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Victorian Ushers and Deafblind Club
What is Ushers Syndrome?Ushers Syndrome is a combination of deafness and Retinitis Pigmentosa (R.P.) which may gradually lead to vision loss. RP is commonly known as tunnel vision and/or night blindness. Some people with Ushers notice change in their vision in childhood. Other people may become aware of changes later in their teens or twenties. The changes in hearing and vision are not the same for all people who have Ushers. BackgroundAt the beginning of 1991, a support group was set up as a self group for people who have Ushers Syndrome (type I). The consultant was contracted by Vicdeaf and Deaf Blind Association to provide various workshops for the Ushers participants on assertive skills, building self confidence, team building skills, better understanding of Ushers syndrome and relationships with other people. In 1995, it became "Victorian Ushers Club" which was established by a committee whose majority members were Ushers themselves. The following years later in 2001 it changed to Victorian Ushers and Deafblind Club (VUDBC) to welcome other deaf people who have some kinds of vision loss such as cataracts, glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Retinopathy and other causes. Recreational GroupVUDBC is a recreational group giving the group great opportunities for social outings on Saturdays of each month, annual camps and other functions. The support is given by sighted friends, volunteers, guides / interpreters to make the club more positive for people with Ushers and deafblindness to overcome the isolation. The aims are
Victorian Ushers and Deafblind Club newsletter is distributed in large or normal print, braille and by email. Anyone who is interested to receive VUDBC newsletter or any further information, please contact Victorian Ushers and Deafblind Club: c/o Deafblind Association Thank you and we are looking forward to hearing from you. One day VUDBC will become bigger as a group in the deafblind community. Kind regards June 2005 |