Blog post by Francisco Javier Trigueros Molina, President of the European Deafblind Union.
Deafblindness is a unique and complex disability that involves a severe loss of both vision and hearing. Unfortunately, in Spain, it remains a little-known reality and, more seriously, one that is widely misunderstood by both institutions and society as a whole.
Public administrations often make the serious mistake of categorising people with deafblindness under either the deaf or the blind communities, without recognising that this dual sensory impairment creates a range of specific needs that cannot be properly addressed through resources designed for those other disabilities. For example, if a deafblind person uses sign language, they are mistakenly associated with the deaf community without considering that, since they cannot see, visual communication is also a barrier. Similarly, if they need braille or adapted technologies, they are classified under the blind community, when in fact the lack of hearing can hinder access to audio information or the independent use of certain tools.
In reality, deafblindness requires a specialised approach. Communication, mobility, access to information, and participation in social and cultural life must all be addressed in an integrated and tailored way that considers this dual sensory limitation.
At FASOCIDE, the Spanish National Federation of Deafblind People’s Associations, we have been working tirelessly for more than 30 years to gain proper recognition and support for our reality. However, progress remains painfully slow. Everyday tasks require constant accompaniment, and bureaucracy becomes a particularly tough barrier for those who cannot access information directly. In addition, ongoing political turnover forces us to repeatedly restart the process of raising awareness and engaging with public authorities, having to explain time and again the specific characteristics of our disability.
Despite these obstacles, we have made significant strides. We’ve promoted legislative reforms, contributed to the development of laws, and maintained dialogue with institutions. Yet these legal and regulatory advances have not yet translated into tangible improvements in the daily lives of people with deafblindness.
It is essential to understand that deafblindness is not simply the sum of two disabilities, but a distinct condition that requires a specialised and tailored response. Only then can we ensure the full exercise of our rights and true inclusion in society. Visibility, sustained political commitment, and institutional recognition of our uniqueness are key to making sure we are no longer rendered invisible.
Only our own deafblind-led advocacy movement can reach and support people with emerging deafblindness, or those who may not yet have accepted their condition—ensuring they feel recognised, protected, and have access to the resources they need. Sadly, large organisations representing deaf or blind individuals are now attempting to overshadow our movement and take over services they have never historically developed or delivered. For over 30 years, it has been our own deafblind community that has created, managed, and sustained these essential support systems in response to a real and persistent need that continues to be voiced directly by the people affected.
Among these vital services is the guide-interpreter and communication mediator, whose role goes far beyond ensuring accessibility. Their work must be rooted in human connection, delivered with sensitivity and understanding, and received by individuals who often feel isolated, misunderstood, or lost in environments that fail to meet their needs.
Only the deafblind-led advocacy movement—not any other—should define our autonomy and shape the characteristics and standards of the professional services we rely on. This is the only way we can participate in society on an equal footing with others.
The challenge is great but the need for justice, dignity, and equality for people with deafblindness is even greater.