Deafblind Awareness Week runs from 26th June – 2nd July and Deafblind UK is encouraging us to ‘tune in’ to our sight and hearing during the week so we can all be more deafblind aware.
During Deafblind Awareness Week, Deafblind UK will be sharing easy ways to identify sight and hearing loss and encouraging people to get their eyes and ears regularly checked.
Nikki Morris, CEO of Deabflind UK said: “Thousands of people have sight and hearing loss and many don’t realise it yet. But they could be missing out on doing things they enjoy doing, or finding things harder than they need to. We’re encouraging everyone to ‘tune in’ and be aware of changes to their sight and hearing, get regular sight and hearing tests, and to get support when they need it. This might mean that you make some changes to your lifestyle now, rather than missing out on the things you enjoy doing later on.”
Deafblindness is a combined sight and hearing impairment. It doesn’t always mean no sight or hearing, although for some people this is the case. It affects around 450,000 people in the UK and it 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.
Deafblind UK supports people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland who have both sight and hearing impairments.
57 year old Sue has recently been told that she has Macular Degeneration, a condition that affects the central part of your vision. “I’ve been hard of hearing for a few years so the thought of having a sight impairment too is terrifying. The diagnoses was just too much to process, I couldn’t take it in so I left the appointment feeling really confused.” Said Sue.
After a few days, Sue contacted Lyn at Deafblind UK, who explained her condition and how it might affect her. “It felt like a big hug. Lyn helped me to process what’s happening to me. I now understand my options and I can start to think about my future again.” Sue continued.
There are lots of different ways you can take part in Deafblind Awareness Week – from sharing social media content to learning how to identify deafblindness in yourselves and others. But whatever you do, tune in to your sight and hearing!
To support Deafblind Awareness Week you can download our online resources here and follow #DeafblindAwarenessWeek on social media.
