowledged that our sight and hearing are changing.


Deafblindness and mental wellbeing 

Whether you are coping with a new diagnosis or you have been living with sensory loss for years, a lot of people find that it affects the way they feel.

What you might be feeling:

  • Low or depressed
  • Shock, that your lifestyle might change
  • Anxiety about what the future holds
  • Sadness that you might not be able to do the things you enjoy
  • Stress, from trying to do everyday activities that are now harder and slower
  • Loss of identity and self-worth

It is normal to feel sad when you no longer have the sight and hearing that you are used to and when you know that this will change aspects of your life. It is important to know that this is all completely normal, and that you should seek support if you are finding things difficult.

Click here to download our ‘live better with sight and hearing loss’ leaflet


 

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Open Hand Magazine

Open Hand is our quarterly magazine. It contains articles and information that are tailored specifically to people with dual sensory…

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Join our mailing list and we will keep you up to date about our projects and opportunities to get involved with Deafblind UK.

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Open Hand Magazine

Open Hand is our free, quarterly magazine containing articles and information that are tailored specifically to people with dual sensory loss.

There are very few publications designed for this specific market and so Open Hand gives its readers valuable information that they may not otherwise have known and reminds readers about Deafblind UK’s support services.

Find out more

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Call us on 0800 132320 or text us 07903572885
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Deafblind UK
Call us on: 0800 132320 Email us on: [email protected]
  • Home
  • Get Support
    • Practical Support
    • Emotional Support
    • Information and advice
    • Help with Technology
    • Holidays
    • Become a member
    • Find a service near you
  • About Us
  • Get Involved
    • Our campaigns
    • Events and Challenges
    • Volunteer
    • Our shops
    • Play our lottery
    • Corporate partners
    • Give in memory
    • Leave a gift in your will
  • For Professionals
    • Learning and development
    • Resources
    • Becoming deafblind friendly
    • Deafblind awareness talks
    • Support for schools, colleges and universities
    • Make a referral
    • Payroll giving for employers
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    • Our People
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