Education

LEARN about the deaf-blind community

WHAT IS DEAF-BLIND?

---

A condition which combines any degree of hearing loss with any degree of vision loss and interferes with communicating and acquiring information; even though Deaf-Blind persons may still have varying levels of useful vision and hearing.

There are various ways a person can become Deaf-Blind:

a. Genetic Condition, the most common condition is known as Usher syndrome. The major symptoms are hearing and vision loss.
There are 3 types of Usher syndrome:

Type 1: Causes profound hearing loss. Vision loss is caused by Retinitis Pigmentosa and may be noticed in early childhood.
Type 2: Causes moderate hearing loss. RP is usually diagnosed in adolescence.
Type 3: Children are born with normal hearing and vision. Develop hearing loss and RP in adolescence

b. Born deaf or hard of hearing and acquires a vision loss later in life. Diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, pigmentary retinopathy, macular degeneration are all causes of vision loss.

c. Born blind or with low vision and acquires a hearing loss later in life due to a prevailing condition.

d. Acquired vision loss and acquired hearing loss. This typically occurs with the aging population. Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in persons over 60 years old.

e. Accident/Trauma

Definiton of Legal Blindess:

Visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with corrective lenses (20/200 means that a person must be 20 feet from an eye chart to see what a person with normal vision can see at 200 feet) *This means that even wearing glasses, at best, all you can see is the 20/200 line on the eye chart (usually the top “E”) from a distance of 20 feet with your better eye. Visual field restricted to 20 degrees diameter or less (tunnel vision) in the better eye.

• To let a Deaf-Blind person know that you want to communicate; gently touch their hand or arm and hold it there until they are ready to communicate. As a sign of reassurance, you should always identify yourself to avoid possible confusion and embarrassment. You can sign your name, use a sign name, or special touch on the hands, an identifying marker, such as a piece of jewelry may help.
• Not all Deaf-Blind people communicate the same way. Be flexible and adapt to their method of communication.
• As a courtesy to the Deaf-Blind person let them know immediately when you arrive, step away or leave, so that a Deaf-Blind person knows when they are alone. Also inform them what others are doing in the room and when/if people are entering or leaving the room. This ensures their privacy. Let the Deaf-Blind person know that they can contact you when you have stepped away by voice, name sign, or other sound such as clapping. This will save them from searching or waiting.
• When visiting a Deaf-Blind Person’s home, always leave everything as it was. It can be very confusing and frustrating for Deaf-Blind people to try to locate something that was there before, or stumble upon something that wasn’t there before. Ask permission before moving something of theirs and tell them where you put it so that afterward they know where it is. Personal items such as wallets, purses, keys and meds should not be touched unless you are asked. A Deaf-Blind person can take care of these things themselves.
• Some Deaf-Blind people are partially sighted, sometimes it can be hard for them to focus on an object and locate it visually. When talking about an object; help them to understand what it is you are talking about by describing the object and its location clearly as well as letting them touch the object if possible.
• Remember to communicate. Don’t just move them or hand them something without explaining it first. If you must, move them quickly for safety reasons, explain after.
• It can be hard to always ask for help, so offer help when it’s appropriate and try to be unobtrusive and subtle when giving it. Deaf-Blind people can do things for themselves, so don’t treat them like they are fragile unless there is a legitimate reason other than being Deaf-Blind.
• A Deaf-Blind person can think for themselves, so don’t make assumptions or decisions for them.
• Being Deaf-Blind requires more organization and planning than being sighted and hearing, so plan things in advance. That way a Deaf-Blind person knows what to expect and can plan accordingly. Keep in mind that a Deaf-Blind person can have other plans or want to be alone. Don’t be offended or discouraged if they decide to go home early or are unenthusiastic about suggested plans.
• Be courteous and try not to break promises. If you say you’ll do something then do it.
• Respect the Deaf-Blind person’s privacy and dignity. Don’t ask personal questions unless you are good friends and refrain from telling information to others about them.

Tactile communication includes: hand over hand ASL/fingerspelling, two-hand manual, pro-Tactile communication, haptic communication, printing letters and numbers in the palm.

• Fingernails should be kept trimmed  and smooth.
• Avoid wearing sharp/pointed jewelry,  especially on hands and wrists to avoid  scratching.
• Carry a pocket sized hand sanitizer bottle  and wash hands often, to avoid germ  sharing.
• It is best to wear pants as legs may need  to be linked.

Wearing a hearing aid has been compared to listening to five different radio stations at the same time and same volume, and then trying to pick out a particular station.

• Hearing aids amplify all sounds, not  just the sounds people want to hear  and understand.
• They do not correct hearing loss. For  instance, the wearer may be aware you  are talking but your words may not be  distinguishable.
• It is easier for the person to communicate  if there are not other distractions around  like crowds, announcement, since all those  sounds are amplified too.
• If you can move the person to a quieter  location, that is recommended.
• Some people use hearing aids strictly for  environmental sounds rather than for  speech. Do not assume that a person with  a hearing aid can hear you clearly or at all.

• Stand at a reasonable distance (between  3-5 feet away) when finger spelling, signing, and speaking.
• Do not assume that a person with low vision can see a specific object, namely potential  tripping hazards and objects such as low  furniture or stairs. Always warn a person of  obstacles.
• Carry the conversation in a well-lit area  where possible. Always face the source of  light so it is easier for the person to lip-read  and/or see your facial expressions.
• If in a dimly lit area, use a flash light to  illuminate your face.
• Lipstick could be used to help brighten your lips and make it easier for lip-reading.
• Keep eye contact – avoid sudden head  movements or eye darts.