Estonian Deafblind Union
The Estonian Support Association for Deafblind People began its work in 1994 at the initiative of parents of deafblind children. There was a need to establish an organisation of their own because these parents lacked the skills needed to communicate with, raise, and teach their children, and received no assistance from any state institution. At that time, Estonia had neither information about deafblindness nor expertise in working with deafblind people.
The Estonian Support Association for Deafblind People is a non-profit association that brings together, voluntarily and on equal terms, deafblind people, parents of deafblind children, caregivers of deafblind adults, legal guardians, and supporters.
When establishing the Estonian Support Association for Deafblind People, the parents set the following goals:
- Organising cooperation with legal entities and individuals in the field of deafblindness.
- Protecting the legal rights and interests of deafblind people.
- Providing educational and social rehabilitation for children and adults, and improving their quality of life.
- Training educators and partners who work with deafblind people.
- Collecting necessary information about deafblindness.
The parents were supported by specialists working with people with visual and hearing impairments, disability organisations, and private individuals. Today, the support network includes both children and adults.