Pre Conference (Feb 28, 2025)

Background

Individuals with deafblindness experience a unique set of challenges due to the combined impact of vision and hearing loss. This dual sensory impairment significantly affects their access to information, communication, education, and essential services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Social stigma, lack of inclusive policies, and limited awareness among caregivers and professionals further marginalize them, leaving their rights and needs unaddressed. Many individuals with deafblindness are denied the autonomy to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and health, increasing their vulnerability to abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a fundamental human right and a critical tool for empowering individuals with knowledge about their bodies, relationships, gender, rights, and overall well-being. CSE plays a crucial role in promoting dignity, autonomy, and informed decision-making, particularly for persons with disabilities, including those with deafblindness. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are equally essential, ensuring that individuals have access to necessary healthcare, protection from violence, and the ability to exercise their rights. However, CSE and SRHR remain largely inaccessible to individuals with deafblindness due to communication barriers, societal misconceptions, and the absence of inclusive teaching methods.

Individuals with deafblindness face significant barriers in accessing CSE and SRHR. These include a lack of accessible learning materials, limited training for educators and caregivers on how to communicate sexuality-related information effectively, and the exclusion of deafblind persons from mainstream CSE programs. Many parents and caregivers struggle to address SRHR concerns due to cultural taboos, and individuals with deafblindness are often overprotected or deprived of opportunities to express their desires, needs, and agency. The lack of trained professionals, inadequate policy implementation, and insufficient support mechanisms further hinder their ability to claim their SRHR.

Rationale for the Pre-Conference

This Pre-Conference is strategically aligned with the First Deafblind International Asia Regional Conference, scheduled for March 1-3, 2025, under the theme: “Innovative Deafblind Inclusion: Education, Occupation, and Community Engagement.” The inclusion of this event within the broader conference framework ensures that discussions on CSE and SRHR are recognized as fundamental aspects of inclusion, alongside education, employment, and community participation.

The Pre-Conference will serve as a dedicated space to highlight the significance of CSE and SRHR for individuals with deafblindness. By bringing together individuals with deafblindness, their caregivers, educators, and advocates, this event will foster collaboration and generate commitments toward ensuring access to CSE. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, witness innovative approaches to inclusive education, and contribute to a Call to Action that will feed into the main Regional Conference Declaration. This will serve as an advocacy tool at subnational, national, and international levels, ensuring long-term policy influence and systemic change.

Objectives

• Sensitize individuals with deafblindness, their parents, caregivers, and stakeholders on the importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
• Discuss the existing situation, needs, and challenges in accessing CSE and SRHR services for individuals with deafblindness.
• Demonstrate innovations and inclusive educational tools that can facilitate access to CSE for individuals with deafblindness.
• Develop a Call to Action to advocate for the integration and accessibility of CSE for individuals with deafblindness to advance their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Event Details

Date: 28th February 2025

Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Venue: Hotel Pauwa, Pokhara, Nepal

Modality: Presentations, demonstrations, discussions, and finalization of a Call to Action

Structure of the Event:

1. Opening Presentations
2. Overview of access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education and SRHR for individuals with deafblindness
3. Brief remarks by key stakeholders and experts on the importance of inclusive CSE
4. Demonstration of Innovations
5. Showcasing accessible educational resources for individuals with deafblindness
6. Simulation exercises to provide insights into how individuals with deafblindness can access SRHR information and services
7. Discussion on Situation, Needs, and Challenges
8. Identifying key gaps in policy, education, and service provision
9. Sharing experiences and best practices from different regions
10. Finalization of the Call to Action
11. Consolidating inputs from participants to develop a policy-focused advocacy tool
12. Aligning commitments with the main Regional Conference Declaration

Expected Outcomes

1. Increased Awareness: Participants, including individuals with deafblindness, caregivers, educators, and policymakers, will gain a deeper understanding of the necessity of CSE and SRHR for individuals with deafblindness.
2. Identification of Barriers and Solutions: Through discussions, the Pre-Conference will highlight key barriers and possible interventions to make CSE more inclusive and accessible.
3. Demonstration of Innovative Approaches: Participants will be introduced to innovative tools and methods for delivering CSE in accessible formats.
4. Development of a Call to Action: A key outcome of the Pre-Conference will be the formulation of a Call to Action—a strategic document outlining urgent measures and commitments needed to advance CSE and SRHR for individuals with deafblindness. This document will:
5. Be integrated into the main Regional Conference Declaration, ensuring its visibility and commitment at a broader level.
6. Serve as an advocacy tool in relevant subnational, national, and international spaces to push for policy reforms, inclusive education frameworks, and better service provision.

Partners

The pre-conference is jointly organized by the Blind Youth Association Nepal and National Federation of the Deaf Nepal (NDFN) in collaboration with Amplify Change, Right Here Right Now and CBM Global Nepal Disability Inclusion.

Conclusion

The Pre-Conference on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) for individuals with deafblindness is a crucial initiative aimed at addressing the long-standing gaps in access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). By bringing together individuals with deafblindness, their caregivers, educators, and key stakeholders, this event will foster meaningful discussions on the challenges, needs, and solutions to ensure the inclusion of deafblind individuals in CSE programs.

By integrating discussions on CSE and SRHR into the broader theme of “Innovative Deafblind Inclusion: Education, Occupation, and Community Engagement,” this Pre-Conference ensures that sexual and reproductive rights are recognized as an essential aspect of holistic inclusion.

The event will not only raise awareness but also contribute to actionable outcomes by developing a Call to Action that will be incorporated into the main Regional Conference Declaration. This document will serve as a powerful advocacy tool, influencing policies and programs at the subnational, national, and international levels.

Through this initiative, we aim to empower individuals with deafblindness with the knowledge, autonomy, and rights they deserve, ensuring they are included in the global movement for comprehensive sexuality education and reproductive health rights. This Pre-Conference marks the beginning of a sustained advocacy effort towards a more inclusive and rights-based approach to CSE and SRHR for individuals with deafblindness.