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Deafblindness/Deafblind*

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What is Deafblindness?

*The term "deafblind" may also be referred to as dual sensory impairment or dual sensory loss or spelled as deaf-blind.  In Colorado, we use the term deafblind to connote it as a unique condition and not simply a disability of vision loss plus hearing loss.

Deafblindness is a combination of vision and hearing loss.  Deafblindness encompasses a spectrum from mildly hard of hearing plus mildly visually impaired to totally deaf and blind or combinations of the severity of vision and hearing loss.  It is rare that an individual with deafblindness would be completely blind and completely deaf.  Either the vision and/or the hearing loss can be present at birth or acquired.

Individuals who have a combined vision and hearing loss have unique communication, learning, and mobility challenges due to their dual sensory loss.  Deafblindness is a unique and diverse condition due to the wide range of sensory capabilities, possible presence of additional disabilities, and the age of onset for the vision and hearing loss.

Who is Deafblind?

A child with deafblindness would include the infant who has a diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (a retinal condition that is associated with premature birth) and has an acquired hearing loss due to meningitis at age two.  Another person with deafblindness may have been born with a profound hearing loss and developed a later vision loss due to a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa. The child may be identified as having both vision and hearing loss at birth or later in the school years, depending on the onset of the dual sensory loss.

ELIGIBILITY CHART

                      Degree of Visual Impairment

D
e
g
r
e
e

of

H
e
a
r
i
n
g

I
 m
p
a
i
r
m
e
n
t

 

Normal vision
20/20

Visual Acuity
20/70-20/200

Visual Acuity
20/200-20/400

Peripheral Field less than 20%

Visual Acuity 20/400-20/1000

Light Per-ception

Totally Blind

0-25 dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26-40 dB

 

D

C

C

C

C

C

41-55 dB

 

D

B

B

B

B

B

56-70 dB
 

 

B

B

B

B

B

B

71-90 dB
 

 

C

A

A

A

A

A

 < 91 dB
 

 

C

A

A

A

A

A

Chart Key: Each of the categories below may be considered DEAFBLIND

A

Children who are deaf/severely hearing impaired AND legally blind/visually impaired

B

Children who have sensory impairments of both vision and hearing, one of which is severe and the other is moderate to severe

C

Children who have sensory impairments of both vision and hearing, one of which is severe AND have additional learning and/or language disabilities, which result in the need for specialized services.

D

Children who have auditory/visual impairments of a relatively mild to moderate degree AND additional learning and/or language disabilities which result in the need for specialized services, or who have been diagnosed as having sensory impairments which are progressive in nature.

E

NOT ON THE CHART BUT MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED DEAFBLIND:
 Children who have significant support needs due to generalized central nervous system dysfunction, who also exhibit measurable auditory and visual impairments, or deficits in auditory AND visual functioning

The Colorado definition of deafblind is as follows:

Deafblindness occurs in three of 100,000 births.  In Colorado, just over 130 children and youth (ages birth through 21 years) have been identified as having both a vision and hearing loss.  These individuals are eligible for services through the Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project.

Annual Student Census:  When a learner qualifies as being deafblind, according to the federal and state definitions, the child is registered with the Colorado State Deafblind Census.  On an annual basis, the state and federal governments collect demographic and educational data on the children between the ages of birth through 21 who have been identified as having a dual sensory impairment.  The purpose of this data collection is to help in planning for personnel, educational, and transitional services.  These data are also one factor the U.S. Department of Education uses to determine how much funding Colorado Services to Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss will receive.  All information is kept strictly confidential as stated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.  For more information about the Colorado State Deafblind Census, download a PDF copy of the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).

National Deaf-Blind Census Count Information:

Project Information

Colorado Services for Children and Youth With Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project

Located within the Colorado Department of Education, this project provides technical assistance (a responsive, collaborative and comprehensive consultation process) which supports Colorado children and youth, birth to 21 years, who have BOTH a vision and hearing impairment.  The technical assistance is available, at no cost, to parents, families and professionals in providing appropriate learning, literacy, and living opportunities for these individuals.  These services are in addition to those provided by administrative units, and other state and local agencies.

Project Staff

The technical assistance (T.A.) team consists of one Family Specialist (parent) and three educational consultants.  Project staff is available for on-site visits to homes or schools to provide technical assistance as needed.  This may include consultation with parents, teachers, related staff members, and school administrators.  Inservice training can be tailored to an individual student and/or address the general education need of learners who are deafblind. Services may be requested by families of children and youth who are deafblind, school personnel, and agencies provided services to children and youth who are deafblind.

To request a school or home visit, return the Technical Assistance Request Form by fax to 303-866-6767 or email to Gina Quintana.  You can also call Gina Quintana at 303-866-6605.

Who Do We Serve?

The Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project provides free technical assistance to families, education teams and service providers of children birth through the year of their 21st birthday, if the children:

  • have a combined vision and hearing loss, or

  • are highly suspect for both vision and hearing loss

The combination of these sensory impairments, even if both are mild, may qualify the child for the project's services.

Getting Started Early: Part C and Deafblindness

Agencies serve children with deafblindness birth to age 3:

What are the Services Offered by the Project?

Technical assistance services are in addition to those provided by schools, and other state and local agencies.  Assistance may include:

  • personalized on-site consultation

  • inservice training

  • workshops

  • family support services

Services may be requested by families of children and youth who are deafblind, school personnel, and agencies provided services to children and youth who are deafblind.

State Technical Assistance Specialists - Specialists in many aspects of combined vision and hearing impairments may be called upon to visit the home, school, classroom, and community to provide technical assistance (consultation, inservice training, program design and review) about effective teaching strategies and materials.

Family Specialist - Parents of children or youth with combined vision and hearing loss are available to talk to other families by phone or in person.  The Family Specialist also creates family mailings, family events and assists with planning parent workshops.

Newsletter - The project's newsletter VIBRATIONS is published and disseminated three times a year.  Each newsletter has a theme topic.  The newsletter is free to all interested persons and is also posted to the project's website.

Summer Institute - Nationally recognized experts in the field of deafblindness and significant support needs present an annual summer workshop, which is offered for university credit.  The training is typically 2.5 days.

Parent Training - The project sponsors an annual training for parents and other adult family members who would like to learn more about deafblindness.  The focus is on family networking and hands-on-learning.

Lending Library - A lending library is maintained with up-to-date books, articles, workshop materials, videotapes, and manuals related to the topic of vision and hearing loss.  A current directory is available upon request and on the project's website.  Lending library materials are mailed out upon request.

Resources

For more information about the Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project, please contact:

Tanni Anthony
Phone: (303) 866-6681
 

Gina Quintana
Phone:  (303) 866-6605
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A project of the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs

The Colorado Services for Children with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss is funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs