Deafblind Enablement Ltd

07/06/2026

Message below from our friend Emma Boswell - Congratulations and well done! Creating deafblind awareness is so important, keep up all the great work, Debbie :-)

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, individuals with Usher syndrome, and their families.

Through a range of chapters, the book explores:

• 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 and information.

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

If you would like to learn more about the book or purchase a copy, please visit:

https://livedplacespublishing.com/book/isbn/9781917566124

I would be grateful if you could share this information with colleagues, networks, and anyone who may have an interest in Usher syndrome, deafblindness, or sensory impairment.

Please feel free to 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

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

14/05/2026

Come and join us to make a difference to the lives of deafblind people nationally with qualified Interpreter Guides 😁

Signature Visual Frame Hands On qualification starts 4th June 2026 - places available, enrol now.

[email protected] or 01733 686969 option 3.

Coming Up: Visual Frame Hands On qualification (the only course nationally) Starts 4th June, come and join the theory and practical exercises to learn in-depth knowledge and skills, with Signature assessments. Level 3 Certificate in Working Effectively with Visual Frame Hands On (VFHO301): 4, 5, 25,...

08/05/2026

Happy Deaf Awareness Week...
Enjoy learning to sign and communicate to enhance and become inclusive for all Deaf and Deafblind people.
Well done Remark 👏

07/05/2026

Great work DBE's Training Team - congratulations 👏 Courtney for achieving Signature Deaf Level 2 Communicator-Guide qualification in 6 weeks!

DBE is going from strength to strength, more news about our services in the near future.

DBE's short breaks, day trips, developing skills, Craft clubs and Braille groups, Bowling nights and more... Come and join our DBE Deafblind Community... the only national organisation solely dedicated to supporting deafblind people to enhance lives and create a unique community.

Contact: 01733 686969 for more information.

24/04/2026

When an experienced DBE Communicator-Guide sends you a song dedicated to you, you have to smile 😃..
Made my 43 years supporting deafblind people worthwhile!
A huge 👏 😍 🙌 thank you ❤️

Song lyrics:
Bunker down now Debbie, get in the zone,
Put down the never-ending working phone.
Deaf and blind races, footprints in the sand,
You're guiding hearts with a steady hand.

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, the color blue, your favorite hue,
Reflects the calm and peace in everything you do.
A gentle touch, a caring heart,
In every garden party, you're the star.

[Chorus]
Let's elevate, celebrate,
In this electronic dreamscape.
Debbie James, you light the way,
In every word and sign you say.
From bowling skills to a soothing head massage,
We'll toast to you, feel free to barrage.

[Verse 2]
Deaf blind bowling, you made it real,
Speaking through the hands, is the ultimate drill.
Time to turn the page to something new,
We'll cherish every moment being your crew.

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, the color blue, your favorite hue,
Reflects the calm and peace in everything you do.
A gentle touch, a caring heart,
In every garden party, you're the star.

[Chorus]
Let's elevate, celebrate,
In this electronic dreamscape.
Debbie James, you light the way,
In every word and sign you say.
From bowling skills to a soothing head massage,
We'll toast to you, feel free to barrage.

[Bridge]
I'll never not think of you when I need a shampoo,
You've shown the world a remarkable view.
The inspiration lies within your hands,
You've made us all proud fans.

[Chorus]
Let's elevate, celebrate,
In this electronic dreamscape.
Debbie James, you light the way,
In every word and sign you say.
From bowling skills to a soothing head massage,
We'll toast to you, feel free to barrage.

Listen to "Blue Horizons: Celebrating Debbie" - a personalized song created especially for Debbie James. Create your own personalized song at GiftSong.

22/04/2026

NEW DATES: Develop your skills in supporting deafblind people using Deafblind Manual, Visual Frame and Hands On.

Signature Deaf
Level 3 Certificate in Working Effectively with Deafblind Manual (DM301)
20, 21, 27, 28 August and 10 September 2026

Level 3 Certificate in Working Effectively with Visual Frame Hands On (VFHO301): 4, 5, 25, 26 June and 2 July 2026

Level 3 Modifying Language for Deaf and Deafblind People (MOD301): 1 and 16 July 2026

Become a specialist - these courses are the only available nationally recognised course. Join DBE's team of Interpreter Guides supporting the most complex deafblind people in a variety of settings. Modules can be obtain individually.
https://deafblind-enablement.co.uk/training


British Deaf News

22/04/2026

Come and join the fun and become a Qualified Level 3 Specialist Assessor, build your knowledge, skills and understanding of how to assess deafblind people with many practical exercises, developing your insight into how deafblind people access the world around them and what makes the biggest differences to enable them to live a quality life.

You may wish to learn more about the difference in supporting Congenital deafblind adults or how to support a deafblind person when they are using a mobility aid with communication issues - these qualifications are specifically related to developing your skills to empower and enable deafblind people. Individual modules are offered to cater to meet your needs.

Signature Level 3 RQF - Evaluating the Needs of Deafblind Adults: Specialist Assessor’s qualification - Care Act 2014
(Level 2 DBG is a prerequisite)
Location: Peterborough HQ

DK301 – Understanding Congenital Deafblindness using a person-centred approach: 18 and 29 June 2026

DK302 – Insights into Mobility and Implications for Communication with Deafblind Individuals: 30 June and 9 July 2026

Specialist Assessment Training: 10 July 2026
(Completion of DK301/DK302 is a prerequisite)

Come and join the National Team of Specialist Assessor's - our national registers will be available soon to confirm your qualifications.
Refresher training available, please contact us for more information.
[email protected] or phone 01733 686969
https://deafblind-enablement.co.uk/services/specialist-assessment

15/04/2026

NEW TRAINING DATES:
Signature Level 2 Communication and Guiding with Deafblind People

This course is our foundation level course and sets the standard for any professional supporting Deafblind People, meeting legal requirements set out in the Care Act 2014 🌟

This training course provides learners with a truly immersive learning experience and an in-depth understanding on the challenges that Deafblind people face.

It does this by combining theory exercises, simulation exercises (using ear defenders, blindfold and simspecs with various eye conditions), practical exercises, an equipment demonstration and with a visit from a Deafblind person to provide their own perspective, spreading awareness and giving learners vital safe guiding and communication practice.

Location: Peterborough HQ
11, 12, 18, 19, 20 May 2026
15, 16, 22, 23, 24 June 2026
20, 21, 27, 28, 29 July 2026
17, 18, 24, 25, 26 August 2026
7, 8, 14, 15, 16 September 2026

Contact DBE's Training team: •Email [email protected]
•Website

Our team is always happy to help

02/04/2026

Deafblind Enablement (DBE) is going from strength to strength, we are delighted to introduce our two new Specialist Deafblind Workers for the North East who visited us today at DBE's Head Office in Peterborough for specialist training.

Claire Cook and Donna McLaughlin have shown great commitment and dedication working for us as fully qualified Communicator-Guides and are now both looking forward to the exciting times ahead in their new posts.

- Anyone who has a sight and hearing loss and requires specialist support to attend hospital appointments or Communicator-Guide support services or
- If you wish to join our growing NE Communicator-Guide team or Deafblind Interpreter Guides

Please contact us on 01733 686969 option 8 (Newcastle region) or email [email protected] or [email protected]

- Specialist Deafblind Signature Deaf qualifications for Communicator-Guides, Interpreter Guides for Deafblind People are available; Please contact [email protected] or
01733 68969 option 4 (training)

29/03/2026

Our beloved Alberta's funeral is tomorrow, 30th March 2026 at 10am at Peterborough Crematorium.

Alberta's wishes are for everyone to wear colourful clothes - no green.

Dave has arranged a private wake afterwards, by invitation only.

Invitations have now been sent out by him. Please respect Dave's wishes.

Donations: https://albertarochester.muchloved.com/