Multisensory Impairment / Deafblind

Introduction

Deafblindness is a combination of sight loss and deafness. It affects a child’s ability to communicate, access information, and get around.

This page provides information, advice and resources about deafblind or multi-sensory impairment. You can also visit our web pages on Deafness and Vision Impaired.

Advice and Support

Sensory Needs Service (SNS)

If your child is diagnosed with a multi-sensory impairment (deafblind), the SNS could provide you and your family with specialist help:

• Find out more about the Sensory Needs Service

SNS have also created an Equipment Policy. It outlines information about the funding of equipment:

• View the Sensory Needs Service Equipment Policy

The main NHS website provides extra information and advice about deafblindness:

• Deafblindness | NHS

Additional Help and Services

SNS have collated some useful multisensory impairment websites:

• Sense | For disabled people
• Seashell Trust | Learning Disability Charity
• Usher Kids UK
• Home | SeeAbility

Amaze SENDIASS

Amaze SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) are a local charity. They offer free, independent, and impartial advice for all matters relating to SEND. Contact Amaze SENDIASS by:

• Phone - 01273 772 289
• Email - sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk

Visit the Amaze SENDIASS web page.

East Sussex Local Offer directory of services

You can visit our SEND-specific online directory, hosted on East Sussex 1Space. The directory lists many different services both throughout the county and online. Services cover many topics, including:

• Advice, Guidance and Support Groups
• Activities and Events
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

Visit the East Sussex Local Offer directory.

Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms

We explain some of the terms used on this website on our page, Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms.