Imagine not being able to see and not being able to hear - how would you communicate with your family? How would you ask for food or water? How would you get around? Deafblindness is an incredibly isolating disability, however, with the right training and support, all these things are perfectly possible. Many deafblind people are able to live on their own, work to support themselves and live very active lives.
Often deafblind children in developing countries are wrongly diagnosed as mentally handicapped and put into long stay institutions or left in isolation at home. They are rejected by their families and communities. That's why Sense International exists - to work with local organisations to provide help to deafblind children and adults and their families.
Sense International is the only charity working exclusively with deafblind people in developing countries. Our vision is of a world in which all deafblind people can be full and active members of society.
Sense International currently works to support deafblind people in India, Latin America, East Africa and Romania.
History of Sense International
Sense International was established in 1994 as the international arm of Sense UK, the world's largest organisation for deafblind people, in response to the huge demand for services that we were receiving from overseas countries. Sense UK was established in 1955 as a support group for parents of children with congenital rubella syndrome and over the past fifty years has grown to be one of the largest charities supporting people who are deafblind.
In 1999, Sense International became an independent charity in recognition of the different approaches required to working internationally.
What does Sense International do?
Sense International's aim is to ensure that all deafblind people have access to advice, opportunities and support that will enable them to exercise their right to be full and active members of society. We do this by working in partnership with governments, voluntary organisations and their communities to support the establishment and development of overall programmes that will sustain the services and activities required by deafblind people.
Sense International believes all people have rights, are entitled to dignity and respect and should be valued. We actively promote:
- The right to a good quality of life and services to meet individual needs;
- Opportunities which promote learning, self-determination, choice and fulfilment;
- Equal access to services, equal opportunities for employment and involvement;
- Empowerment, e.g. through access to information and participation in decision making;
For more information about Charity Treks in association with Sense International, please see the BackAtBasecamp Event & Trek Calendar, or visit the Sense International Event website.
