KY DeafBlind Project Supplemental Grant(FY27)

Abstract Accurate identification of children and youth who are DeafBlind is foundational to ensure access to effective instruction, meaningful family engagement, and appropriate services. The National Child Count of Children and Youth who are DeafBlind (NCDB, 2023) emphasizes the importance of identification as the entry point to specialized supports. While Kentucky’s official child count includes 20 students with DeafBlind as their primary eligibility, the Kentucky DeafBlind Project (KDBP) currently serves over 200 students who experience combined vision and hearing loss. Many students with combined vision and hearing loss are identified under other primary eligibility categories, such as Multiple Disabilities, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, or Visual Impairment. As a result, students may go unidentified as DeafBlind due to limited understanding of the educational impact of combined sensory loss. Improved identification directly supports effective instruction by ensuring teams understand how each learner accesses instruction, environments, communication, relationships, and daily life experiences.