About Deafblindness
95% of everything we learn is perceived through sight and hearing
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 2015, Lega del Filo d’Oro sponsored Italy’s first comprehensive census of people affected by problems related to both vision and hearing. According to the study, 189,000 people – or about .03% of the Italian population – are affected by problems related to vision and hearing. This is much higher than previous estimates of 3,000 to 11,000 people.
64.8% are women
57% are confined to their homes
66.7% have difficulty accessing employment
10,000+ children with visual or hearing impairments have other severe disabilities
More than 10,000 children with visual or hearing deficits have other severe disabilities.
motor disabilities
behavioral problems and mental illness
cognitive impairment
It is difficult to imagine how the world appears to a deafblind person. They can feel isolated and unreachable, closed off in an impenetrable world. That’s where Lega del Filo d’Oro comes in. We provide rehabilitative and educational services for people affected by deafblindness and multisensory disabilities.
"Help us reach more people in need."
About Us
Lega del Filo d’Oro has dedicated over 55 years to improving the lives of those who do not see and do not hear. We are committed to the people we work with and their families: deafblind people and those who have other forms of severe physical and learning disabilities.
Contact
Lega del Filo d’Oro Foundation
Osimo headquarters:
Via Linguetta, 3
60027 Osimo (AN)
Italy