About Sense International

Sense International is the only international non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting people with deafblindness and their families around the world.

Sense International’s work began in 1994 with the aim of sharing the knowledge and expertise of our parent organisation, Sense UK. Since this time, we have set-up locally-registered organisations in India, Kenya, Peru, Romania, Tanzania and Uganda.

We have also established programmes of work in partnership with national organisations in Bangladesh and Nepal.

Partnerships

We collaborate with local, national and international partners to deliver tailored support and technical expertise where it is needed. We work alongside people with deafblindness and their families, as well as teachers, health professionals, and governments. Find out more about how we work in partnership with others.

Our impact last year

Find out more about our impact

Early Intervention 60,000 children

around the world were screened for sight and hearing impairments last year.

Inclusive education 7,939 children

with deafblindness received specialist educational support at home or in school last year.

Deafblindness training 9000 +

Teachers, health workers, professionals and decision-makers were trained on deafblindness last year.

Key advocacy moments

1994

Akhil and Richard sit at a table talking

Set up our work in India

Romania and Peru set up in 1999, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in 2003, Bangladesh in 2008 and Nepal in 2017.

1999

First accredited teacher training programme for deafblindness in India building understanding on how to support children with deafblindness to grow and learn.

2005

Pioneering programme in Romania to identify children with deafblindness as early as possible through sensory screening in maternity wards and specialised early intervention centres supporting those families.

2007

A group of young people standing in a forest. Romanian Government recognised deafblindness as a distinct disability categorising it as one of the most ‘severe’ disabilities, for which support should be made available. The Peru and Tanzanian governments followed in 2010, Bangladesh 2013, Nepal 2016, India 2017, Kenya (2018), Uganda (2020).