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Deafblind UK expands operations in Northern Ireland to further reduce isolation and enhance the lives of older deafblind people

Deafblind UK expands operations in Northern Ireland to further reduce isolation and enhance the... Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for services catering for older deafblind people in Northern Ireland (NI) and how Deafblind UK is responding, supported by funding from the Big Lottery Fund. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is designed to provide an overview of deafblindness in NI. Supported by research and case studies, it explains the current situation, highlights the issues of this disability, the unique response required and how Deafblind UK's Connections NI project is meeting these needs. Findings – Older deafblind people are a highly vulnerable group yet there was a severe lack of services in the region catering for their specific needs. Based on work elsewhere in the UK and initial feedback, Deafblind UK's Connections NI project has been designed to support older deafblind people in the region to give them control over their life choices and retain independence as far as possible. Research limitations/implications – The project was only launched in April 2013 so although results have been achieved by Deafblind UK elsewhere in the country, it could take some time for similar results to be seen in NI, particularly when considering the nature of the work. Practical implications – Deafblind UK will work alongside agencies and in the community to raise awareness of deafblindness, helping to create clearer classification of the disability and associated issues, and deliver more targeted services that reach a higher proportion of older deafblind people in the region. Originality/value – This paper highlights the lack of services for older deafblind people in NI and how Deafblind UK is uniquely meeting these needs. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Working with Older People Emerald Publishing

Deafblind UK expands operations in Northern Ireland to further reduce isolation and enhance the lives of older deafblind people

Becky Lamont
Working with Older People , Volume 17 (4): 6 – Nov 29, 2013
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References (3)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1366-3666
DOI
10.1108/WWOP-09-2013-0023
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for services catering for older deafblind people in Northern Ireland (NI) and how Deafblind UK is responding, supported by funding from the Big Lottery Fund. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is designed to provide an overview of deafblindness in NI. Supported by research and case studies, it explains the current situation, highlights the issues of this disability, the unique response required and how Deafblind UK's Connections NI project is meeting these needs. Findings – Older deafblind people are a highly vulnerable group yet there was a severe lack of services in the region catering for their specific needs. Based on work elsewhere in the UK and initial feedback, Deafblind UK's Connections NI project has been designed to support older deafblind people in the region to give them control over their life choices and retain independence as far as possible. Research limitations/implications – The project was only launched in April 2013 so although results have been achieved by Deafblind UK elsewhere in the country, it could take some time for similar results to be seen in NI, particularly when considering the nature of the work. Practical implications – Deafblind UK will work alongside agencies and in the community to raise awareness of deafblindness, helping to create clearer classification of the disability and associated issues, and deliver more targeted services that reach a higher proportion of older deafblind people in the region. Originality/value – This paper highlights the lack of services for older deafblind people in NI and how Deafblind UK is uniquely meeting these needs.

Journal

Working with Older People – Emerald Publishing

Published: Nov 29, 2013

Keywords: Volunteers; Quality of life; Older people; Loneliness; Befriending; Deafblind

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