Deaf-Blindness

Overview 

The Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (effective July 7, 2009) defines the term as follows:

“Deaf-Blindness” means hearing and visual impairments occurring at the same time, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness (34 CFR §  300.7 (c) (3); 8VAC20-81-10).

Deafblindness involves a combination of hearing and vision loss where those senses are reduced, distorted, or missing entirely. Because the impact on learning is exponentially greater for combined vision and hearing loss than for vision or hearing loss alone, understanding the unique impact of deafblindness is essential. 

Resources

• Virginia Deafblind Project – Funded by VDOE and OSEP to provide customized training and consultation to individual student teams, schools, and divisions on unique skills and considerations to provide students with combined vision and hearing loss with access to their education.    

• Deaf-Blindness: Eligibility Determination and Identification (PDF)

• Technical Assistance Center for Students Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing – Funded by VDOE to provide training and technical assistance in the area of deafness and hard of hearing.

• Department of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Educational Services  - Provides services and resources to children (birth to 22 years old) who are blind, vision impaired or deafblind.

• Refer also to Deaf & Hard of Hearing and Visual Impairment Including Blindness

National Resources

• National Center on Deafblindness – Online hub for Deafblind information, including self-guided modules, family resources, and news and events in the Deafblind education field.

• National Family Association for Deafblind – National nonprofit organization connecting families of individuals who are Deafblind with information and networks at the state and national levels.

• CHARGE Syndrome Foundation – Provides outreach, educational webinars, and connection to local statewide liaisons to connect with families.

• Usher Syndrome Coalition – Works to raise awareness about Usher Syndrome and provide information to people and families affected by Usher Syndrome.

• Ava’s Voice – Nonprofit organization focused on connecting and empowering youth with Usher Syndrome and educating schools and communities.

• Helen Keller National Center – National program providing comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to youth (16 and older), with combined hearing and vision loss.  Supports people who are Deafblind to achieve their goals and aspirations.

• Perkins School for the Blind – Nonprofit organization with access to curated online resources and trainings directed specifically for educating students who are blind, visually impaired, and Deafblind.