About Deafblindness

A person is considered deafblind when they have a total or partial loss of vision and hearing. Multisensory disabilities occur when visual and auditory deficits are compounded by other impairments (motor, intellectual, neurological damage, organic pathologies, etc.). These disabilities can cause severe limitations in communications, personal autonomy and learning, as well as serious difficulties in both interpersonal relationships and perceptions of the surrounding environment.

Deafblindness can be congenital or acquired. The causes vary, and include premature birth, sensory loss with age, or rare syndromes like Usher and CHARGE, which compound severe medical and developmental issues with loss of vision and hearing.

In Italy, a study by ISTAT and the Lega del Filo d’Oro estimates that 100,000 people over 15 have severe sensory and multiple impairments in vision and hearing(0.2% of the population). Additionally, 262,000 people (0.5% of the population) have severe sensory impairments in vision and hearing, along with motor limitations. The total affected population is estimated at 362,000, but this may be higher due to factors like minors under 15 not being included in the ISTAT survey and people who have an intellectual disability in addition to sensory impairment.