2025 marks what would have been Helen Keller’s 145th birthday, and for the first time, the United Nations is also recognising 27 June as the International Day of Deafblindness.
Born both deaf and blind in 1880, Helen Keller’s life is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with determination, support, and opportunity. As well as being the first deafblind person to earn a university degree, Helen became a celebrated author and advocated around the world for the rights of people with disabilities.
Today, we honour Helen’s legacy and continue the journey she helped start, building a more inclusive world for people who are deafblind.
As part of this effort, Dr Sally Britnell and her team at AUT are inviting participants to join a research project to help define what Deafblindness means here in Aotearoa. This New Zealand-specific definition will guide better services, policy, and recognition, and your input can make a real difference.
Adults aged 18 and over who identify as being Deafblind or having trouble seeing and hearing (no formal diagnosis is required) are invited to share their experiences. This 30-60 minute interview can be held at either the Deafblind Conference or another accessible time and location. Communication support such as NZSL, tactile signing, Braille and Easy Read is available. Participants will receive a $50 gift voucher as a thank you for taking part.
To learn more or to take part, please contact Dr Sally Britnell at 09 921 9999 ext 7539 or email sally.britnell@aut.ac.nz. You can also reach Lisa Kelly, Research Assistant, at lisa.kelly@aut.ac.nz.
Please let them know your preferred way to communicate (email, phone, text), and Dr Britnell’s team will send you more information.
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