About Sense - National Deafblind and Rubella Association

Sense is the largest organisation in the UK working specifically with deaf and blind people. Set up by the families of deaf and blind people Sense is in the unique position to offer the best specialist services, care and advice.

Sense aims to be there for deafblind people whenever they need it for as long as they need it, from the first assessment of a deafblind child's needs to getting a job and providing a home.

Our history

Sense began in the 1950s as a parents' support group. It was then called the Rubella Group as it was made up of mothers who had contracted rubella during pregnancy. In those days, very few people had even heard of rubella, let alone the terrible consequences of contracting the virus during pregnancy. There was noone to turn to for help, so two courageous people - Margaret Brock and Peggy Freeman - began to share their experiences with other parents, determined to help deafblind children and their families.

Knowing how frightening and isolating life could be for families with deafblind children, the small but determined group set out to change perceptions. Together, they worked like Trojans, lobbying educationalists, writing to doctors and sending out newsletters.

Gradually persistence paid off. Researchers became interested and began looking into rubella syndrome more closely and the first Sense Family Centre opened, helping parents get their children off to a better start.

The group grew until eventually the organisation became known as Sense, the National Deafblind and Rubella Association.

Today, Sense is the UK's largest charity offering support to deafblind people and their families; many have other disabilities as well.