I WOULD like to invite readers to take part in this year's National Deafblind Friendly Awards.

I'm deafblind myself, which means I have both sight and hearing difficulties, and I think it's really important that deafblind people are able to use the facilities most people take for granted.

Research has shown that one in four deafblind people have gone without food or medicine because shopping is so difficult for them.

The awards are presented annually at a ceremony organised by the charities Sense and Deafblind UK. A panel of deafblind people choose which businesses and services are doing the best job in making their services accessible to people who are deafblind.

Please do send off for a nomination form if you think your organisation might be in with a chance. Nominations are open until March 31. To request a nomination form, contact Sense on 020 7272 7774 or visit www.sense.org.uk or write to: The Campaigns team, Sense, 11-13 Clifton Terrace, London N4 3SR.

NIGEL MARRIOTT