Miss-Delectable
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Three million deaf and blind by 2050: report : thewest.com.au
Almost 300,000 Australians can neither see nor hear, with the number expected to grow to almost three million by 2050, a new report says.
Making Sense, the study for multiple disabilities support group Able Australia, released on Friday, found there were more than 288,000 people who were both deaf and blind.
With almost all aged over 65, Able Australia chief executive Celestine Hare said the group was set to grow “exponentially”, making it an overlooked issue of the ageing population.
Ms Hare said while separate services existed for deaf people and blind people, there was little for those with both impairments and they often remained isolated in their homes, with 80 per cent reporting very severe depression.
“Deaf/blind people in Australia have been understudied, understated and under-supported,” Ms Hare said.
“Unfortunately, while most have the potential to live a full and rewarding life, a lack of access to services and information for them and their carers often prevents it.”
Ms Hare said Able Australia was one of the few groups offering extensive support services to deaf/blind people, helping about 700 people a year.
She said Making Sense was the first such report into the size of the deaf/blind community and showed it was far bigger than anyone had realised.
One deaf/blind woman, Heather Lawson, of Melbourne, said the assistance of an Able Australia carer had helped her to lead a full social life and stay active, including doing pilates classes and going bushwalking.
Born profoundly deaf, Ms Lawson, 50, lost her sight through Ushers syndrome at age 29 and for many years was isolated at home, feeling lonely and depressed until getting a carer.
“It helped my life, made it a lot easier, plus I have had less mental health problems. I became more active...I became busy. So I found going out in the community was very important for me, the same as other people do,” Ms Lawson said.
“When there was just limited hours of support, I’d be sitting at home twiddling my thumbs, it was very lonely, very frustrating.”
Ms Lawson, who is trained to teach groups how to deal with deaf/blind people, can read the internet, talk on the phone in braille and uses public transport with help from conductors and tram drivers.
After being told there were an estimated 288,000 people like her across Australia, she said she was “gob-smacked” and hoped the government would do more to help.
“I want people to please understand deafblind people can do anything ... I don’t want people to pity us. It’s just support we need.”
Able Australia said it would lobby the federal government to fund a four-stage plan, including setting up a national advice hotline, advocacy campaign, support worker training and community services.
Almost 300,000 Australians can neither see nor hear, with the number expected to grow to almost three million by 2050, a new report says.
Making Sense, the study for multiple disabilities support group Able Australia, released on Friday, found there were more than 288,000 people who were both deaf and blind.
With almost all aged over 65, Able Australia chief executive Celestine Hare said the group was set to grow “exponentially”, making it an overlooked issue of the ageing population.
Ms Hare said while separate services existed for deaf people and blind people, there was little for those with both impairments and they often remained isolated in their homes, with 80 per cent reporting very severe depression.
“Deaf/blind people in Australia have been understudied, understated and under-supported,” Ms Hare said.
“Unfortunately, while most have the potential to live a full and rewarding life, a lack of access to services and information for them and their carers often prevents it.”
Ms Hare said Able Australia was one of the few groups offering extensive support services to deaf/blind people, helping about 700 people a year.
She said Making Sense was the first such report into the size of the deaf/blind community and showed it was far bigger than anyone had realised.
One deaf/blind woman, Heather Lawson, of Melbourne, said the assistance of an Able Australia carer had helped her to lead a full social life and stay active, including doing pilates classes and going bushwalking.
Born profoundly deaf, Ms Lawson, 50, lost her sight through Ushers syndrome at age 29 and for many years was isolated at home, feeling lonely and depressed until getting a carer.
“It helped my life, made it a lot easier, plus I have had less mental health problems. I became more active...I became busy. So I found going out in the community was very important for me, the same as other people do,” Ms Lawson said.
“When there was just limited hours of support, I’d be sitting at home twiddling my thumbs, it was very lonely, very frustrating.”
Ms Lawson, who is trained to teach groups how to deal with deaf/blind people, can read the internet, talk on the phone in braille and uses public transport with help from conductors and tram drivers.
After being told there were an estimated 288,000 people like her across Australia, she said she was “gob-smacked” and hoped the government would do more to help.
“I want people to please understand deafblind people can do anything ... I don’t want people to pity us. It’s just support we need.”
Able Australia said it would lobby the federal government to fund a four-stage plan, including setting up a national advice hotline, advocacy campaign, support worker training and community services.