Deafblind

This page provides links to various information, programs and resources related to students who are deaf-blind.

“Deaf-blindness” means concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness.” OAC 3301-51-01 (B)(10)(d)(iii)

Information and Resources

The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education (OCDBE), who receives funding from the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children, provides services in Ohio for individuals with deafblindness from birth through age 21. Services include free collaborative technical assistance to families, educational personnel and service providers through training and information dissemination.

Assistive Technology & Accessible Educational Materials Center (AT & AEM), funded by the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children, assists local education agencies in providing Braille and large print materials for students with visual impairments or print disabilities, provides technical assistance to local education agencies, offers professional development for parents and teachers of students with visual impairments and print disabilities, Statewide Braille Production Services and Federal Quota Registration of Blind Students in Ohio.

State Library of Ohio (and local libraries) offer the Talking Book Program that provides free recorded books, magazines and playback equipment. Catalogs, large type books and books on tape are available. Deaf Education Resources - in conjunction with the Ohio School for the Deaf, the State Library has books and videos related to educating the deaf, including interpreting and sign language for teachers, parents and students who are deaf. To locate the resources, type interpreting and sign language into the search box. Click on the title of any item for more information about the resource. A State Library card is required to borrow an item from the collection, and any Ohio resident can apply for a card.

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the educational interests of children with disabilities and receives funding from the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children to serve as Ohio's Parent Information Center. The Coalition offers free materials and statewide training programs for families with children who have disabilities. OCECD also offers assistance in the areas of advocacy, legislation, educational rights, transition from high school to community and team work between families and service providers.

Other Resources

The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) is a national technical assistance and dissemination center for children and youth who are deaf-blind. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), NCDB brings together the resources of three agencies with long histories of expertise in the field of deaf-blindness, The Teaching Research Institute (TRI) at Western Oregon University, the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) and the Hilton/Perkins Program at Perkins School for the Blind. NCDB works collaboratively with families, federal, state and local agencies to provide technical assistance, information and personnel training.

The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is a national rehabilitation program in Sands Point, NY that provides information, support and advocacy nationwide to individuals with combined vision and hearing loss, their families and the professionals who support them. The mission of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is to enable each person who is deaf-blind to live and work in his or her community of choice.

The National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) is the largest nonprofit national organization of families of individuals who are deaf-blind. NFADB believes that individuals who are deaf-blind are valued members of society and are entitled to the same opportunities and choices as other members of their community. NFADB exists to empower the voices of families of individuals who are deaf-blind and to advocate for their unique needs.

The Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness works to increase access and equity for students, families, and communities through connections, resources, and supports.

ODH Children’s Hearing and Vision Program is a program of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of children with hearing and vision problems. In addition to providing school-screening standards, the program conducts a statewide survey of hearing and vision screening programs and provides training for people who do screenings.

The information and links are designed to be a resource for parents, districts and programs. The agencies listed provide helpful information for families and educators of children identified with vision or hearing impairments. This directory of resources specifies the screening requirements and guidelines for school-based preschool and K-12 schools. Children who do not pass school hearing and vision screenings should be referred for follow-up care.


 

Last Modified: 12/22/2021 12:59:56 PM