Celebrating the Global Deafblindness Resource Hub: Our launches across the world 

2 September 2025

Earlier this year, Sense International launched the Global Deafblindness Resource Hub, a first-of-its-kind platform dedicated to providing information and resources for people with deafblindness. It was a major collaborative effort between Sense International’s global teams, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, and people we work with across the world, creating a platform which faithfully represents and includes people with deafblindness in the eight countries we work in and beyond. 

An international launch event in collaboration with Google took place in February 2025, and global teams have since celebrated with events in the communities they work with, bringing together people with deafblindness, civil society and government officials to mark this momentous occasion and foster relationships for greater collaboration in future. Many chose to launch in line with Helen Keller Day (27th June), in honour of the author and activist’s legacy of championing the rights of people with deafblindness.  

Read how each of our country teams celebrated the occasion 

A huge crowd of people wearing formal clothing fill an event space. They are smiling at the camera and making a "horned" hand sign which means "I love you" in American Sign Language
Participants at the Sense International Peru launch sign “I love you”

Peru 

Sense International Peru held a launch event for the Hub in partnership with the Catholic University Sedes Sapientiae. It was sponsored by the National Council for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, and attended by government authorities, academics, and civil society representatives. After a presentation on the Hub, many institutions agreed to link virtual resources and exchange resources and materials to be shared. 

The event was linked with the launch of the Second Essay Contest on Deafblindness, which encouraged students of Peruvian universities to undertake research into disability and deafblindness.  

A huge crowd of teachers and teenage students stand in line in a classroom. They are holding up colourful sensory paintings they have created,
One of the schools involved in Sense International Romania’s “The Wonder Within” project shows off their artwork

Romania 

The theme of Sense International Romania’s launch was “The Miracle of Us”, which the team celebrated in 20 schools across the country, with over 1,000 children, teachers, and parents taking part in events designed to foster engagement with the senses. 

Students learned about the life of Helen Keller and took part in sensory play, music, art, and sporting activities intended to support integration, inclusion and awareness through play. Working in collaboration with teachers, the team also created a new magazine linked to the Hub, ‘The Wonder Within’, which gives educators, students and parents practical resources and a platform to share experiences of deafblindness, building a national community. 

A large crowd of people, many of whom are wearing teal Sense International Uganda t shirts, gather together in position for a photo, in front of a wall featuring the Sense International logo
The team and their panel speakers at Sense International Uganda’s official launch event

Uganda 

The Sense International Uganda team raised the profile of the Hub through appearances across several platforms, including discussions on radio and television talk shows around the function of the Hub and the importance of digital inclusion, alongside officials from the Ministry of Health. At the official launch event there were speeches from board members as well as guest of honour the Hon. Asamo Hellen Grace – State Minister for Persons with Disabilities , calling for further collaboration and commitment to championing the rights of persons with disabilities.  

In the Kalaki District the team also hosted free health screening, therapy services, and community sensitisation sessions at a local health centre to emphasise the open and inclusive nature of the Hub and the support it can offer communities.  

A group of people wearing formal shirts and suits sit at a white cloth table for a press conference, in front of a sign for Sense International Tanzania
The Sense International Tanzania launch panel, fronted by Miss Zuhara Yunus – Deputy Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office

Tanzania 

Sense International Tanzania hosted a launch event in Dodoma with attendance from persons with disabilities and caregivers, community support team members, government officials, NGOs and OPD members.  

Miss. Zuhura Yunus – Deputy Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office attended on behalf of Hon. Ridhiwani Kikwete – Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office (Labor, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability), opening the event with a speech commending the team’s work on the Hub and calling on the government to create inclusive and enabling environments for people with disabilities. This was followed by a demonstration of the Hub and an open discussion and Q&A session. 

A group of people wearing Sense International India t shirts stand on a white stage decorated with orange and purple balloons and company logos. They are unveiling a large certificate which reads 'The Global Deafblindness Resource Hub'
Sense International India unveil the Global Deafblindness Resource Hub during the Messengers On Cycles event

India 

Sense International India launched the Hub during the Messengers On Cycles event, an annual cyclathon in honour of Helen Keller Day which brings awareness of deafblindness to local the community. Over 1,000 people attended the event, cycling and walking in celebration of the spirit of people with deafblindness, with the Hub unveiled on the main stage during its flag off and promoted during press activity for the event.  

The team also hosted a virtual launch via Zoom, bringing together educators, advocates, government representatives and sector leaders, with a live demo of the Hub and a panel discussion on the importance of accessible information.  

Five people in formal Nepali dress sit in front of a screen featuring images from the Global Deafblindness Resource Hub whilst another man gives a speech at a podium
Panel speakers at one of Nepal’s local launch events in Kathmandu

Nepal 

In Nepal, the Hub was launched officially at the Deafblind International Regional Conference Asia 2025, which was attended by over 300 national and international delegates. 

Local launches took place in all four project districts, engaging people with  deafblindness and their families, OPDs, and government stakeholders to raise  awareness and promote active use of the Hub. Sessions featured interactive discussions between deafblind youth groups and government representatives. Launches were hosted by the Minister for Education, Science, and Technology, Head of the Social Development Department, and Head of the Education and Coordination Unit respectively, representing the government’s strong commitment to the project. 

Five men stand behind a long table covered in flowers. One is shaking the hand of a woman wearing a bright yellow sari.
Speakers from the keynote presentation ‘Opening the Path to Inclusion’ in Bangladesh

Bangladesh 

The launch of the Hub in Bangladesh celebrated the theme ‘Cultivating leadership: Together we grow’, with representation from persons with disabilities, carers, community groups and OPDs, local and international NGOs and government representatives. 

The event featured a keynote presentation, ‘Opening the Path to Inclusion’, underscoring the importance of accessible knowledge and inclusive digital environments, and calling for a united global effort to advance rights, recognition, and resources for individuals with deafblindness. There was also a panel discussion centring the transformative role of digital platforms in fostering inclusion; a presentation on the life and legacy of deafblind author and activist Helen Keller, and gallery exhibition showcasing powerful portraits of persons with disabilities, celebrating resilience, inclusion, and the human spirit. 

The success of the global events in attracting support and commitment from key stakeholders in government and international organisation is testament for our teams’ dedication to advancing the rights and provisions of people with deafblindness. These events centred the communities and people we work with, creating a platform for voices to be heard and amplified and encouraging greater collaboration with partner organisations in the future. We look forward to seeing the Global Deafblindness Resource Hub continue to develop, and to celebrating Sense International Kenya’s local launch later in the year.