Which statement best defines deaf-blindness?

Which statement best defines deaf-blindness?

• A. Cooccurring visual and hearing impairment affecting communication, development, and education
• B. Visual impairment only
• C. Hearing impairment only
• D. Blindness only

Answer: (A)

Deaf-blindness involves co-occurring visual and hearing impairment that significantly affects communication, development, and education. When both senses are impacted, typical ways of obtaining and sharing information are blocked, so students need specialized supports and methods to access content, interact with others, and participate in learning. This combination creates unique barriers that aren’t explained by either a visual impairment alone or a hearing impairment alone, and certainly not by blindness alone. Because of the dual challenge, instruction often relies on multimodal communication, tactile methods, and individualized strategies to ensure access to the curriculum and meaningful interaction.

Deaf-blindness involves co-occurring visual and hearing impairment that significantly affects communication, development, and education. When both senses are impacted, typical ways of obtaining and sharing information are blocked, so students need specialized supports and methods to access content, interact with others, and participate in learning. This combination creates unique barriers that aren’t explained by either a visual impairment alone or a hearing impairment alone, and certainly not by blindness alone. Because of the dual challenge, instruction often relies on multimodal communication, tactile methods, and individualized strategies to ensure access to the curriculum and meaningful interaction.