Over three days, around 250 participants from different professional and personal backgrounds—including researchers, practitioners, policymakers, family members and people with deafblindness—came together to share experiences and explore ways to strengthen inclusion and support.

Lithuania was represented by Aurelija Babinskienė, Senior Adviser at the Methodological Support and Analysis Division of the Agency for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Vaida Lukošiūtė, Chair of the Lithuanian Association of the Deaf. The Lithuanian delegation was invited and supported financially by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Lithuania. The conference was organised by the Nordic Welfare Centre, an institution under the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Breaking boundaries through co-creation

This year’s conference theme, Breaking Boundaries – The Power of Co-creation, highlighted the importance of looking beyond established approaches and bringing together different perspectives to develop better solutions.

Deafblindness is a complex condition in which combined hearing and vision loss significantly affects a person’s ability to access information, communicate and participate in society. Ensuring the right to a dignified and fulfilling life requires approaches that recognise individual needs and strengthen access to appropriate support and services.

The conference brought together a wide range of perspectives on how this can be achieved in practice. Alongside presentations, participants took part in World Café discussions, workshops and interactive sessions designed to encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas. They explored what different stakeholders can do to better respond to the needs of people with deafblindness.

Topics ranged from research and community living to support for families and access to cultural activities, reflecting the broad range of factors that shape inclusion and quality of life.

Sharing experiences and strengthening cooperation

Participants from Australia, Cyprus, Germany, the Faroe Islands and other countries contributed their experiences and perspectives. The Nordic countries, however, have developed extensive expertise in the field of deafblindness, supported by established service networks, research and a strong focus on human rights.

For the Lithuanian delegation, the conference provided an opportunity to learn from Nordic approaches, exchange knowledge with professionals from different countries and explore ideas that could inform the further development of support for people with deafblindness in Lithuania.