Understanding Deafblindness
A combined loss of vision and hearing can significantly impact on a student’s ability to communicate, interact and learn in a variety of environments.
The vision and hearing impairments can range from partial sight / low vision to total blindness and from mild to profound hearing loss.
Students with deafblindness require specialized support to meet their unique educational needs, beyond those that would be provided solely for students with hearing loss, visual impairments or severe disabilities. With this support in place students with deafblindness are able to benefit from integrated school and community programs.
The student with deafblindness
is not
a blind student who cannot hear
nor
a deaf student who cannot see.
Deafblindness is a unique disability.
It is not simply DEAF + BLIND,
but rather DEAF x BLIND.
| 