Leaving No One Behind: Why International Deafblind Awareness Day Matters

By Mary Maragia – Vice President Deafblind International (DbI)

On 27 June, the world will mark the first officially recognized International Deafblind Awareness Day, a long-overdue and deeply significant moment for millions of people living with deafblindness around the world.

The United Nations’ decision to establish this day as a moment for reflection and action goes beyond mere symbolism; it is a powerful step towards recognizing deafblindness as a distinct disability with its own unique challenges, communication needs, and support requirements. For the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), this recognition aligns directly with our vision of an inclusive world where the rights and dignity of every person with a disability are respected and upheld.

Too often, people with deafblindness are excluded not only from mainstream society but even from disability-related conversations. The dual sensory loss of vision and hearing in varying degrees profoundly affects access to information, interaction and communication, mobility, education, employment, and social inclusion. Yet, services tailored to their needs are still scarce or underdeveloped in many parts of the world.

This day presents an opportunity and a call to action for governments, civil society, donors, and communities to:

• Raise awareness about deafblindness and challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding it,
• Invest in specialized and personalized services such as specialized assistants, consultants and educators, interpreters for deafblind persons, other forms of communication, and accessible assistive technologies.
• Engage people with deafblindness and other forms of lived deafblind experience indecision-making processes that affect their lives, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected.

Importantly, International Deafblind Awareness Day coincides with the birth anniversary of Helen Keller, a pioneering advocate who demonstrated that being deafblind does not limit one’s potential. Her contributions continue to resonate today, reminding us that inclusivity for people with disabilities is not only about accessibility but also about equity, dignity, and human rights.

This recognition by the UN aligns perfectly with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development particularly the commitment to “leave no one behind.” However, that promise can only be realized if we consciously include the voices of the most marginalized individuals within the disability community, particularly those who are deafblind.

This 27 June, let us not just observe a new date on the calendar. Let us recommit to inclusion, to listening, and to acting so that no one is left in silence or darkness.