There is a wide range of needs within the deafblind population. A major factor is which sense is impaired first or if there is combined onset, often seen with the elderly population or if a child is born (congenitally) deafblind. It is therefore important to acknowledge the differences between people who are deafblind, blind & deaf and congenitally deafblind.

SCoD adopts the following definition of deafblindness:

There are about 2,800 deafblind people living in Scotland.

SCoD will work with deafblind organisations to achieve for deafblind people

    Equality of access to:

• information
  
  
• health and social services
  
  
• employment
  
  
• education & training
  
  
• society

SCoD recognises and seeks to influence others to:

• recognise the uniquely disabling nature of dual sensory impairment which means deafblind people cannot automatically benefit from mainstream services or those services aimed primarily at blind people or deaf people who are able to rely on their other senses
  
  
• ensure Sensory Impairment services are accessible to deafblind people
  
  
• ensure that deafblind people have 1:1 communication and guiding support to pursue normal activities
  
  
• implement in full Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970

Selected bibliography

Breaking Through, Deafblind Services Liaising Group (Sense, Deafblind UK, RNIB and RNID), 1989