DeafBlind Communication

There are approximately 10 million blind and visually impaired people in the US (according to the National Federation of the Blind). There are approximately 1 million "functionally deaf" people and 8 million "hard of hearing" people in the US (according to a Gallaudet study). There are approximately 70,000 DeafBlind people in the US (according to the Helen Keller National Center).

Now many people when they hear the word "DeafBlind" automatically think of Helen Keller who was "totally" Deaf and Blind. But the truth is many DeafBlind actually do have some vision, or some hearing, or both. Sure I should be using the label "dual sensory impaired" or "hearing impaired and visually challenged" etc. etc. But I don't have the patience to "speak" or "fingerspell" all that ;) so I use "DeafBlind" for myself.

Communication with the DeafBlind are many and various depending on their "category" of DeafBlindness:
1. Born Deaf and either Blind from birth; have useful vision in childhood; or average vision in childhood but impaired later in life.
2. Born Hard of Hearing and Blind from birth; have useful vision in childhood; or average vision in childhood but impaired later in life.
3. Born Hearing and lost later in life and either Blind from birth; useful vision in childhood; or average sight in childhood and lost both later in life.

(Note: I used the word "average" instead of "normal". The defination of "average" is: what is typical of a group, class, or series or what is commonplace, middle, status quo, etc. I really don't like using the word "normal" to describe the common population because then it translates that people with disabilities are "abnormal" which we ain't)

Communication methods could range from:
1. Techniques based on ASL like limiting the field of signing to a smaller area, or tactile sign language (the DeafBlind putting their hands on top of the signer's hands).
2. Techniques based on written language like tactile alphabet, braille, block printing the alphabet on palm of hand, CCTV (TV monitors to magnify text), "Dexter" a mechanical fingerspelling hand, and/or a glove with sensors to convert fingerspelling to text on a computer.
3. Tadoma Method which is tactile reading of lips and throat. The DeafBlind feels the lips move and combine the movements with the throat vibrations.

Now what to do when you meet a DeafBlind person?
1. Always introduce yourself. Even if you've been friends for YEARS, you should still introduce yourself. I can't tell you the number of times I've not recognized someone I've known for years over and over again just from the fact that she's gotten a new hairdo or dyed her hair differently.
2. Let the person know when you're watching them, or you're talking to someone else. I've had many "conversations to the air" because it LOOKED like someone was watching me sign but actually were watching someone 2 seats over.
3. Talk directly TO the person, not to whomever they're with. I've had relatives at reunions ask my mother "How is Tracy doing?" my mother would say "Ask her yourself she's standing right here!"
4. Don't be afraid to use words like "see" "look" "hear" "listen" etc. DeafBlind people use those words too.
5. When giving directions or "calling" them, be specific like "the chair is on your left" or "I'm on the floor by the couch" (my kids had to learn that). Saying "over here" or "over there" does NOT work!!
6. If you want to help them around, ask them first and let them take you by the elbow. This is so that they're one step behind you and can feel the direction you are going. Also warn if there are steps or objects in the way. Do NOT grab the person by the shoulders or arms and steer them ahead of you. This is my #1 Pet Peeve!!! Geez, if I had a $1 for every time someone's grab me, steered me to a chair and plopped me down, I'd be rich!

The basic rule is "ASK"! DeafBlind, Deaf, Blind, or any other "disAbility" are just people like every one else, just have to do things a bit different. Just ask them if you want to know more. Don't shy away because you'd think it'll be "too hard". Heh, try LIVING it!

Until next time, leave the lights on and don't rearrange the furniture!