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27 June is International Day of Deafblind People
Updated : 27/06/2025
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution A/RES/79/294, proclaiming 27 June as the International Day of Deafblindness. This day commemorates the birth of renowned author Helen Keller (1880-1968), one of the most emblematic figures of the deafblind community.
This resolution reinforced the idea that this condition should be seen as unique and particular, since its commitments are cumulative.
Deafblindness is an inclusive term that recognizes that the deafblind person has different levels of disability. It is a combination of visual and hearing impairment making it difficult for the affected senses to compensate each other and therefore presents unique challenges, barriers and specific support requirements for inclusion, different from people who are only deaf or blind.
There are also people who are born deaf and later lose their sight. In this case, if Portuguese Sign Language (LGP) is your mother tongue, there is a natural tendency to maintain this communication. However, it adapts to the way they receive information. It can be through tactile communication, or in conversations with two, face to face, in the visual field of the deafblind person, in a well-lit place.
The Gestural Languages can be of Tactile use (Tactile LG), and are a common means of communication and used by deafblind people. It is based on a Sign Language or other manual communication system. It is the most common method to ensure greater accessibility for deafblind people.
O António Aurélio da Costa Ferreira Education and Development Centre, Casa Pia de Lisboa, located in Alvalade, was the first in the country dedicated to the education and rehabilitation of deafblind children, young people and adults, possessing the indispensable techniques for improving the quality of life, access to information, guidance and mobility, control of the environment and, most importantly, communication.