News
Deafblind advocates and disability organisations will cover key politicians in knitted and crocheted materials this week to highlight the need for improvements to the levels of care from hospitals and health care professionals provide when treating deafblind patients.
The event will see the Victorian Minister for Disability, Lizzie Blandthorn and the Victorian Minister for Mental Health, Iggy Statt, yarn bombed by members of deafblind community. Yarn bombing, is a type of street art that uses knitted or crocheted yarn or fibre to create colourful displays on public objects, or in this case, public figures.
Representatives from Able Australia, CHARGE Syndrome Australasia, Deafblind Victoria, Deafblind Australia, Usher Kids and Vision Australia will join forces on Thursday 19th June on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne ahead of Deafblind Awareness Week for the demonstration.
Paediatric Speech Pathologist and deafblind program lead at Vision Australia, Steve Rose, says yarn bombing has been used as an activism tool for over two decades.
[Yarn bombing] engages our sense of touch, which is a sense that the deafblind community relies on. While yarn bombing typically involves decorating objects, we’re happy that the MPs are wanting to go that step further.
Steve Rose
The event is aiming to bring attention to stories of neglect in health care settings. According to the advocate organisations involved in the protest, there is currently no standard level of care in Australia for people with dual sensory disabilities.
It's estimated that between 50,000 and 500,000 people experience deafblindness, or dual sensory loss in Australia, according to Vision Australia.
“We know that people with deafblindness experience higher rates of hospitalisation and poorer health outcomes,”Mr Rose says. “Coupled with their complex communication needs, it’s crucial that healthcare providers know how to communicate with them to provide appropriate healthcare.”
The deafblind community hopes that by sharing their experiences, “real change will come out of these discussions.”
The demonstration will run from 11:00am to 12:00pm.