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News 13impairment, the tactile sense becomes especially important.%u201d Scottish charity, Deafblind Scotland has worked with partners to create a Declaration. This calls for the formal adoption of the Nordic definition of deafblindness. It also calls for the human rights of deafblind people to be protected, through six specific commitments. They are:%u2022 Inclusive education (making sure that all deafblind people have access to high quality, accessible education). %u2022 Access to information and communication (making sure that deafblind people have access to information they want and need in a way that is accessible to them, and that they are able to respond). %u2022 Support services, habilitation and rehabilitation (making sure that all deafblind people have access to the help, support and equipment needed to allow them to achieve their full potential). %u2022 Participation in decision making (making sure that all deafblind people are part of decisions that affect their lives). %u2022 Public awareness and advocacy (raising awareness of deafblindness to try and overcome any stigma and encourage inclusivity). %u2022 Partnerships and collaboration (professional organisations committing to work together in the best interests of deafblind people). On 5 August 2024, Deafblind CEO Isabella Goldie and Annabelle Ewing MSP met with the Minister of Mental Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP. As a result, the Minister has expressed her interest in supporting the deafblind community by adopting the Nordic definition of deafblindness. She is looking at how existing guidance in England and Wales could be rolled out across Scotland nationally. The progress is a positive step for deafblind people in Scotland. Deafblind Scotland have suggested these next steps to the government. They aim to to create greater equality for deafblind people in Scotland: %u2022 Adopt the Nordic definition of deafblindness. %u2022 Work with deafblind people to develop specific pathways for assessment, identification and intervention.%u2022 Develop training around deafblindness and make sure assessment is carried out by specially trained staff. %u2022 Create a centralised system of notification for deafblind people.If you would like to find out more, you can visit the Deafblind Scotland website: dbscotland.org.uk/defining-deafblindness