Deaf-Blindness Handout Description: The word deaf-blindness may seem as if a person cannot hear or see at all.

The term actually describes a person who has some degree of loss in both vision and hearing. The amount of loss in either vision or hearing will vary from person to person.

Characteristics: Dual sensory impairments vary from person to person. Help navigating the environment in which they are in. Making sense of events that are happening around them. Help learning due to dual sensory impairments. Very common to have one or more additional disabilities or health problems. Deaf-Blind people communicate in many different ways. (ex: hand over and hand sign langue or aided communication)

Suggested Learning Strategies: Use of Student Aids/ Accommodations: assistive listening device, interpreters, notetakers, tutors, readers. Handouts: large printed text, reading machines. Audiovisual Materials: large print on overhead materials, use of color overlays Exams: given orally, extended test time, listening to test, taking exam in different location. Teaching style: not move around well talking, look at students well talking to them, speak clearly and loud. Teach students through sensory experience such as touch or vibrations. Additional Resources: National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness http://nationaldb.org/ American Association of the Deaf-Blind http://www.aadb.org/FAQ/faq_DeafBlindness.html Deaf-Blind International http://www.deafblindinternational.org/