Types of Disabilities: Deafblindness

Question 1

Deafblindness

Answer 1

A sensory disability that includes both deafness and blindness. Most people who are Deaf-Blind are not completely deaf nor completely blind and retain some hearing and sight capability.

Question 2

Braille Displays

Answer 2

If a person is both deaf and blind, the only option is to use a refreshable braille display in combination with a screen reader. The screen reader sends the text to the braille display, which they can then feel with their hands.

Question 3

ICT Challenge: Digital text cannot be seen.

Answer 3

Solution: A screen reader can convert text to braille on a refreshable braille device, or “print” it in a braille embosser.

Question 4

ICT Challenge: Audio (including the audio portion of videos) cannot be heard.

Answer 4

Solution: A text transcript of the audio can be converted to refreshable braille by a screen reader, or “printed” in a braille embosser.

Question 5

ICT Challenge: Cannot see or hear visual or auditory alerts/feedback.

Answer 5

Solution: Provide haptic alerts/feedback.

Question 6

General Challenge: Speakers cannot be seen nor heard.

Answer 6

Solution: Provide tactile sign language interpretation.