If you happened to be deaf and blind, chances are you would need some additional support.

That is where our charity of the year, Kent Association for the Blind, comes in.

The organisation works to make the lives of those dealing with the condition better and strengthen their quality of life.

Kay Mannering is a guide communicator service manager for the charity is using Deafblind Awareness Week, which begins today, to spread the word about the condition.

"Just because a person has dual sensory loss [is deaf and blind] it does not mean they cannot achieve or have to miss out on experiences that some of us take for granted," she says.

"We just need to find a way of supporting those goals and experiences that they want to achieve.

"Sometimes it may take a little more thought and planning but if we can support someone with a guide communicator to get the best from life whether it is a shopping task or a day trip to France, then we will do our best to ensure this happens."

Kay is on the front line and sees the work her staff put in to helping people who cannot see or hear what is going on.

"We just need to find a way of supporting those goals and experiences that they want to achieve" - Kay Mannering

Some 394,000 people in the UK suffer with some degree of combined sight and hearing loss and that number is set to rise.

The charity believes the condition should be classed as a disability in its own right.

Until Sunday, July 2, the charity will be raising awareness of dual sensory loss.

Kent Association for the Blind’s Guide Communicator Service, has a team of specifically trained Guide Communicators working across Kent, Medway, Bromley and Greenwich, who visit deafblind people in the community and support them to remain as independent as possible.

Guide communicators can use different forms of communication to suit the individual deafblind person, this can range from clear speech, large text, reduced visual field British Sign Language, hands-on British Sign Language, Deafblind Manual and Block alphabets and Haptic communication.

The service is very flexible and can be tailored to meet individual requirements, can be available seven days a week and the hourly charges vary according to the communication need and time or day of the visit.

Kay added: "It is a privilege to be part of KAB and Manager of the Guide Communicator Service team.

"Encouraging deafblind people to experience situations that some may not think possible, is real job satisfaction.

"The support provided varies depending on the need of the person with dual sensory loss.

"Individuals may be eligible for financial help from their local council, all deafblind individuals are entitled to a specialist assessment as detailed in the Care Act 2014.

"Kent Association for the Blind also operates the Intervenor service for those deafblind individuals with congenital deafblindness and other complex needs and the Sight Support service for those individuals with a sight impairment."