Deaf-Blind Telecommunications in the21st Century |  |
There are four very broad categories of deaf-blindpeople:
People who are congenitally deaf-blind (born deaf andblind or became deaf and blind before age 2-4). The cause is often genetic orrubella. There is a large group of deaf-blind people now in their 30s and 40sthat as a result of the rubella outbreak in the 1960s. Congenitally deaf-blindpeople usually live in a supported home or other supported environment. Mostattend a school for the blind and learn through tactile interpreting,fingerspelling, and signing.
People who are born deaf or hard of hearing, losetheir sight with age. The largest cause is Ushers syndrome. Recent researchshows that there are three, possibly four types of Ushers. Those with type 1lose vision between age 14-16 and can still see but get tunnel vision. In their40s to 60s, they experience a decrease in central vision and become blind.Those with type 2 usually, but not always, have central vision that lasts muchlonger. Type 3, which was just identified, causes hearing and vision to dropabout the same time. Most attend schools for the deaf.
People who are born blind, lose their hearing withage. There are several causes. Most go to a school for the blind but interactwith the deaf community.
People who have lost both vision and hearing as theyage.
Harry C. Anderson, President ofAmerican Association of theDeaf-Blind
Jeffrey S. Bohrman, PhD, Project Director ofOhio Deaf-Blind Outreach Program
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