Deafblind UK explained

Deafblind UK is a national charity in the United Kingdom supporting people with sight and hearing loss to live the lives they want. Founded in 1928, Deafblind UK has its headquarters in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.[1] The charity help people to live with deafblindness by making connections, and building their confidence and independence through a range of services and campaigns. Run by staff and volunteers,[2] the current CEO is Steve Conway,[3] [4] who has been in position since 2018. The current chairman in Robert Nolan.[5]

History

The foundations of Deafblind UK began in 1928, when a small group of deafblind people and their carers founded the National Deaf Blind League.[6]

The following year in 1929 the first magazine for deafblind people, Braille Rainbow,[7] was launched. During the Second World War, Rainbow was considered so important that it was one of very few publications exempt from paper rationing. Today, Rainbow is called ‘Open Hand’ and is still produced by Deafblind UK.

In 1936, Fellowship House in Hoylake was opened,[8] which was the UK's first holiday home specifically for people with deafblindness.

In 1963, the charity built Rainbow Court, a complex of residential flats that were designed to enable deafblind adults to live independently.

The National Deaf Blind League became Deafblind UK in 1996.

A new National Centre for Deafblindness was opened in 2003 Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, which acted as the headquarters conference centre for the charity. In 2020, this building was sold and headquarters were relocated to the Rainbow Court site.[9]

Operations

Deafblind UK offer the following services:[10]

Campaigns

Deafblind Awareness Week[16] [17] runs at the end of June to coincide with the birthday of Helen Keller.[18] In 2021, it fell on the week of 28 June - 4 July.[19] The week aims to make dual sensory loss a more widely known condition; educating people about what it is and letting them know what to look out for in themselves and others.

Funding

Deafblind UK is funded by donations from the public,[20] corporate partnerships,[21] community fundraising,[22] legacies and charitable trusts.[23]

In 2019, Deafblind UK opened their first charity shop[24] in Werrington, Cambridgeshire, which was the start of a new funding stream.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Deafblind UK. 2021-09-23. www.cqc.org.uk.
  2. Web site: BBC - BBC Northern Ireland Broadcast Appeals, A BBC Northern Ireland television Appeal on behalf of Open Arts. 2021-09-23. BBC. en-GB.
  3. Web site: Peskett . Joe . New Deafblind UK CEO pledges to provide a 'more bespoke experience for accessibility needs . Access and Mobility Professionals . 20 April 2021 . 20 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210420095756/https://www.accessandmobilityprofessional.com/new-deafblind-uk-ceo-pledges-to-provide-a-more-bespoke-experience-for-accessibility-needs/ . dead .
  4. News: McCormick . Emily . Steve Conway has joined the charity as chief executive officer . 20 April 2021 . Optometry Today . Association of Optometrists . 12 October 2018.
  5. Web site: Robert Nolan – Deafblind UK. 2021-09-23. en-GB.
  6. Book: In Our Jubilee Year, 1928-1988. National Deaf-Blind Helper's League. 1988. London, UK.
  7. Web site: Elizabeth Taylor, First Editor of 'Braille Rainbow', the National Deaf-Blind Helpers League quarterly magazine . Brighton Museums . 20 April 2021 . 20 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210420094254/https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discover/2020/06/01/first-editor-of-braille-rainbow-the-national-deaf-blind-helpers-league-quarterly-magazine-elizabeth-matilda-taylor-1864-1947/ . dead .
  8. Book: compiled by Mary G. Thomas. A Chronological Survey of Work for the Blind (Supplement): 1931-1951. 1953. published for the Royal National Institute for the Blind by Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd. Inc American Printing House for the Blind.
  9. Web site: Disability charity sells headquarters for £2.5m . Third Sector . 20 April 2021.
  10. Web site: 2021-03-15. Get Support Deafblind UK. 2021-09-23. en-GB.
  11. Web site: 2020-09-15. Deafblind UK launches remote support groups to combat loneliness Deafblind UK. 2021-09-23. en-GB.
  12. Deafblind UK launches remote support groups to combat loneliness . Carers . Winter 2020/2021 . 21 . 20 . 20 April 2021.
  13. Web site: Deafblind UK Learning Hub. 2021-09-23. deafblind.powerhousehub.net.
  14. Web site: Disabled Holiday Charities. 2021-09-23. www.accessiblecountryside.org.uk.
  15. Web site: WCB article: Deafblind UK holidays in Prestatyn. 2021-09-23. www.wcb-ccd.org.uk. 2021-09-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20210920015854/http://wcb-ccd.org.uk/single_post.php?var=3740. dead.
  16. Web site: Deaf Blind Awareness Week - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament. 2021-09-23. edm.parliament.uk. en.
  17. Web site: 2021-05-17. Deafblind Awareness Week Deafblind UK. 2021-09-23. en-GB.
  18. Web site: Helen Keller Biography, Education, & Facts. 2021-09-23. Encyclopedia Britannica. en.
  19. News: Opening opportunities during Deafblind Awareness Week . 20 April 2021 . Enable Magazine . 24 June 2019.
  20. Web site: Deafblind UK Donate now . Deafblind UK . 23 September 2021.
  21. Web site: Deafblind UK and OXSIGHT work in partnership to give people their sight back . Oxsight . 23 September 2021.
  22. Web site: 2019-10-18. Boost for charities from popular raft race. 2021-09-23. Spalding Today. en.
  23. Web site: Deafblind UK Financial History . Charity Commission for England and Wales . 20 April 2021.
  24. Web site: Vara Opens First Deafblind UK Charity Shop Shailesh Vara MP - Member of Parliament for North West Cambridgeshire. 2021-09-23. www.shaileshvara.com.

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