What Does Deafblindness Mean?
Deafblindness is a combined vision and hearing loss that creates communication, developmental, and educational needs beyond either disability alone.
- Deafblindness is a disability of access
- A student does not need to be fully deaf or blind to be considered deafblind.
- Most individuals have some usable vision or hearing.
- Only 1% of individuals nationwide have no usable hearing or vision.
- About 90% of children who are deafblind have three or more disabilities.
- PI 11.36 (4m) Wis. Admin. Code
How Can Deafblindness Impact Learning?
Students with deafblindness may experience challenges in:
- Communication and language development
- Concept development
- Orientation and mobility
- Social interaction
- Overall learning and participation
Supports and strategies may include:
- Using additional sensory channels (touch, movement, smell)
- Individualized communication approaches
- Specialized instruction and environmental adaptations
Educational teams must design supports that go beyond accommodations for hearing-only or vision-only loss.
Why Is It Important to Consider Deafblindness in Students with Hearing and/or Vision Loss?
Vision and hearing are our primary learning channels, about 90% of information comes from these senses.
- Students who are deafblind cannot rely on vision to compensate for hearing loss and they can not rely on hearing to compensate for vision loss.
Individuals who are deafblind:
- May face unique learning challenges that are not addressed by programs for just vision or hearing loss alone.
- May require specialized strategies and support in areas such as communication, social interaction, and access to educational materials.
- Benefit from early identification to ensure:
- Access to appropriate interventions
- Maximized independence
- Effective learning
If you have a child or work with a child that fits any of the descriptions above, please consider requesting services from the Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project (WDBTAP).