Deafblind people lose out on care

Local authorities are leaving people with sensory impairments
out of community care plans, often because they do not know they
exist.

Of 101 local authorities surveyed in England and Wales, less
than half knew the number of deafblind people in their area, says a
report from the Council for the Advancement of Communication with
Deaf People.

‘Some deafblind people are falling through the gaps in the
system due to financial restrictions, community care planning,
absence of local pressure groups and because service providers are
not aware of their existence,’ it says.

Up to 20 per cent of local authorities did not offer basic
rehabilitation and social work support services. Only 30 per cent
of authorities offered deafblind awareness training to staff
working with deafblind people.

It must be seen as a disability in its own right, says the
report.

n Insight from 0191 374 3607.