Deafblind UK and Birmingham City University Announce Education and Research Centre
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Loading... - Emma Endris
- 28 Jan 2025
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Birmingham City University (BCU) has announced the launch of a new research centre in collaboration with Deafblind UK, aimed at enhancing education and research related to deafblindness. The Deafblind UK Centre for Education and Research, located at BCU, will serve as a vital link between individuals living with combined vision and hearing loss, researchers, and clinicians.
This initiative builds on the partnership established between Deafblind UK and BCU in 2019. In March 2022, BCU welcomed its first cohort of students into the Certificate and Diploma in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies) programme, which was developed in collaboration with Deafblind UK and a consortium of charities.
The new centre is designed to provide resources and research programmes specifically tailored for individuals with deafblindness. According to a news release, it aims to raise awareness about deafblindness and equip junior researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary to become future leaders in this field of research and clinical practice.
Deafblindness encompasses a wide spectrum of experiences, ranging from mild vision and hearing loss to total loss of both senses. The press release noted that approximately 450,000 people in the UK are affected by sight and hearing loss, highlighting that deafblindness is more prevalent than many may realize.
David Childs, an associate professor and head of the College of Education and Social Work at BCU, emphasized the significance of the centre, stating, “This Centre will be a game changer in how we understand more about deafblindness and what we can do to make the lives of all those affected better. The research undertaken in this area is shockingly low. The new Centre won’t just meet the knowledge gap; it will be an important beacon of hope to those affected by dual sensory loss.”
Lord David Blunkett, a member of the House of Lords who has been blind since birth due to a genetic disorder, praised the establishment of the Deafblind UK Centre for Education and Research. He remarked, “A great deal is known about sensory challenges for blind people and those with profound deafness, but much less about the dual challenges that deafblind people encounter on a daily basis. This Centre will make an important contribution—both to greater understanding and public awareness of the ways in which social and technological innovation can assist in the future.”
The centre's focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with deafblindness represents a significant step toward inclusivity. Ricky Blair, a member of Deafblind UK, pointed out, “Frustratingly, there are often adjustments in place for those who are deaf or blind. People often forget that many have to grapple with both disabilities simultaneously.”
The launch of the Deafblind UK Centre for Education and Research marks a crucial advancement in understanding and supporting the deafblind community, fostering a more inclusive society through education, research, and awareness.
