Deafblind Scotland share information on their Touching Lives project on the first day of Generations Working Together International Conference 2022.

1. Dare to Dream a
Manifesto

2. Dare to Dream Project
 The Dare to Dream project established a group of deafblind
ambassadors who work together as peers, using their lived
experience to ensure deafblind people’s experiences and views are
heard.
 This group will create and provide training on human rights and
empowerment for deafblind and visually impaired people of all ages.
 They will also create a rights-based policy toolkit and training course
to enable agencies to better protect/deliver for people with sensory
impairment’s rights.
 Ensuring they have the opportunities participate in public life and
have a tangible influence on the decisions that affect them.

3. Dare to Dream a Manifesto
 Dare to Dream Lived Experience Ambassadors gathered
to discuss their dreams, hopes and rights for their
group/community/family etc. This peer led group then
consulted with the wider deafblind population
 It was important to the ambassadors that they captured
views from all generations and they tailored the
accessibility of the consultation to reflect this, in-
person/online/phone/paper/alternative formats.
 The consultation was analysed and the results created
the Manifesto of Deafblind People’s Rights.
 This manifesto has formed the basis of DBS's 5 year
strategy and policy influencing plan.

4. Manifesto Consultation Q1
Thinking about your past experiences as a
deafblind person, what barriers did you
face?
 Poor levels of awareness amongst the public,
friends and family.
 Poor Accessibility in sectors, services and
shops.
 Accessible formats
 Public transport

5. Manifesto Consultation Q2
What are your dreams and top priorities for
the future of deafblind people in Scotland?
 Transitions – More help after diagnosis
 Being treated as an equal
 To be involved in my community
 Right to Inclusive communication

6. Manifesto of Deafblind
People’s Rights
1. It is the right of deafblind people to be as a unique community and
we should be included in all aspects of society.
2. We expect the Scottish Government, public and private sectors, and
the wider community to be deafblind aware.
3. It is the right of deafblind people to have equal access to influence
local and national policy and we should be fully consulted
throughout.
4. It is our right to have access to communication information, travel
and equipment that is fully accessible and is financially inclusive.
5. It is every deafblind person’s right to accessible support across
multiple services in particular during diagnosis, transitions and major
life events.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoXFZCEu1rc

7. Touching Lives
Across the
Generations

8. Touching Lives Take 2
Touching Lives is an innovative project, where deafblind people deliver training to increase
awareness of how to recognise and support dual sensory impairment, encouraging inclusive
communities and partnership working.
 Specialist training delivered by a Deafblind individual.
 Support for the elderly in ways to address the challenges of sensory impairment.
 Upskilling staff with methods to support sensory impaired individuals.
 Partnership working and specialist advice from Deafblind Scotland.
 Understanding how to guide a deafblind individual.
 Introduction into how to communicate to a deafblind person using Deafblind Manual
 A deafblind awareness toolkit.

9. The Definition of
Deafblindness
 “a distinct disability arising from a dual
sensory loss of a severity that makes it
hard for the impaired senses to
compensate for each other.”

10. Sharing experiences across the
generations
 When/How did it happen?
 Who was there to support you?
 What was is like to be diagnosed?
 What story/experience would you share with
those at the start of their deafblindness journey,
or what advice would you ask for from the older
generation of deafblind people?

11. What hazards or difficulties do
you see?
In the video you will see a deafblind
individual approaching a bridge. Can you
spot the potential hazards or difficulties?

12. What hazards or difficulties do
you see?
In the video you will see a deafblind
individual walking through a train station.
Can you spot the potential hazards or
difficulties?

13. Guide / Communicator
Deafblind Scotland’s Guide/Communicator service is available across Scotland.
The service is tailored to meet an individual’s needs. It changes lives by
enabling people to remain involved in their own community by:
Guide/Communicators are highly skilled individuals who work along side our
deafblind members. They are trained to relay information, facilitate
communication with others and ensure they are able to get about safely. They
are neutral, alert and give information, not advice, without prior selection or
processing.
The following videos will demonstrate how a Guide/Communicator helps
deafblind people in regular settings.