Manifesto 31

Currently within Scotland there is no consensus on a clinical definition of deafblindness. In the absence of this Deafblind Scotland uses:

“Persons are regarded as deafblind if they have a severe degree of combined visual and auditory impairment resulting in problems of communication, information and mobility” Breaking Through Report (1988).

  1. It is the right of deafblind people to be recognised as a unique community and we should be included in all aspects of society.
  2. We expect the Scottish Government, public and private sectors, and the wider community to be deafblind aware.
  3. It is the right of deafblind people to have equal access to influence local and national policy and we should be fully consulted throughout.
  4. It is our right to have access to communication information, travel and equipment that is fully accessible and is financially inclusive.
  5. It is every deafblind person’s right to accessible support across multiple services in particular during diagnosis, transitions and major life events.

updated 16 Sept 2021