Frequently Asked Questions About Deaf-Blindness
Does the word “deaf-blind” mean a person is fully deaf and fully blind?
No. Most people who are deaf-blind have a combination of vision and hearing loss. They usually have some useful but not always reliable vision and hearing. Some people have little or no useable hearing and vision.
How many deaf-blind people are in the United States?
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions (NARUC) estimates that 70,000-100,000 people living in the United States are deaf-blind.
How do people become deaf-blind?
About 50 percent of people in the deaf-blind community have Usher Syndrome. This is a genetic condition where a person is born deaf or hard of hearing, or with normal hearing, and loses his or her vision later on in life from retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Other common causes of deaf-blindness include birth trauma, optic nerve atrophy, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. Some people may be born with both hearing and visual impairments through birth trauma or rare causes such as CHARGE Syndrome or cortical visual impairment. Others may become deaf-blind through accidents or illnesses.
What do deaf-blind people do?
People who are deaf-blind have a wide variety of both vision and hearing loss. They come from different social, vocational and educational backgrounds. They have many jobs and roles: teachers, professors, counselors, homemakers, agency directors, business executives, government workers, and others. Some have their own businesses. Others are students, and still others are retired.
How do deaf-blind people get around?
Deaf-blind people can often travel independently, and/or with family, friends or support service providers (SSPs). Many use public transportation–buses or subways, especially if they live in an area where public transportation is available. They also use paratransit–vans or special taxis, especially if they live in rural areas or in an area where public transit is not available. Some may use car or van pools. Others may depend on family and friends for transportation, or travel on foot if they live within walking distance of where they need to go.
What are some common communication methods that deaf-blind people use?
Deaf-blind people use many different ways to communicate. They use sign language (adapted to fit their visual field), tactile sign language, tracking, tactile fingerspelling, print on palm, tadoma, Braille, speech, and speech reading. The communication methods vary with each person, depending on the causes of their combined vision and hearing loss, their background, and their education.
What kind of technology or equipment do deaf-blind people use?
Deaf-blind people use many types of technology and equipment in their daily lives. Examples include mobility canes, closed circuit televisions (CCTV), Braille, Braille TTYs, TTYs with large print displays, and Braille or large print watches or clocks, to name only a few.
Where and how can deaf-blind people learn how to be independent?
Deaf-blind people can get training to learn to become independent. Ohio Deaf-Blind Outreach Program of Columbus Speech & Hearing Center’s Comprehensive Program for the Deaf offers:
Communication & Technology
Vocational Training & Employee Support
Life Management Skills
Consultation & Education