Deafblind Awareness Week 2022

Deafblind Awareness Week - 20 to 26 June 2022. There are an estimated 31-34,000 people living in Scotland with a dual sensory impairment.

Deafblindness and sight loss affect over 211,000 people in Scotland.

What is deafblindess?

Deafblindness is the loss of sight and hearing to the point where it impacts your communication, mobility and ability to access information.

Deafblindness is often also referred to as ‘dual sensory loss’ or ‘dual sensory impairment’.

Deafblind and visually impaired people are amongst the least visible in society.

Many are older and unable to connect with life in their communities without specialist support or adaptations to the way that we operate our public services and businesses.

Deafblindness does not always mean complete sensory loss. Some individuals may retain some sight and/or hearing.

Further information about deafblindness

Get involved in Deafblind Awareness Week

The campaign celebrates Deafblind people's Right to Dream. There are lots of exciting and fun events for Deafblind Scotland's members to enjoy.

Find out more by following Deafblind Scotland on social media @dbscotland - please share the hashtag #DBAW2022 to show your support and get involved!

Further information on how to get involved in Deafblind Awareness Week

Resources and support

How deafblind British Sign Language (BSL) users can access NHS 24 information and services:

  • deafblind BSL users can access the BSL resources we provide on NHS inform or on our YouTube channel
  • deafblind BSL users can communicate with NHS 24 phone-based services via Contact Scotland BSL including the 111 service, NHS inform helpline (on 0800 22 44 11) and Breathing Space (on 0800 83 85 87)

People who have dual sensory loss in Scotland can get support, advice, and information from:

Deafblind Scotland have also produced an inclusive communication guide, to help engage with deafblind people: