Thursday, October 10, 2024
As of August 1, 2021, Wisconsin officially recognizes deafblindness as an unique disability category. Deafblindness is defined as a disability of access. A student does not need to be completely deaf or blind to be considered deafblind.
Deafblindness significantly impacts communication, social interactions, learning, and mobility, making it essential to understand its implications for appropriate accommodations and specially designed instruction. Accurate identification of a student's needs is crucial for accessing support, such as assistance from the Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project (WDBTAP), the Helen Keller National Center, or technology through the iCanConnect program. Students may also benefit from an intervener. An intervener is a designated related service provider who works one-on-one with students who are deafblind, focusing on communication, language development, and building conceptual understanding. Interveners help facilitate access to information and promote social-emotional well-being.
If your district has a student who is deafblind or suspected to be, please contact WDBTAP. WDBTAP offers family engagement activities, mentor programs, workshops, and professional development—all at no cost to districts or families.
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