Children and youths aged three to 21 with combined visual impairment and hearing loss, and their families, school district staff, and other professionals.
These children often have disabilities in addition to their dual sensory disability, such as developmental delay, brain injury, cerebral palsy, or medical issues.
Children who qualify for services from our deaf-blind project may be classified in special education as multiply disabled, deaf, hearing impaired, or visually impaired—rather than deaf-blind.
The Washington state educational definition of “deaf-blind” reads:
“Children/youth with combined hearing loss and vision impairment who need specially designed instruction to meet their significant communication and other developmental and educational needs.”
Note: This definition may be changing; new WACS will be published in 2006.
Many people think “Helen Keller” when they see the words “deaf-blind.” Most of the students who qualify for services with our deaf-blind project have partial vision and some hearing. Only a few are totally deaf and blind; however, any degree of hearing loss and vision impairment, when combined, create unique learning challenges for children.
For more information, contact Sandy Honeycutt or Tracy Jess:
425-917-7827 (Puget Sound ESD, Renton
800-572-7000 (toll free in Washington state)
Email: wsds@psesd.org (or) shoneycutt@psesd.org (or) tjess@psesd.org
Infants and toddlers aged birth to three with both hearing loss and visual impairment qualify for services through Washington’s Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program. We can help to provide training and support for service providers and family members. We have a free lending library of videotapes, books, curricula, and other resources.
If you suspect that an infant or toddler may have both a hearing loss and visual impairment, you can call us for guidance.
For infant/toddler questions, contact Nancy Hatfield, director of early childhood:
425-917-7828 (Puget Sound ESD, Renton
800-572-7000 (toll free in Washington state)