SensesWA extends its congratulations to the team of international researchers for the launch of the world’s first World Health Organisation (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets specifically for deafblindness. SensesWA’s Deafblind Information Australia Project Manager, Dr Meredith Prain, was one of the contributing researchers.
The ICF Core Sets for Deafblindness provide a comprehensive framework for enhancing communication and the quality of care for individuals with deafblindness — who often struggle to access appropriate support.
Deafblindness, a dual sensory impairment affecting both vision and hearing, impacts between 0.2% and 2% of the global population, presenting significant challenges to daily life and independence.
The development of the ICF Core Sets for deafblindness is an important milestone in improving advocacy, clinical practice, service delivery, and research globally, advancing the understanding and treatment of deafblindness.
“I’m proud to announce the completion of the WHO ICF Core Sets for deafblindness after four years of hard work which is the result of an international collaboration of researchers. Congratulations to everyone involved, especially Dr Walter Wittich and the team,” Meredith said.
Thanks is shared with all those who were key contributors to the scientific portion of the project. Recognition is given to master’s students, PhD candidates, post-docs, and international research assistants, as well as the dedicated research coordinators, caregivers, intervenors, and interpreters who facilitated the work. Also acknowledged are the numerous research and health centres that supported the team.
Dr Meredith Prain is a leading deafblindness consultant, researcher and Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. Among her many notable contributions, Meredith was involved in the 17th Deafblind International World Conference Planning and Scientific Committee, leads the Deafblind Information Australia Project and in 2023 was elected Vice-President of Deafblind International.
She completed a PhD exploring interactions between adults born with deafblindness and the people who support them, Meredith has been involved in numerous research projects with Deakin University, Monash University and the University of Melbourne, and regularly presents at national and international conferences.
A natural communicator with three decades of experience in the allied health and disability sector, Meredith works with SensesWA to deliver training in deafblind awareness and deafblind communication methods and strategies, undertake research, manage projects and develop resources.
The core sets are available online. To learn more and to access the resources, visit https://www.icf-research-branch.org
Collaborators and supporters (alphabetical):
- Able Australia
- Canadian Hearing Services
- Canadian Helen Keller Center
- Canadian National Institute for the Blind
- Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de l’Ile-de-Montréal
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal
- Centre National de Ressources Handicaps Rares – Surdicécité
- DeafBlind Association of Zambia for Financial support and collaboration
- Deafblind Association Nepal
- Deafblind International
- Deafblind Information Australia
- Deafblind Ontario Foundation
- Deafblind Ontario Services
- Diputació de Barcelona
- European Deafblind Network
- Federación Española de Sordoceguera
- Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre
- National Centre for Deafblindness
- Perkins School for the Blind (Egypt)
- Royal Kentalis
- Sense India
- SensesWA
- Society of Deafblind Parents Nepal
- Statped Noruega
- University of Melbourne
- Vision Sciences Research Network funded by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé
- World Federation of the Deafblind
For more information
For more information and to access the resources, visit https://www.icf-research-branch.org
Contact: Dr Meredith Prain, Project Manager – Deafblind Information Australia
Email: meredith.prain@senses.org.au
