Who is eligible for WDBTAP services?
Any child or youth between the ages of birth through 21 years of age, who is at risk for, or has a combined vision and hearing loss is eligible.
How can WDBTAP help my child or the child I am working with?
WDBTAP helps to support children with combined vision loss, their families and their educational teams in a variety of ways. Watch the Introduction to WDBTAP video to learn more.
Does a child have to have the primary disability of Deafblindness on his or her IEP in order to be eligible for services from WDBTAP?
Deafblindness does not have to be identified as a child’s primary or secondary disability to qualify to be on the Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project’s (WDBTAP) deafblind registry. The child has to have a combined vision and hearing loss.
The infant/toddler/child/youth doesn’t have a vision or hearing loss yet, but is considered “at-risk.” Should I refer them?
Yes. This is especially important in cases of degenerative conditions that involve a progressive loss of hearing or vision.
Should I refer a child with vision and hearing loss who has multiple disabilities?
Yes. The child should be referred as long as they have a combination of hearing and vision loss, regardless of the primary disability category listed on their IEP.
Should I refer a child who is still being evaluated or does not yet have a documented hearing loss or vision loss?
Yes. A referral is recommended as long as a child functions as if they have both a vision and hearing loss. You have up to one year to get the required documentation of hearing loss and/or vision loss to remain on the registry.
Should I still refer a child or youth to the registry even if they have a mild or unilateral hearing or vision loss?
Yes. A child or youth with any combination of hearing and vision loss should be referred. WDBTAP will help to determine if the child is eligible to be on the deafblind registry.
Can I refer a student based on an education evaluation?
Yes. If the evaluation comes to the conclusion that the student is functionally deafblind, the student should be referred.
What happens once I refer the child?
A WDBTAP staff member will follow up with the referring source and the child’s family to confirm eligibility. The child’s family and educational team members may qualify for services from the Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project at no cost.
The child can still see. Are they still eligible for the registry?
Most children referred to the registry have some form of usable vision and/or hearing. Any combination of vision and hearing loss qualifies that student for the registry.
The child wears hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other hearing technology that helps them hear. Are they still eligible for the registry?
Many children referred to the Registry use some form of hearing technology or have some access to hearing. They should still be referred if they have any combination of vision and hearing loss.
How do I add a child to the deafblind registry?
On the Request for Services form, under the question “Tell us a little more about the request for WDBTAP services and what you are looking for from us?”, write “Adding a child to the deafblind registry.” If there are other services you are looking for please feel free to add them here as well.
What if I’m not sure whether the child is already on the deafblind registry?
Please contact the Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project to confirm whether a child is already on the deafblind registry.
How do I request services once a child or youth is eligible?
Please fill out the Request for Services form and briefly describe the services you are looking for. Once the request is received, someone will be in contact with you.
Who should fill out the Request for Services form?
Any parent, guardian, family member, educator, Birth to 3 service provider, medical professional, or other service provider can make a referral.
If you have any additional questions, please reach out, and we will be happy to assist in any way we can.