Employment of individuals with deaf-blindness: Necessary skills and prevocational assessments

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss skills necessary for individuals with deaf-blindness to attain and retain employment, as well as identify prevocational assessments for this population. Activities of daily living including functional communication, socialization, and mobility are examined as necessary skills in relation to employment. Reasonable accommodations which promote better communication, socialization, and mobility for individuals with deaf-blindness in the work place are discussed. A case study is included to illustrate successful employment of an individual with deaf-blindness through the evaluation and assessment of necessary skills and personal interests, accompanied by reasonable accommodations. Due to the low incidence of this disorder, an introduction to the etiology and demographics of deaf-blindness is also provided.