For Professionals

The Louisiana DeafBlind Project is a no-cost resource for professionals working with students ages 0-22 who may qualify as DeafBlind. We are part of a national network funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
 
Young boy in wheelchair fingerpainting with assitance from art teacher.

A wide variety of children may be considered DeafBlind, regardless of the cause or degree of combined hearing and vision loss.

Each student who is DeafBlind has different access needs, experiences, and ways of learning and communicating. Many have additional disabilities. If you are unsure whether your student qualifies, please reach out to us!

Learn more about deafblindness

We provide support to:

 

Early Intervention Providers

Pediatric Therapy Centers

Teachers

Paraprofessionals

Related Services Providers

School Administrators

Medical Professionals

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

 

Any professional working with a child who may be DeafBlind can request support.

When you request support, we will reach out to plan next steps.

Request Support today

 

Professional Development

 

We provide professional development tailored to your team's needs at no cost.

To learn about training opportunities and other resources, sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe to the LADBP Newsletter

Past PD topics include:

  • Strategies to promote learning for students who are DeafBlind
  • Hearing and vision in early childhood
  • Making visual supports accessible
  • ASL interpreting for students who have low vision
  • Cortical Visual Impairment
  • Supporting students who have CHARGE syndrome
  • And more!

About Interveners

An intervener is a highly trained paraprofessional who works one-on-one with a student who is DeafBlind. Interveners work with students who are DeafBlind to ensure access to communication, learning, people, and the environment throughout the school day.

LADBP can provide ongoing training and mentorship when a paraprofessional is identified by a district or IEP team to serve as an intervener for a student who is DeafBlind.

more about interveners

 
DeafBlind Intervener guides a young girl's hand over braille.

 

About the DeafBlind Child Count

The DeafBlind Child Count is conducted each year as required by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

LADBP will ask each district and early intervention region to refer children who may be DeafBlind for inclusion in the Child Count each year.

If you have questions about how to respond to the annual DeafBlind child count, please contact us.

Child Count Data

The National Center on Deafblindness compiles each state's data into an annual National DeafBlind Child Count.

View the national child count

 

Identification for Administrators

The National Center on Deafblindness provides guidance for administrators on identifying students who may be DeafBlind for the Child Count.

View the Administrator's Guide

OSEP Dear Colleague Letter

OSEP's explanation of the DeafBlind Child Count

View the OSEP Letter