Who is Deafblind?

A child with deaf-blindness would include the infant who has a diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (a retinal condition that is associated with premature birth) and has an acquired hearing loss due to meningitis at age two. Another person with deaf-blindness may have been born with a profound hearing loss and developed a later vision loss due to a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa. The child may be identified as having both vision and hearing loss at birth or later in the school years, depending on the onset of the dual sensory loss.

Degree of Visual Impairment
Degree of Hearing Impairment		Normal vision 20/20	Visual Acuity 20/70-20/200	Visual Acuity 20/200-20/400	Peripheral Field less than 20%	Visual Acuity 20/400-20/1000	Light Perception	Totally Blind
	0-25 dB
	26-40 dB		D	C	C	C	C	C
	41-55 dB		D	B	B	B	B	B
	56-70 dB		B	B	B	B	B	B
	71-90 dB		C	A	A	A	A	A
	< 91 dB		C	A	A	A	A	A

Chart Key: Each of the categories below may be considered DEAFBLIND

A	Children who are deaf/severely hearing impaired AND legally blind/visually impaired
B	Children who have sensory impairments of both vision and hearing, one of which is severe and the other is moderate to severe
C	Children who have sensory impairments of both vision and hearing, one of which is severe AND have additional learning and/or language disabilities, which result in the need for specialized services.
D	Children who have auditory/visual impairments of a relatively mild to moderate degree AND additional learning and/or language disabilities which result in the need for specialized services, or who have been diagnosed as having sensory impairments which are progressive in nature.
E	NOT ON THE CHART BUT MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED DEAFBLIND: Children who have significant support needs due to generalized central nervous system dysfunction, who also exhibit measurable auditory and visual impairments or deficits in auditory AND visual functioning

Deaf-blindness occurs in three of 100,000 births. In Colorado, just over 130 children and youth (ages birth through 21 years) have been identified as having both vision and hearing loss. These individuals are eligible for services through the Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project.

Annual Student Census: When a learner qualifies as a child with deaf-blindness, according to state eligibility criteria, the child is registered with the Colorado State Deaf-Blind Census. On an annual basis, the state and federal governments collect demographic and educational data on children between the ages of birth through 21 who have been identified as having combined vision and hearing loss. The purpose of this data collection is to help in planning for personnel, educational, and transitional services. These data are also one factor the U.S. Department of Education uses to determine how much funding Colorado Services to Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss will receive. All information is kept strictly confidential as stated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. For more information about the Colorado State Deaf-Blind Census, download a PDF copy of the Frequently Asked Questions about the CO DB Census (PDF).

National Deaf-Blind Census Child Count Information:

National Deaf-Blind Child Count Reports

For more information about the Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project, please contact:

Email Tanni Anthony
Phone: (303) 503-4647

Email Gina Herrera
Phone: (303) 253-0451

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