About deafblindness
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) defines deafblindness as “concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness” (Sec. 300.8[c][2]). The number of students who are deafblind is small, making this the lowest incidence disability in IDEA. There can be a significant amount of variability in the hearing and vision loss of children who are considered deafblind, and many of these children have needs in addition to deafblindness.
An overview of deafblindness can be found at the National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB), including a list of causes. As a technical assistance center, “NCDB works with state deaf-blind projects and other partners to improve educational results and quality of life for children who are deaf-blind and their families”.
Usher syndrome is one of the most common causes of genetic deafblindness. More information about Usher Syndrome can be found at the Usher Syndrome Coalition.
CHARGE syndrome is another common genetic cause of deafblindness. More information about CHARGE can be found at the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.
An overview of deafblindness can be found at the National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB), including a list of causes. As a technical assistance center, “NCDB works with state deaf-blind projects and other partners to improve educational results and quality of life for children who are deaf-blind and their families”.
Usher syndrome is one of the most common causes of genetic deafblindness. More information about Usher Syndrome can be found at the Usher Syndrome Coalition.
CHARGE syndrome is another common genetic cause of deafblindness. More information about CHARGE can be found at the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.
