DBV members share valuable insights that come from lived experience as deafblind people. Read our stories below, or apply for membership for yourself.
- Deafblind tips for managing at home & in the community
- Tech Talk – deafblind technology information
- Member stories – deafblind individuals tell us about themselves
See also: Articles about issues commonly faced by Deafblind people in essential services, and helpful suggestions for how these issues might be managed.
1. Deafblind Tips
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Deafblind tips 21 – Blind seating for sporting events
Can Deafblind people enjoy live sporting events too? Deafblind Victoria member Robert Lokmer shares his story…
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Deafblind tips 19 – Picnic Table and Bag
Video translation: Heather Lawson: Hello, I have another tip. Going for a picnic at lunchtime is…
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Deafblind tips 18 – Folding cane
Hello, Heather here. I would like to share another Deafblind tip called “folding cane”. Many Deafblind…
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Deafblind tips 17 – Custom made tactile embroidery
DBV member Andrew shares his new cap, embroidered with DBV logo with tactile braille dots! Translation:…
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Deafblind tips 16 – Cooking with Alison
Alison shares some kitchen labelling tips.Video and translation below. Hello, my name’s Alison. I have Usher…
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Deafblind tips 15 – Shower bottles
Hello, Jeanette Loftus here. At my shower at home, I put a rubber band on the…
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Deafblind tips 14 – High-viz mobility canes
Hello, my name is Trudy Ryall. I bought a new cane. It’s bright orange. Its good…
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Deafblind tips 13 – Flashing wristband
Hello, it’s Andrew Howard here. I want to tell you about a flashing wristband. [Andrew gets…
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Deafblind tips 12 – Travel water bottles
Hello, it’s Heather here with Deafblind Tips 12: travel water bottles. In my experience using a…
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Deafblind tips 11 – Reflective tape
Hi! I’m Andrew. I sometimes have trouble finding my hearing aids case. I can’t remember if…
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Deafblind tips 10 – Public transport number signs
Deafblind Victoria member Andrew Howard has a great tip for Deafblind commuters catching Public Transport such…
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Deafblind tips 9 – Ross House lift
Ross House is in central Melbourne. Deafblind people come to Ross House for DBV Connect. It…
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Deafblind tips 8 – Rubbish bins with shoe laces
I live in a nice unit shared with other 4 units on the same property. Every…
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Deafblind tips 7 – Hospital communication
Before my surgery last year I thought to try and created of the communication between me…
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Deafblind tips 6 – QR code cards
I created the card called QR code card. I tested it by showing staff who work…
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Deafblind tips 5 – Raised dots and labels for appliances
For many years I have used a microwave oven to cook or heat up food. I…
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Deafblind tips 4 – Braille labels
Hello! Many years ago I was taught how to use the tool called a braille writing…
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Deafblind tips 3 – Carton flaps
When I go shopping, I like to buy milk and juice but all in the same…
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Deafblind tips 2 – Jean buttons
I have three jeans in the same design. The jeans feel the same, but I have…
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Deafblind tips 1 – Bananas
DBV’s Heather Lawson has some useful suggestions for living as a Deafblind person. You can read…
2. Tech Talk
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Tech Talk 22 – Explore 12 magnifier, large print keyboard, and Roger mic
To highlight the ways deafblind staff utilise technology in their everyday work at DBV, Jackie and…
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Tech Talk 21 – Brailliant BI 20X
DBV member Taron loves the Brailliant BI 20X display and tells us why in this interview…
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Tech Talk 20 – Adjusting speed on JAWS screen reader
DBV team member Alex Sar chats with Andrew about his favourite technology for work — the…
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Tech Talk 19 – Braille frame and stylus, Roger Pen and rainbow cane
At DBV we love to highlight the different ways our deafblind staff utilise technology in their…
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Tech Talk 18 – Miniguide and Tactile Watch
A Miniguide is a vibrating proximity sensor. Steven Hellier talks in Auslan about how he uses…
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Tech Talk 17 – Phone stands and phone lanyard
Have you ever been on a video call and couldn’t find anything to hold up your…
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Tech Talk 16 – iPhone with screen reader… and a “technology” that’s alive!
DBV employee Jael Espinal-McCoskey explained to Andrew what technology she uses at work: an iPhone, a…
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Tech Talk 15 – Explore 12 portable video magnifier
Video Translation Hi, my name is Andrew Howard. Today I’m talking about Explore 12. It’s larger…
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Tech Talk 14 – Apple Vision Pro
Deafblind Victoria member Robert Lokmer tried out a new device: Apple Vision Pro. It’s a headset…
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Tech Talk 13 – Portable charger (power bank)
Many of us know the stress of our phone or braille display battery going flat when…
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Tech Talk 12 – Phone stands for video calls in sign language
Video 1 translation: Hi, it’s Andrew Howard here. I want to show you my phone case…
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Tech Talk 11 – Accessible Keyboards
Video Translation: Andrew: Hello, my name is Andrew Howard. I’m working here at DBV and today…
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Tech talk 10 – Explore 8 magnifier with external screen
Video translation: Hello, my name is Andrew Howard. I want to tell you about the Humanware…
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Tech Talk 9 – El Braille
Michelle and John review the El Braille portable braille computer: Michelle: Hi, John. Welcome back to…
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Tech talk 8 – Apple watch
Peter Tarrant talks in Auslan about his Apple watch. Below is the video and a translation:…
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Tech Talk 7 – Explorer 12 CCTV by Humanware
DBV member Andrew talks about the new Explorer 12 CCTV.
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Tech talk 6 – Sunu band and Dot watch
A Sunu Band is an electronic bracelet that vibrates. It can detect obstacles in the environment…
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Tech talk 5 – Live captions on Samsung phones
DBV member Joseph discusses how to use live captions on Samsung smartphones
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Tech Talk 4 – iOS 15 accessibility features
Deafblind Victoria attended the Lunch and Learn online workshop held by Guide Dogs Victoria on Tuesday…
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Tech Talk 3 – Seeing A.I. app for smartphones
The Artificial Intelligence app “Seeing A.I.” 2020 is an app for the iPhone which is an…
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Tech talk 2 – Speech to text
Hi everyone! For those who may not know me, my name is Michelle Stevens. I am…
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Tech Talk 1 – Zoom meetings for Deafblind braille users
Health advice during the Covid-19 pandemic includes keeping physical distance from others. This can be challenging…
3. Member stories
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New member Paul Tatt shares about joining DBV
G’day everybody! My name’s Paul. I live in country western Victoria and I’m one of the…
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Deafblind Community NSW
We are so proud to learn about what our Deafblind…
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Jasper on diHARD Radio: Lived Experience, Access, and Community
Last year, Jasper was interviewed on diHARD: Diversity and Inclusion…
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Member story – Steven Hellier Work at Royal Society for the Blind
Steven Hellier is a Deafblind man who lives in Adelaide.…
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Media appearance – DBV members on ABC news
Congratulations to Jael Espinal-McCoskey, who was featured recently on ABC…
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Deafblind West Australians – DBWA visits Melbourne
We were delighted to host two special guests from our…
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Generation Women – Heather Lawson’s Presentation
Generation Women Australia is a series of storytelling events that…
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Member Story – Kathy plays blind tennis
DBV member Kathy Wise was featured on Blind Sports and…
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Remembering Joanne Porter
It is with deep sorrow that we share the news…
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Auslan in the Deafblind community
Many Deafblind people in Victoria use Auslan (Australian Sign Language).…
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Deafblind artist Joe’s artwork at the State Library of Victoria
Great news! Talented Deafblind Printmaker, Joe Monteleone’s iconic Flinders’ Street…
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Member story – Fish finger
Hi, I’m Heather. I want to introduce you to my…
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Member story – Robert & photography
Hello, My name is Robert Lokmer. I love taking photos!…
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Deafblind guest speaker Jael from USA
Today 15th Feb 2023 at Deafblind Café, 15 Deafblind people…
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Member story – Jeanette’s cat Bobyn
Hello everyone, hope you all are well. I just wanted…
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Medical trial – new drug for Usher Syndrome RP
DBV member Joseph Heenan visited DBV today to share news…
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International day of People with Disability – Dec 3
December 3 is the United Nations’ International Day for People…
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Gina Pontelandolfo’s story about macramé and crafts
I’m Gina and I have Usher Syndrome. Now my eyesight…
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Member story – Maree Heenan and swimming
Some of you may or may not be aware that…
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DBV member tells Kokoda story in Hireup video
DBV’s Joe Monteleone used “Hireup” to support him in walking…
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Social isolation is not new to us – Podcast with DBV’s Heather Lawson
Heather Lawson was invited to participate in an interview for…