Supporting families

Disabled people in developing countries make up the world's poorest population. Even in countries where poverty is decreasing, disabled people and their families are still at the bottom of the economic ladder.

Deafblind people are the most marginalised of all — they and their families face huge challenges in their daily lives, not to mention in trying to pull themselves out of poverty.

With little or no social welfare and no specialised health care, the pressure and stigma of having a child who is both deaf and blind is often too much to bear for some poor families.

A lifeline of hope

Sense International's services bring reassurance to families of deafblind children – knowledge that they are not alone, and hope for a positive, independent future for their child. (Read Kevin's story.)

Better communication

By teaching vital communication skills to parents and families, we offer them the chance of a loving, reciprocal relationship with their deafblind child. (Read Denisa's story.)

Building parent networks

We also bring together parents and families of deafblind children to create parent networks. This enables families to support each other, and establishes a local voice for campaigning for services and support for deafblind people. (For example, read about Parents' Associations in Bolivia, Colombia and Brazil.)