Funding Programme: Healthy Futures

Many young people with dual sensory impairment do not receive support tailored to their individual needs at the time of diagnosis.  This can often lead to social isolation and a loss of independence. As a result, mental distress is estimated to be three times more common among people with deafblindness than within the general adult population. 

Deafblind Scotland’s Raising Expectations project provides peer coaching for young people with dual sensory impairment. The project focuses on helping young deafblind adults to develop practical coping strategies and on encouraging them to work towards their personal ambitions and aspirations.  

As part of the project, Deafblind Scotland is also developing a coping toolkit to help young people come to terms with the co-morbidity of deafness and blindness and to improve understanding of their needs among family members, friends and the wider community.

“Raising young people’s expectations of what they can achieve in their daily lives through the example and encouragement of peers who have walked in the same shoes will inspire dual sensory impaired young adults to make positive and informed choices about their future.”  John Whitfield, Participation Manager, Deafblind Scotland.