Ohio Deafblind Census Registration
In the United States in 2020, the National Deafblind Child Count reported approximately 10,483 children identified as having combined hearing-vision loss (aka deafblindness). The annual Ohio Deafblind Census is the process for registering children, birth through 21 years of age, who have a combination of vision loss and hearing loss for the National Child Count.
The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education (OCDBE) is required under federal regulation to identify students throughout Ohio who have a combination of hearing and vision losses, also known as deafblindness. The Ohio census is part of the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) mandate to identify and register all children with deafblindness. The National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) is charged by OSEP with aggregating data from each state’s deafblind census for the National Deafblind Child Count.
It is important that students with combined hearing-vision loss are identified and registered on the DB census. Registration on the census allows for the provision of training and services for families, educators and agency personnel.
Register a Child for the Ohio Deafblind Census or Update a Child’s Census Record
All Ohio school districts should register children with a combination of vision and hearing loss on the Ohio Deafblind Census regardless of the child’s special education disability category (e.g., visual impairment, multiple disabilities, etc.) identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Additional OCDBE Resources
Parents Guide for the Identification of Children with Deafblindness
The Parents and Families Guide for the Identification of Children with Deafblindness provides guidance for assisting in the identification of a child with a possible vision impairment, hearing loss, or combined vision-hearing loss (deafblindness) and how to register a child with deafblindness on the Ohio Deafblind Census.
Educators Guide for the Identification of Students with Deafblindness
The Educators Guide for the Identification of Students with Deafblindness brochure provides information on combined vision-hearing loss (deafblindness) based on the degree of each sensory loss, steps to take in school when a combined vision-hearing loss is suspected, services offered by the Ohio Center for Deafblind Education, and how to register a child on the Ohio Deafblind Census.
English version
Medical Professionals Guide for the Identification of Children with Deafblindness
The Medical Professionals Guide for the Identification of Children with Deafblindness brochure provides information on combined vision-hearing loss (deafblindness) based on the degree of each sensory loss, risk factors that may indicate a vision and/or hearing loss, services offered by the Ohio Center for Deafblind Education, and how to register a child on the Ohio Deafblind Census.
English version
Early Intervention Decision Tree: Guidance for Identification and Program Planning for Children with Vision and/or Hearing Loss
The Early Intervention Guideline Document Identification and Program Planning for Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children with Vision and/or Hearing Loss provides quick guidance about red flags for possible vision and/or hearing loss and the steps to follow when an infant, toddler, or young child has or is suspected of having one or more sensory impairments.
English version
Decision Tree: Risk Factors and Behavior Suggesting Possible Vision and/or Hearing Concerns in Young and School-Age Children
The Decision Tree flow chart of risk factors and behavior for vision and hearing to consider in determining if a child may have a vision and/or hearing loss, suggested next steps for follow-up to any concerns, and what to do if a hearing and/or vision loss is confirmed.
English version
Web-based Hearing Loss and Vision Impairment Assessments
The web-based Hearing Loss and Vision Impairment Assessments assists parents in accessing important information related to their child’s vision and hearing. By clicking on the Hearing Loss or Vision Impairment Assessment and responding to a series of “yes/no” prompts, parents can obtain essential information about their child’s vision and hearing and any next steps to take in the vision and/or hearing evaluation process.
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