Reach Out and Connect

[with-not-for-blog]

Helen Keller was the first deafblind woman to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Don’t ever doubt the abilities of anyone. We are all capable of amazing feats.

[with-not-for-blog]

Experience life in a different way.

[with-not-for-blog]

Deafblindess comes with many challenges, and It’s okay to rethink goals. One may take many steps forward and many steps back, but that’s what life is about. 

[with-not-for-blog]

Hands signing into hands reading.

[with-not-for-blog]

Let’s communicate differently.

[with-not-for-blog]

Just like every person is different, so is every case of deafblindess.

[with-not-for-blog]

A smiling deafblind baby boy wearing spectacles and hearing aids.

[with-not-for-blog]

I wish I had known in the beginning that deafblindness didn't mean the end of the world for my child. It is just the beginning of an amazing journey through learning and sharing her story. She teaches us every day that disabilities cannot slow you down.

Teresa Kreeger, parent of a deafblind child

[with-not-for-blog]

Hailing from Ottawa, this is Kevin Frost with his dog Lewis. He has Usher Syndrome Type 2 and is deafblind. He has 3.5% of his vision and 9% of his hearing.

He is among the world’s best Masters speedskaters!

[with-not-for-blog]

They are people first and foremost!

[with-not-for-blog]

The Canadian Helen Keller Centre (CHKC) opened it’s doors in 2001 to provide deafblind Canadians programs and training opportunities and services. Core programs include:

Skills of Daily Living, Computer Essentials, Adapted Communication, Orientation and Mobility, Braille and Using Your Intervenor.

Raising public awareness to deafblindess is also very important to them. Raising awareness brings upon change and acceptance.

[disabilityaware]

Meet Haben Girma - the first ever deaf-blind graduate from Harvard Law School. Girma has worked hard to achieve the highest of honours - rock on! Girma, an Eritrean-American is an advocate for civil rights with respect to people with disabilities. Following in the footsteps of greats such as Helen Heller and Mae Brown.

[with-not-for-blog]

I love this! This just proves that everyone is capable of great success!

[teach-with-your-hands]

Losing your sight as a deaf person - BBC News

Sight is important for deaf people to communicate, so what happens if you also start to go blind?

[platinumgalaxy-deactivated20211]

I'm A Deafblind Mother of 2. Here's 10 Things I'd Like You To Know.

There are a number of things abled-bodied people don't know about the deafblind community that they should. Here are 10 of them.

One of the items on this list states that you should put your hand on the person’s arm or wrist to get their attention. Anecdotally, I have not known many Deaf people that prefer this.  Usually they ask that I wave a hand in front of their face to get their attention, and to only grab their arm or shoulder if something dangerous or serious is happening. Since the amount of functional vision with the deafblind can really vary, that may be why the author suggests this. 

[with-not-for-blog]

Every deafblind person is different. Communication is unique.

[with-not-for-blog]

Take the time to provide meaningful communication.

[with-not-for-blog]

A great deal of trust is required by the deafblind person to communicate with ease. Take a moment and imagine yourself being deafblind and only getting 5% of information.

How can you help them?