We propose a 5-year programme of Research and Policy Development, with an annual focus on one ‘key lever’. In 2025 we will focus on increasing the number of people impacted by deafblindness receiving a specialist assessment and subsequent care package. Currently, the awareness of these rights is low amongst the deafblind community, and subsequent uptake is poor.
We aim to influence change to ‘hearts and minds’. Our work will have a national reach, feeding into a raised awareness and understanding of the issues and needs of those impacted by dual sensory loss at every level of our society. Consequently, better decisions will result, ensuring that our community is considered and catered for in any legislative, policy, and procedural development. Our work will lead to a greater understanding and celebration of diversity, leading to a greater cohesion within our society.
To support our capacity building, we are delighted to advise that we have been awarded a grant by a UK Registered Charitable Foundation to establish and develop an Education and Research Centre at Birmingham City University (BCU). The grant, of £449,179 over 4 years, will allow us, in conjunction with our colleagues at BCU, to create this ‘Centre of Excellence’, which we think will be a ‘gamechanger’ in deafblindness research, nationally and internationally.