Ten years ago today, Laura from the Anne Sullivan Centre and Carol (who since co-founded Usher Syndrome Ireland), alongside other professionals, spoke to the Joint Committee on Health and Children about the urgent need to recognise deafblindness as a unique disability in Ireland.
The Committee unanimously agreed.
They supported recognition in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which highlights the distinct challenges faced by the deafblind community – especially around communication, accessibility, inclusion, and equality.
A decade later, that recognition still hasn’t happened.
To mark this 10-year milestone, we’re calling for renewed action. We urge the newly formed Committee on Disability Matters to take this forward and ensure real, lasting change for the deafblind community in Ireland.
How can you help?
– Share this post to raise awareness.
– Contact your local TD—by email or phone—and ask them to support official recognition of deafblindness as a unique disability.
Image description:
A group of 8 people are standing in front of government buildings holding up a sign saying “#ImNotInvisible” and a report on deafblindness.
#imnotinvisible10yearson
#deafblind
#DeafblindAwareness