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Deaf-Blind & Communication Issues

People who are deafblind may use, or be encouraged to use, different communication methods throughout their lives. It is likely that some people will always use more than one method of communication.

The communication challenges facing people who are born with impaired vision and hearing, will be very different from people who have had some experience of using their vision and hearing in their early years. It is important to stress that people who are deafblind have a great range of communication needs which may change over time. Also some people who are deafblind may use two or more methods of communication to express themselves, and use totally different methods to receive information. For example:

  • a child who has some sight, is profoundly deaf and has physical disabilities, may learn to understand sign language, but may need to find another means of expressing him or herself
  • someone with Usher’s syndrome will probably have learned British Sign Language as a young person, but may need to adapt the way they receive signs as his or her vision begins to change
  • an older person may have always used speech and hearing to communicate, but may need to learn to use hearing aids and low vision aids as his or her vision and hearing change over time

Suggested Solutions

Total communication approach

It is important to be flexible when helping a person who is deafblind to communicate, and it may be helpful to use a range of communication methods together. This is often called the total communication approach.

Methods that can be used within the total communication approach might include:

  • the use of speech
  • writing words down
  • finger spelling
  • different types of sign language
  • body language
  • facial expression and gesture
  • pictures
  • significant objects of reference
  • models
  • symbols
  • line drawings
  • Braille (raised dots)
  • Moon (raised letters)

Using body language

Some people, especially those born deafblind, may have no apparent means of communication. In these cases it is important to observe the person over a period of time to look for subtle movements of their face or body. This may indicate that they have an awareness of what is going on around them.

Over time, it is possible to set up a communication method which will allow the person to understand what activities are being offered, and that their subtle body language movements are being understood.

Without a recognised communication system, the person who is deafblind may be misunderstood.

If a provider comes into contact with a person who is deafblind should be sensitive to the range of ways which may be used to communicate such as body language and some gestures to express themselves. 1

Interpreters

Interpreter specialists write in DeafBlind Interpreter Guidelines 2

“An interpreter who has experience with one client who is DeafBlind may be unaware of the methods and requirements of other individuals who are DeafBlind. It is important to remember that support needs vary greatly among DeafBlind people.

Although many of the principles regarding interpreting for people who are DeafBlind will be the same as for people who are Deaf, (i.e.: Confidentiality, Professional Standards, Impartiality, etc.) it is essential that interpreters and interpreting agencies be aware of the unique needs of DeafBlind people, and their individual interpreting needs. Interpreters will often be required to provide transportation for DeafBlind clients, and may have to assist with their guide dogs (if the client has one).”

Deaf-Blind & Information Issues

Today's technology offers substantial advantages to people living with deaf-blindness.

Computers and other technologies can open up a world of information for people who are deaf-blind. Your state Commission on the Blind will be a primary resource for information tools for serving a survivor who is deaf-blind. Products for a personal computer can convert text into Braille, change text into large print and change to colours on the screen, or speak the text. 3

1http://www.sense.org.uk/deafblindness, Accessed 9.1.06


2By Jill Gauss, President of SHI-M=DB Self Help for Independence in Michigan Equalizing the DeafBlind and Beth Kennedy M.Ed., QA II


3http://www.sense.org.uk/deafblindness/life/technology/pcsoftware/, Accessed 9.2.06