International Deafblindness Day is celebrated on June 27, with the goal of raising awareness about people with this disability around the world.
Understanding Deafblindness
Deafblindness is a disability that affects a small percentage of the world’s population and is a condition that severely impacts both vision and hearing. This generally results in significant limitations in their lives.
It is difficult for the affected senses to compensate for one another; therefore, it constitutes a distinct disability that presents its own challenges, barriers, and specific requirements for support and inclusion, different from those of people who are only deaf or only blind.
Deafblind people face barriers because deafblindness is not recognized as a distinct disability, and this renders them invisible.
Helen Keller: An Example of Overcoming Adversity
June 27 marks the birthday of renowned author Helen Keller (1880–1968), one of the most iconic figures in the deaf-blind community.
Helen Keller’s life is the inspiring story of a woman who, despite being born without any disabilities, contracted a terrible illness at the early age of two that caused her to lose her sight and hearing completely.
Despite this limitation, Hellen Keller’s parents were committed to their daughter’s education, and through great effort and perseverance, she managed to complete a college degree, becoming the first blind and deaf person to achieve such a feat.
Over the years, she became an ambassador for the American Foundation for the Blind, gaining worldwide fame and recognition for her commendable work on behalf of all people with her condition.
Declaration on the Basic Needs of People Who Are Deaf-Blind
Deafblind people have the right to have various basic needs met so they can improve their quality of life. Among these, the following stand out:
- They have the right to develop their full potential just like any other human being.
- They are people who require specialized care in education, health, and the workplace.
- Teaching spoken language is essential so that people who are deafblind have one or more effective tools for communicating well with the world around them.
- People who are deafblind should have access to a skilled interpreter, which would make their lives easier.
- When deafblind people reach adulthood, they should have the opportunity to enjoy dignified housing with supervised assistance.
- They have the right to lead an active social life and to participate in various recreational activities during their free time.
International Day of Deafblind People is a truly significant occasion that brings attention to the thousands of people around the world who live with this condition and who serve as a great example of determination and courage in the face of adversity.
This important celebration serves to honor not only the deafblind, but also all those who strive every day to improve their quality of life, whether through education, healthcare, or social work.
