Deafblind Awareness Week runs from Monday 24th June until Sunday 30th June. This awareness week is all about learning what life is like for those who are deafblind, and celebrating their achievements.
Deafblindness is a combined sight and hearing impairment which affects over 400,000 people in the UK. It doesn’t always mean no sight or hearing, although for some people this is the case. Deafblindness affects everyone differently, some people need to make small changes to the way they go about everyday life and others will need help from people for communication and getting about.
Harry is our Senior Lead Communicator Guide, and helps the deafblind people we support. Harry will be featured on our social media channels during the week explaining in British Sign Language (BSL) what we are doing to raise awareness.
Harry signs, “We’ll be sharing photos and videos of inspirational people connected with our charity throughout this week. Around 400,000 people are affected by sight and hearing loss across the UK. They’ve overcome barriers and we can’t wait to share their stories. Please spread the word on deafblindness. With your help we can raise awareness this week and beyond. Thank you.”
James is deafblind, and supported by the charity and will be featured on our social media channels during Deafblind Awareness Week telling us about his latest passion, cycling on his trike. He finds that being active and doing outdoor sports helps him to forget about daily barriers he faces, due to Usher Syndrome. Nervous at first, he’s grown in confidence and is hitting the roads both solo, and with his biking guide. James is a true inspiration.
James tells us, “I try and focus on the potential instead of the limitations.
Later in the week, one of our Trustees, Penny Gunn, who is Deaf and partially sighted will be featured to talk about sailing with Deaf Sailing UK. Also featured later this week is one of our Administrator, Diane, who has Usher Syndrome. She describes how she has overcome barriers and gained confidence thanks to equipment support through the Access to Work scheme. She says, “If you’re applying for a new job and you’re deafblind, just go for it. There is help out there.”
Please visit our social media channels on FaceBook, Instagram, X, TikTok and You Tube for the full stories.
If you know someone who is deafblind and looking for support please visit https://sightforsurrey.org.uk/get-help/deafblind/
