Blog post by the European Deafblind Network (EDbN).
After four years of dedicated work, the European Deafblind Network (EDbN), through its delegation in Catalonia (APSOCECAT), successfully concluded the ICF Core Set for Deafblindness project in October 2024. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the global deafblind community.
The project, which began in 2020, aimed to develop a standardised set of codes within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework of the World Health Organization (WHO), specifically tailored to deafblindness. Through multiple international focus groups, the project identified the key aspects of functioning and disability unique to people with combined vision and hearing loss.
The process culminated in a Consensus Conference, held on October 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2024, in Salou, near Barcelona (Spain), with the participation of 27 international experts in deafblindness. These professionals — researchers, clinicians, practitioners, and individuals with deafblindness — worked collaboratively to agree on the final ICF codes that will be submitted to the WHO.
The primary goal of the three-day conference was to establish a universally applicable and internationally recognised classification that can support early diagnosis, improve service provision, and promote the recognition of deafblindness as a unique disability within healthcare systems.
The event critically reviewed scientific evidence, clinical experience, and personal testimonies to ensure that the Core Set truly reflects the lived experience and needs of people with deafblindness. This consensus represents a major step towards improving global understanding and service development for this population.
On October 9th, the final day of the conference, EDbN and APSOCECAT organized an institutional event to publicly present the results and launch the dissemination phase of the project.
The opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Ricard López, President of APSOCECAT and Co-organiser of the project, who explained the origins of the initiative and the rationale for applying the WHO’s ICF framework to deafblindness.
Dr. Walter Wittich, Scientific Leader of the project and principal researcher from Canada, presented the methodology and phases of the study, highlighting the challenges faced and overcome throughout the project’s development.
Mr. Mirko Bahur, President of Deafblind International, emphasized the importance of defining clear indicators for deafblindness and the future applications of such a framework in clinical and policy settings.
Ms. Hellen Shakele, representing families from Zambia who participated in the focus groups, shared her personal experience and underlined the value of international collaboration and inclusion.
Institutional support and participation
The institutional event also included the presence of several key political figures from Catalonia involved in disability policy.
These included Ms. M. Gemma Pifarré (Head of Accessibility at the Government of Catalonia), Mr. Josep Muñoz Luque (Director of Social Services at the Barcelona Provincial Council), and Mr. Raül Serra (Coordinator of Health and Participation at the Government of Catalonia). They expressed their appreciation for the project and stressed the relevance of standardized codes to ensure equitable care for all individuals with deafblindness.
Ms. Raquel Gil Eiroá, Councillor for the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona, also attended the event and expressed pride in seeing a local organization lead such a far-reaching international initiative.
Organisation and acknowledgements
The overall coordination of the conference content was led by Mr. Ricard López (EDbN and APSOCECAT), Dr. Walter Wittich (Canada), and Dr. Sarah Granberg (Switzerland), an expert in international classification systems.
The logistical organisation was carried out by the APSOCECAT team. Their work was supported by numerous professionals, including occupational therapists, interveners, interpreters, and healthcare workers, whose diverse contributions enriched the final discussions. As project coordinator Daniela Anze noted, “Their international experience added a practical dimension to the debates.”
EDbN also valued the attendance of policymakers involved in global health strategies for sensory disabilities, whose insights will help translate the ICF Core Set into practical implementation.
The conference marked the formal definition of key indicators that determine whether a person meets the criteria for deafblindness. The next step is to submit these codes to the WHO for official validation and begin disseminating the results globally.
This project represents a vital tool to support the development, autonomy, and inclusion of people with deafblindness around the world.
More about the European Deafblind Network
EDbN is a nonprofit entity whose scope is deafblindness, a disability resulting from the combination of sight and hearing loss that affects a person’s ability to communicate, access information and mobility.