USDE Announces Annual Deaf-Blind Child Count for Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Students (February 3, 2019)

Annually, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), requires the Pennsylvania Deaf-Blind Project to conduct the National Deaf-Blind Child Count, formerly called the National Deaf-Blind Census.  The Deaf-Blind Child Count records the number of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and students who have dual sensory impairments or who are at risk of developing dual sensory impairments, and who are enrolled in early intervention or special education as of the December 1, 2017 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) child count. 

The count will be conducted beginning February 1, 2019.  Each Local Educational Agencies (LEA) must verify and submit their information no later than February 28, 2019.  It is important for Pennsylvania to have an accurate Deaf-Blind Child Count as this information is tied to funding research, training, and technical assistance for this population of children.

LEAs are advised that, regarding the Deaf-Blind Child Count, the federal definition of deaf-blindness is more inclusive and extensive than the one used for the IDEA child count.  Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and students should be reported in the count if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and students whose primary or secondary diagnosis is deaf-blindness;
  • Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and students who have a mild to severe hearing loss and some degree of vision impairment that requires adaptations or modifications;
  • Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and students who have a diagnosis that places them at risk for developing a hearing loss and visual impairment; and
  • Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and students with multiple disabilities who may demonstrate inconsistent responses to light and sound.

It is important for each Early Intervention Program and LEA to participate in the Deaf-Blind Child Count.

The Deaf-Blind Child Count website is: https://www.leaderservices.com/_DBcensus.

Questions regarding the data collection system or responsibilities for entering child data into the Deaf-Blind Child Count, should be emailed to [email protected].