Information Sheet

Information about the Deafblind Census 

The Texas Education Agency (TEA), Division of Special Education, is required to report annually on individuals, 0-21 years of age, who are deafblind in Texas.

This report requires a different type of information than the Child Count data mandated under IDEA.  Through the Deafblind Census, the Texas Education Agency must annually report:

 ·         the number of children who meet the criteria for being reported on the Deafblind Census served by age, severity, sex, and nature of deafblindness; and 

·         the types of services provided and the setting in which the services are provided. 

The census provides information that is used for regional and statewide planning to develop funding and appropriate services for infants, children, and youth who are deafblind. 

This census report is more inclusive and extensive than the December 1 Child Count report required under the IDEA.  It is important to point out that the federal definition of deafblindness is a functional definition which goes beyond medical and clinical determination of severity of two major sensory deficits and focuses on evidence of need for modification of special education practice.

 The federal definition of deafblind is as follows:

 ·         Deaf-blindness means concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness [34 CFR § 300.7].

 Students who are deafblind represent a heterogeneous group and may include the following:

 a)   meet the eligibility for auditory impairment and visual impairment;

 b)   have documented hearing and visual losses that, if considered individually, may not meet the requirements for auditory impairment or visual impairment, but the combination of which adversely affects the student’s educational performance;

 c)   have a documented medical diagnosis of a progressive medical condition that will result in concomitant hearing and visual loss that, without special education intervention, will adversely affect the student’s performance; or

 d)   have suspected vision and hearing loss but who have not been tested may be reported to the Deafblind Census and remain for one year.  During that year, assessment of their sensory functioning should be completed.

 If you have any questions, please contact the deafblind specialist at the Education Service Center in your region.