Students with Dual Sensory Disabilities
(Deaf-Blindness)

Implications of Dual Sensory Disabilities in the
Postsecondary Education Setting

A dual sensory disability involves the presence of hearing loss and vision loss. The amount of hearing and vision loss may vary leading to differing needs for accommodations. Here are the different configurations that may occur with the preferred communication method for each.

A student who has some residual vision, but has little or no hearing:

• may prefer signed communication at a close range.

• may prefer large print or devices that magnify print.

A student who has some residual hearing, but little or no vision:

• may prefer to use amplification such as an assistive listening device.

• may prefer braille or depending on hearing loss, may be able to access audio-taped information if amplified.

A student with severe hearing loss and vision loss:

• may prefer tactile signed communication where the student places his or her hands on the hand of the person communicating with him.

• will likely prefer braille.