Deaf & Blind

Deaf/Blind

Lealani AflagueED443: Assistive Technology

Dr. J. CyrusNovember 24, 2008

Objectives

What is deaf-blindness?

Statistics

Impact on life

Assistive Technology

Organizations

Definition

Combination of hearing and vision lossStill have partial hearing or visionNo two individuals with deaf/blindness are

the same

Causes

Usher Syndrome*retinis pigmentosa Usher 1Usher 2Usher 3

Other causes

Birth traumaOptic nerve atrophy CataractsGlaucomaMacular degenerationDiabetic retinopathy Result of accident or illness

National Statistics

United States Department of Education

Teaching Research Division at West Oregon State University

Impact on Life

Communication and Language

Movement and Motor Skills

Cognition

Emotion and Social Interactions

Body Image and Self-Concept

Factors of Impact

Age of onset

Degree or type of hearing and vision loss

Stability of each sensory loss

Educational intervention provided

Interventions

Sign Language

Tactile sign language

Tracking

Tactile finger-spelling

More Interventions

Print on Palm

Tadoma

Braille

Speech Reading

Assistive Technology

Mobility canesClosed circuit televisionsBrailleText Telephones (TTY)Braille watches

Accommodations

Helen Keller National Center “to enable each person who is deaf-blind to live

and work in his or her community of choice.”

Other Organizations

American Association on the Deaf-BlindFlorida Outreach ProgramNational Consortium on Deaf-BlindnessDeafblind UKNational Family Association for Deaf-Blind

Video Time!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj5_t0wDkKQ

SummaryDeaf-blindness is a very complex disability that

requires much attention and effort from the parents, caretakers, and other professional to better the lives of individuals with the disability. There are several causes of the disability, but none of those causes can be predicted. Early Intervention, as well as other interventions can prove to be extremely helpful in teaching the individual about life skills and other areas of development that may be hindering the person’s ability. There are many assistive devices that could help as well, but the most important factor for helping these people is dedication; and this dedication can be found in people working with various organizations focusing their efforts on the deaf-blind community.

References

Robbins, Nan. Educational Beginnings with Deaf-Blind Children. Perkins Publications. Massachusetts, 1960.

Yoken, Carol. Living with Deaf-Blindness: nine profiles. The National Academy of Gallaudet College. Washington, D.C, 1979.

More references…

California State Department of Education. Learning Steps: A Handbook for Persons Working with Deaf-Blind Children in Residential Settings. Office of State Printing. Sacramento, CA, 1976.

National Family Association for Deaf-Blindhttp://www.nfadb.org/

Yet more references…

National Consortium on Deaf-Blindnesshttp://nationaldb.org/aboutDeafBlindness.php

American Association of the Deaf-Blindhttp://www.aadb.org/

Florida Outreach Programhttp://www.deafblind.ufl.edu/definition.htm