Indiana DeafBlind Census Form
The Indiana DeafBlind Services Project is responsible for conducting the federally required annual count of Indiana infants, toddlers, children and youth who are deaf-blind or are at risk for deafblindness. The census information is vital to planning and implementing services for deafblind children and young adults, their families, and educators. Although the main registry reporting activities are conducted one time per year, a child may be added or removed from the registry at any time during the year. By reporting a child to the Indiana DeafBlind Services Project Census, the educator, the child, and his or her family are eligible for services from the project free of charge.
The Project compiles the child count information and uses data for program and technical assistance planning. In addition, the project forwards registry information to the National Center on DeafBlindness (NCDB) for the federal deaf-blind registry. Other state and multi-state deaf-blind projects across the United States collect this same data and submit it to NCDB to be compiled into the National DeafBlind Census. Registry information is completely confidential and no names or identifying information is submitted to national child count.
Census Forms and Information
Information & FAQ
Download the INDB Services Brochure
Referral / Registration FAQ
Combined Vision and Hearing Loss:
The Meaning of Deafblindness
This is an INDBS Fact Sheet that discusses the causes of deafblindness, describes the broad range of students who are considered deafblind, and provides typical examples of students who should be reported.
Combined Vision and Hearing Loss: The Meaning of DeafBlindness
Indiana DeafBlind Referral Form
Any parent, family member, service provider, or educator may refer a child who is suspected of having both a vision and hearing impairment to the Project. After the referral is received, project personnel will verify that the child qualifies as deafblind and, if appropriate, add them to the Indiana Census.
Indiana DeafBlind Census FAQ
Who should be reported to the Indiana DeafBlind census?
Any child, birth through 21 years of age, who has a combined vision and hearing loss, including those with additional disabilities should be reported. Persons who are deafblind are not necessarily totally blind and/or totally deaf. Degrees of vision and hearing loss can range from mild to severe, the losses can be functional or include a progressive condition. With any combination of these losses a person may be considered deafblind and should be reported on the census.
What if a child has multiple disabilities that include vision and hearing problems?
Please complete a census form for all students who have vision and hearing problems, regardless of the presence or absence of additional disabilities. Over 90% of children who are deaf-blind have additional disabilities.