Congratulations to Helen, Amy and Darren, who have completed their Signature Level 3 Modifying Language for Deafblind People course. Well done to all three of you — our Deafblind Enablement team were so happy for you.

Modifying Language for Deafblind People teaches how to adapt British Sign Language so that it can be received by someone with sight loss as well as hearing loss — for example by using a visual frame, or by signing hands-on.

There is more studying to come, and then all three will be qualified Interpreter Guides.

Training with us​

We run Signature Level 2 and Level 3 courses at our National Training Centre, including Communicator-Guide, Deafblind Manual, Visual Frame Hands On and Modifying Language.

For course dates and places, email training@deafblind-enablement.co.uk or call 01733 686969, option 3.

Once qualified, you can join the national register for Communicator-Guides, Interpreter Guides and Specialist Assessors at deafblind-specialist-register.co.uk.

Another great games night held here at Deafblind Enablement — so much laughter and fun. It is a real privilege to bring deafblind friends together to enjoy themselves.

We were joined by Phil and Josh, and by our service users from Coventry. Andy cooked a barbecue, and there were plenty of sensory games. Great team work from our Communicator-Guides made the evening inclusive and fun for everyone.

Come and join us​

Come and join us, and feel part of Deafblind Enablement's national deafblind community.

Call 01733 686969 or email admin@deafblind-enablement.co.uk.

Well… what a week Deafblind Enablement had during the first heatwave of the year.

Eastbourne was the destination for this year's annual summer residential trip. As always, service users from Peterborough, Essex and the Midlands enjoyed peer support together, meeting old friends and making new ones.

We all met at Pizza Hut for lunch before travelling on to Eastbourne. The hotel was right on the seafront, with lovely staff. It was hot, but they did everything possible to keep the rooms cool.

Day two: Brighton​

We spent the day in Brighton — ice creams on the pier, and fish and chips for lunch near the beach. Some service users went into the sea for a swim with their Communicator-Guides, while others went shopping.

We headed back to Eastbourne for dinner, drinks and an evening of games. Everyone joined in, complete with giggles and belly laughs.

Day three: Eastbourne​

After a big breakfast, everyone was ready to go again. We visited Eastbourne's pier, swam in the sea, and some went bowling to compete against each other while others enjoyed a shopping spree, before heading home.

Everyone enjoyed the fun, with full inclusion for all — our Communicator-Guides are qualified and experienced, and the team work was excellent. Great memories for everyone.

Roll on the Christmas break in Basingstoke in December!

Deafblind Enablement's bowling night this week extended into a fun motorbike race. Our service users are so adventurous, rising to the challenge of riding a motorbike!

It is a wonderful feeling to realise that the deafblind people we support regularly are the ones I have known for 25 to 30 years, and that we can still enable opportunities for new experiences.

Diane and I met when I was 16 — 43 years ago. Diane taught me so much about deafblindness, and about all the challenges of living with a hidden disability. Our Communicator-Guides are so valuable and experienced. We have had so many laughs over the years, and we hope for many more.

It is such a privilege.

Debbie

Such a wonderful week for Deafblind Enablement.

Two students, Amy and Helen, have completed their Signature Deaf Level 3 Visual Frame Hands On course, passing three assessments. Great work — congratulations to you both!

Courses available​

We run the Visual Frame Hands On course regularly, along with:

• Signature Level 2 Communicator-Guide
• Signature Level 3 Deafblind Manual
• Signature Level 3 Modifying Language

For dates and places, email training@deafblind-enablement.co.uk or call 01733 686969, option 3.

Once qualified, you can join the national register for Communicator-Guides, Interpreter Guides and Specialist Assessors at deafblind-specialist-register.co.uk.

Deafblind Enablement's training team has been very busy this month in Solihull, teaching the Signature Level 2 Communicator-Guide qualification.

We thank Solihull and Coventry City Councils for commissioning us to teach and mentor students to become Specialist Deafblind Assessors, in line with the Care Act 2014.

The Signature Level 2 Communicator-Guide qualification is the first course students take. It helps them understand the four groups of deafblind people, how to support someone effectively, how to signpost, and how to make sure every deafblind person receives a better quality of life.

Good luck to everyone taking their practical Signature assessments. Once this course is complete, Signature Level 3 starts in the autumn.

After qualifying​

Once qualified, students can register on the national professional register for deafblind specialists, as a Communicator-Guide or a Specialist Assessor: deafblind-specialist-register.co.uk.

Come and join us — email training@deafblind-enablement.co.uk.

Thank you so much to Jenny for her lovely video and kind words during Deafblind Awareness Week 2026.

Jenny was born profoundly Deaf and acquired a sight loss later on. She volunteers as one of our valued Deafblind Awareness Officers, helping with the Level 3 qualification in Visual Frame and Hands-on signing, and spreading deafblind awareness in her local community.

Transcript​

My name is Jenny — my sign name is "Cheeky". I am blind because a football hit me in the face. I went to the hospital and they told me I am definitely blind.

DBE are fantastic, perfect, wow! I really enjoy it. The guides are really good, I'm so happy! They have helped me so much. Wow! We have a good laugh! Woohoo! Good, thank you!

Jimmy is one of Deafblind Enablement's valued Deafblind Awareness Officers. For Deafblind Awareness Week, Jimmy tells us about himself to help create awareness.

Transcript​

Hello, my name is Jimmy and I use deafblind manual, fingerspelling and sign language.

How I am deafblind: I was born Deaf and partially sighted. Then, when I was 18 years old, I went blind in my right eye.

Deafblind Enablement's first games night was a great success. There was food with a choice, ice creams, and lots of laughter over a range of sensory games at our Head Office. Service users came from Peterborough and Essex with their dedicated Communicator-Guide teams.

What people told us​

Loved the egg and spoon race!

The hotpot was wonderful, full of vegetables. Loved the newspaper game.

Loved winning the balls over the head game!

Loved the chilli, with veg. Always laughing with trained staff and my friends, who can involve me in the conversation and the games all of the time.

Loved it all!

Our service users asked us to repeat the evening every six weeks, because they enjoyed it so much.

This was great team work by our qualified Communicator-Guides, who gave full control and choice to our service users using a range of different communication methods. We are so proud of them all.

Our friend Emma Boswell has shared some exciting news. Congratulations and well done, Emma! Creating deafblind awareness is so important, and we are delighted to help share this. Her message is below.

Emma's message​

I am delighted to share some exciting news. My new book, Usher Syndrome, About Us, By Us, has now been published.

Usher syndrome is the leading cause of deafblindness, yet awareness and understanding of the condition remain limited. This book aims to provide an accessible and comprehensive resource for professionals, students, people with Usher syndrome, and their families.

The book covers:

• Understanding Usher syndrome and its various types
• Diagnosis and genetics
• The impact of hearing and sight loss across the lifespan
• Daily life and practical considerations
• Personal lived experiences from people with Usher syndrome
• Professional perspectives and insights

What makes this book unique is that it combines professional knowledge with lived experience. The three co-authors all have direct experience of Usher syndrome, bringing authentic voices and real-life perspectives to the subject. With the authors based in both the UK and Australia, the book also includes international perspectives.

I hope this resource will be of value to those working in health, social care, education, sensory services, rehabilitation, counselling, and related fields.

Learn more about the book or buy a copy from Lived Places Publishing

I would be grateful if you could share this with colleagues, networks, and anyone with an interest in Usher syndrome, deafblindness, or sensory impairment. Please do get in touch if you have any questions, or would like to discuss the book or Usher syndrome further.

Thank you for your support.

Kind regards, Emma Boswell Co-author, Usher Syndrome, About Us, By Us BA (Hons), PG Dip. (Deafblind Studies)