Early identification

Deafblind children need appropriate care and education as early a possible in their lives, but first they must be identified as deafblind so that parents and professionals can get them the help they need.

But the lack of available services, the stigma of disability and the wide geographical spread of communities in the East Africa make identification extremely challenging.

Sense International East Africa has supported the first early identification projects, which are helping to bring deafblind people out of the shadows and into full and active lives.

We have identified 600 deafblind children since we started in 2003 by supporting the efforts of our partners, including the National Association of Deafblind People in Uganda; government social workers in the Kwala district of Kenya; and the Association of Parents of Deafblind People in Tanzania.