Deafblindness is a rare condition in which an individual has combined hearing and vision loss which limits access to both auditory and visual information. The impact of deafblindness on learning and development is extensive and varies from person to person depending on the type and level of vision and hearing loss, age of onset (from birth or acquired later), and presence of additional disabilities. What is common among children and youth who are deafblind is that visual and auditory information used by sighted and hearing individuals is not fully accessible. This leads to difficulties in learning concepts about their world, developing communication and language, and forming social relationships with others.

 

Resources:

National Center on Deafblindness Webpage: Deafblindness Overview
This webpage provides useful information and resources that explain deafblindness and the implications of combined vision and hearing loss. It also includes sections about the causes of deafblindness, vision and hearing, and profiles of learners who are deafblind. 
National Center in Deafblindness Fact Sheet (2022): An Overview of Deafblindness 
An easy-to-read factsheet that provides a quick overview of what deafblindness is and how children who are deafblind learn and communicate.
VIDEO: What is Deafblindness? (5 minutes). National Center on Deafblindness (2025). Brief video that illustrates the diverse range of deafblindness and the unique interests, abilities, and access needs of this small population of learners. 

National Center on Deafblindness Webpage: Causes of Deafblindness
This page provides brief descriptions and links to resources for some of the more common, although still relatively rare, syndromes and prenatal/congenital causes. Unless otherwise noted, the descriptions are from the National Institutes of Health. 

Teacher Perspectives: Learn from two California educators who have engaged in professional development training and have extensive experience teaching learners who are deafblind:

Linda Bernett, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher
Madilynn Sipe, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Article: Identification of Children With Deaf-Blindness: Resources For School Administrators National Center on Deafblindness (2022). 
This article provides information and resources to help school administrators increase their knowledge of deafblindness and the importance of identification of students who are deafblind.

Article: New to Deafblindness: Five Tips for Administrators (Marina McCormick, M.Ed ., 
Region 4 Regional Day School Program for the Deaf Coordinator). A special education administrator from Texas shares practical tips for other administrators to consider.

CDBS Fact Sheet (Revised 2022). How to Interact with Individuals Who Are Deafblind. 
Brief factsheet with tips for respectful and effective interactions with individuals who are deafblind.

 

Learning Modules:

Professional Development Module: The Impact of Deafblindness on Learning and Development :Lesson 1: An Introduction to Deafblindness. (National Center in Deafblindness. 2022.)
Each 30-minute lesson is split into 3 videos which provide a foundational understanding of what deafblindness is and the diversity of this population of children and youth. This module describes how deafblindness impacts teaching as well as the different ways children who are deafblind learn about the world around them. You’ll also understand the importance of identifying deafblindness as early as possible in a child’s life.

 

If you did not find the information you were looking for, please contact us and we can provide or suggest additional resources that fit your needs. Contact Julie Maier at jmaier@sfsu.edu.