Mike McLinden is a professor in the School of Education at the University of Birmingham. His main professional role is concerned with promoting equitable access to education for learners with disabilities. He is co-director of the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research (VICTAR) at the University of Birmingham and programme lead for the professional development courses in vision impairment. Steve McCall retired in 2011 from his post as senior lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Birmingham. On his retirement he was awarded an honorary senior lectureship at the University of Birmingham and is currently working as an independent consultant. Liz Hodges is a senior lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Birmingham and the lead practitioner for deafblindness in education in Hertfordshire. In joint roles she develops theory and practice for learners with deafblindness with the aim of improving educational services. She is the only university lecturer in deafblindness education in the UK.