Deafblind Australia
Deafblind Australia (DBA) is a peak advocacy organisation representing the Deafblind community across Australia. DBA is working collaboratively with two major Deafblind specialist providers Senses Australia and Able Australia to ensure the provision of supports and services are provided to individuals and groups with multiple disabilities including Deafblindess.
Deafblindness is one of the most isolating disabilities affecting both hearing and vision. Deafblindness is best described as a unique and isolating sensory disability resulting from the combination of both hearing and vision loss which significantly affects communication, socialisation mobility and daily living.
It is no longer acceptable that people who are deafblind find themselves isolated from life and interaction with the world around them. Australia has taken significant steps forward in changing this situation by ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008. However, upholding these rights is largely dependent on having access to adequate specialists and resources in the area of Deafblindness.
When assessing a person who has deafblindness, it is of critical importance that there is adequate access to the right professionals who are trained and aware of the issues faced. The services required to address complex needs of combined hearing and vision loss is essential to maximise deafblind people’s participation into their community. Deafblind Australia takes this stance and strongly support specialist service providers to provide expert recommendations to the inquiry of hearing services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
This official letter presented on behalf of DBA board and the Deafblind community is a critical part of the consultation with the National Disability Insurance Agency. DBA is advising NDIA to consider the evidence based paper that was presented by Senses Australia, and supported by Able Australia. The recommendations reviewed by Deafblind Australia is of high importance and relevant to the NDIA’s inquiry to effectively incorporate the provision of hearing services that pertains to the highly complex needs of the Deafblind population.
DBA’s participation and involvement in the NDIS framework and processes are upheld within our core values to advocate for deafblind people’s rights to access the necessary supports and services. DBA is available to provide future consultations to the NDIA, their NDIS planners and other organisations with providing expert advice that is applicable to
the NDIA’s policies that supports the complex needs of all Deafblind people living in Australia.
DBA would like to express our gratitude to the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Council of Australian Governments on providing this new generation of Disability reforms, the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This Scheme however would benefit if funding opportunities were provided to Deafblind Australia to include the Deafblind consumer voice and their communities along with specialist organisations, Able Australia and Senses Australia. This would be the most efficient and effective way in strengthening the relationship with the deafblind consumers in providing the rights to live their life with freedom, respect and independence.
Yours sincerely