DeafBlind International Conference 2023

Hi

My name is Trudy Ryall.

I was diagnosed with deafness at 2 years old then in my 30’s diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa which means now I have a condition called Ushers type 2 which is deafblindess. I have always been passionate about disability advocacy and ensuring there is equal access for society.

I have been a disability advocate for over 20 years. I am one of the co-founders of a non-profit group DeafBlind Victoria which has been running for 16 years. A self-advocacy group for deafblind people and provide services for the DeafBlind communities within Victoria. DeafBlind run free programs funded by limited funding from the government. For example today as an Events Manager I organised at the monthly DBV café, the Department of Transport from Canberra, came to get feedback from the deafblind community members - how to improve all transport access systems for people with disabilities. (Taxis, train, buses, trams, planes etc.)

Here is the link for DeafBlind Victoria

https://deafblindvictoria.com

I am fundraising for a good cause. I need funding support to be able to go to this conference as my paper has been accepted to present face to face to talk about the achievements of DeafBlind Victoria at the Global Connections: 18th Deafblind International World Conference is coming to Ottawa, Canada on Saturday, July 22 to Friday, July 28, 2023!

Here is the link to find out more about the conference.

https://www.deafblindnetworkontario.com/18th-deafblind-international

The funding will contribute to the costs of:

• 5 Airflights for one person, 2 support workers and 2 Auslan interpreters.

• Accomodation (shared apartment style)

• 5 Conference Registration fees

This would be a wonderful opportunity to contribute to a worldwide ground breaking learning experience and bring back to the Australian deafblind communities how to enhance their lives in every way and have a quality of life.

Also you are meeting deafblind people internationally and learn of their amazing achievements - like Helen Keller (27 June 1880-1 June 1968) who was deafblind – she was an author, disability advocate, a believer of human rights, a lecturer and worked with political leaders.

This would promote and create more deafblind leaders.

Thank you for taking the time to read about this fundraising opportunity and if you would like to make a donation that would be fantastic.

Yours sincerely

Trudy