Deafblindness or dual sensory loss is a condition where a person has both a loss of hearing and vision.
About 90 per cent of the sensory information received by a person's brain usually comes through vision and hearing. A person with deafblindness uses any remaining vision and/or hearing, along with the other senses of touch, smell and taste to interpret and interact with their surroundings (Able Australia 2007).
Symptoms and characteristics
People with deafblindness can have varying degrees of combined hearing and vision impairment. For example, a person may be:
- hard of hearing and partially sighted
- hard of hearing and totally blind
- deaf and partially sighted
- deaf and totally blind.
The impact of dual sensory loss varies with each individual but may cause difficulties with:
- communication
- orientation to place and capacity for independent mobility
- ability to independently access information and participate in day to day activites
- access to appropriately supported education and training
- developing relationships
- adequate funding for required aids and equipment
- obtaining and retaining employment.
Due to the potential impacts of deafblindness, people may experience a sense of isolation, become frustrated or fatigued and have low confidence or self esteem (Able Australia 2007).
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
Related links
The following external web sites may be of assistance to you (please note these links will open in a new window):
Resources
Able Australia 2007, Deafblind information, Able Australia Services, Melbourne, viewed 10 October 2008, <http://www.ableaustralia.org.au/deafblind-information.asp>.
Australian Deafblind Council 2003, Australian Deafblind Council, Melbourne, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://home.internex.net.au/~dba/>.
Relevant links
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