This was yarn of a different kind. Colourful yarn bombs were held high when a group of deafblind Australians, community, service and research organisations took to the steps of Melbourne’s Parliament House to raise awareness on key issues faced by the deafblind community. This includes recognising deaf blindness as a unique disability that will encourage urgent action for deafblind children in schools.
Led by Able Australia, Vision Australia, UsherKids Australia, CHARGE Syndrome Australasia, and Deafblind Victoria, the event aims to connect members of the deafblind community with policy makers through touch and craft.
“Yarn bombing has been used as an activism tool for over 20 years and engages our sense of touch, which is one of the few senses that someone who is deafblind can use,” Able Australia, Centre of Excellence head, Dr Meredith Prain said. “This year’s theme for Deafblind Awareness Week is ‘connect to act’. We hope that our combined efforts will create a united voice for those who are deafblind, and lead to real change for those who have multi-sensory disabilities.”
Also putting his hand up to being ‘yarn bombed’ was MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Health Infrastructure Tim Richardson, pictured.