Deaf-Blind Telecommunications in the
21st Century
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There are four very broad categories of deaf-blind
people:
People who are congenitally deaf-blind (born deaf and
blind or became deaf and blind before age 2-4). The cause is often genetic or
rubella. There is a large group of deaf-blind people now in their 30s and 40s
that as a result of the rubella outbreak in the 1960s. Congenitally deaf-blind
people usually live in a supported home or other supported environment. Most
attend a school for the blind and learn through tactile interpreting,
fingerspelling, and signing.
People who are born deaf or hard of hearing, lose
their sight with age. The largest cause is Ushers syndrome. Recent research
shows that there are three, possibly four types of Ushers. Those with type 1
lose vision between age 14-16 and can still see but get tunnel vision. In their
40s 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 much
longer. Type 3, which was just identified, causes hearing and vision to drop
about the same time. Most attend schools for the deaf.
People who are born blind, lose their hearing with
age. There are several causes. Most go to a school for the blind but interact
with the deaf community.
People who have lost both vision and hearing as they
age.
Harry C. Anderson, President of
American Association of the
Deaf-Blind
Jeffrey S. Bohrman, PhD, Project Director of
Ohio Deaf-Blind Outreach Program
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