All disabled people have the right to access information and communication in accessible formats. This page centers the expertise of people with sensory disabilities — including Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, and deafblind communities.
Sensory disabilities affect how people perceive and process sensory information — primarily sight and hearing, but also touch, proprioception, and other senses. These disabilities encompass rich cultures, distinct languages, and communities with long histories of organizing and self-determination.
¶ Understanding Sensory Disability
Sensory disabilities include a wide spectrum of experiences. Someone who is profoundly Deaf from birth has a different relationship with disability than someone who lost hearing as an adult. Someone with low vision navigates differently than someone who is totally blind.
Deaf (capital D) vs. deaf (lowercase d):
- Deaf refers to a cultural and linguistic identity, particularly those who use sign language and identify with Deaf culture
- deaf (lowercase) describes the audiological condition of not hearing
- Many people in the Deaf community don't consider themselves "disabled" — they are a linguistic minority
- Others identify as both Deaf and disabled
- Respect how individuals identify
Blind vs. Low Vision:
- Blind can refer to total blindness or legal blindness (significant vision loss)
- Low vision describes vision loss that can't be fully corrected with glasses but isn't total blindness
- Many legally blind people have some usable vision
- Terms like "visually impaired" are used in some contexts but not preferred by everyone
Deafblind:
- Combined hearing and vision loss — not necessarily total loss of both
- A distinct disability with its own community, communication methods, and culture
- Often written as one word: deafblind or DeafBlind
¶ Conditions and Experiences
¶ Deafness and Hearing Loss
¶ Deaf Community and Culture
The Deaf community is a vibrant linguistic and cultural minority with:
- Sign languages: Complete natural languages (ASL, BSL, LSF, Auslan, and hundreds more)
- Deaf culture: Shared values, art, literature, humor, and social norms
- Deaf history: Rich history of organizing, Deaf schools, and resistance to oralism
- Deaf gain: The perspective that Deafness provides unique benefits and experiences, not just loss
Organizations (Deaf-led):
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD) — United States
- British Deaf Association (BDA) — United Kingdom
- World Federation of the Deaf — International
- Deaf community organizations exist in virtually every country
People with some hearing ability who may:
- Use hearing aids or cochlear implants
- Communicate primarily through spoken language
- Identify as Hard of Hearing (HoH), late-deafened, or other terms
- Move between Deaf and hearing worlds
Some hard of hearing people learn sign language; others don't. Both are valid.
People who lose hearing after acquiring spoken language face unique challenges:
- Relearning communication strategies
- Potential isolation from both hearing and Deaf communities
- Adjustment to different way of navigating the world
Organizations: Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA)
- Congenital deafness: Present from birth (genetic, prenatal causes, etc.)
- Noise-induced hearing loss: From occupational or recreational noise exposure
- Presbycusis: Age-related hearing loss
- Ménière's disease: Affects hearing and balance
- Ototoxicity: Hearing loss from medications
- Auditory processing disorders: Difficulty processing what's heard despite normal hearing tests
Typical specialists: Audiologist, ENT (otolaryngologist), Deaf/HoH services providers
¶ Blindness and Vision Loss
The blind community has organized for over a century for:
- Independence and self-determination
- Access to education and employment
- Accessible technology and formats
- Opposition to low expectations and paternalism
"Blindness is not the problem": Many blind people and organizations emphasize that with proper training, accommodations, and accessible environments, blind people can do virtually anything — the barriers are attitudinal and environmental, not inherent.
Organizations (blind-led):
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB) — United States, emphasizes independence and high expectations
- American Council of the Blind (ACB) — United States
- Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) — United Kingdom
- World Blind Union — International
- National organizations exist in most countries
People with low vision have significant visual limitations that affect daily life but retain some usable vision. Needs vary widely:
- Some read large print; others use screen readers
- Some navigate visually; others use white canes
- Lighting, contrast, and magnification needs are individual
- Retinitis pigmentosa (RP): Progressive loss of peripheral vision, often leading to tunnel vision or blindness
- Macular degeneration: Affects central vision, more common in older adults
- Glaucoma: Pressure damage to optic nerve, often progressive
- Diabetic retinopathy: Vision damage from diabetes
- Cataracts: Clouding of lens, often surgically treatable
- Optic neuritis: Inflammation of optic nerve
- Congenital blindness: Present from birth
- Cortical visual impairment (CVI): Brain-based vision impairment
Typical specialists: Ophthalmologist, optometrist (low vision specialist), orientation and mobility specialist, vision rehabilitation therapist
Deafblind people experience combined hearing and vision loss. This is not simply "deaf + blind" but a distinct disability requiring specific accommodations and communication methods.
- Tactile sign language: Signing into someone's hands
- Pro-tactile: Movement growing within DeafBlind community emphasizing tactile information and connection
- Print on palm: Writing letters on someone's palm
- Braille: Tactile reading/writing system
- Tadoma: Feeling speech vibrations on speaker's face
- Close vision signing: Sign language viewed at close range with remaining vision
- Support Service Providers (SSPs): Trained guides who provide visual and environmental information
- Usher syndrome: Genetic condition; most common cause of deafblindness
- CHARGE syndrome: Congenital condition affecting multiple systems
- Rubella (congenital): If mother had rubella during pregnancy
- Acquired: Separate causes affecting both hearing and vision
- Age-related: Combined age-related vision and hearing loss
Organizations (DeafBlind-led):
- National DeafBlind Association (NDBA) — United States
- Deafblind UK — United Kingdom
- World Federation of the Deafblind — International
Difficulty processing and responding to sensory information. May involve:
- Hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) to sounds, light, touch, textures
- Hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) requiring more sensory input
- Often co-occurs with autism, ADHD, and other conditions
See Neurodivergence for more.
Affect balance and spatial orientation:
- Ménière's disease: Episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus
- BPPV: Positional vertigo
- Vestibular neuritis: Inner ear inflammation affecting balance
Communication access:
- ADA requires effective communication accommodations (interpreters, captioning, etc.)
- Video Relay Service (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) available
- Captioned telephones through various programs
Services:
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies provide training and services
- State commissions/agencies for Deaf and blind individuals
- Centers for Independent Living often have Deaf/blind services
Benefits:
- SSDI and SSI
- Some states have specific blind pension programs
- Social Security has specific rules for statutory blindness
Education:
- Deaf schools (residential and day programs)
- Schools for the blind
- Mainstream schools with IEPs/504 plans
- See K-12 Education and IDEA
Technology:
- Screen reader training available through rehab agencies and nonprofits
- NFB offers training centers with residential programs
- Assistive technology loan programs in many states
Services:
- Provincial programs for Deaf and blind individuals
- CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) provides services
- Provincial schools for Deaf students
- ASL and LSQ (Langue des Signes Québécoise) are both used
Benefits:
- Canada Pension Plan Disability
- Provincial disability assistance
- Disability Tax Credit
- See Canada Benefits
Organizations:
- Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD)
- CNIB Foundation
- DeafBlind Ontario Services and similar provincial organizations
Services:
- NHS audiology and ophthalmology services
- Social services sensory teams in some areas
- Guide Dogs provides guide dog services and other support
- Regional Deaf associations and clubs
Benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
- Access to Work for employment accommodations
- See UK Benefits
Communication access:
- BSL recognized as a language (2022 BSL Act)
- Access to Work can fund interpreters
- Relay UK for phone access
Organizations:
- British Deaf Association (BDA)
- Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
- Deafblind UK
- Action on Hearing Loss (now part of RNIB)
Services:
- NDIS covers supports for eligible people
- Deaf Australia and Blind Citizens Australia provide advocacy
- Auslan (Australian Sign Language) interpreting services
- Guide Dogs organizations in each state
NDIS and sensory disabilities:
- Can fund interpreters, Auslan training for family, assistive technology
- Guide dogs and their training
- Orientation and mobility training
- Home modifications
- See Australia Benefits
Organizations:
- Deaf Australia (Deaf-led)
- Blind Citizens Australia (blind-led)
- Able Australia (deafblind services)
Communication access varies dramatically:
- Some countries have strong sign language recognition; others don't
- Availability of interpreters ranges from excellent to nonexistent
- Braille and accessible formats may be limited
UN CRPD relevant articles:
- Article 9: Accessibility
- Article 21: Freedom of expression and access to information
- Article 24: Education (including sign language instruction)
World Federation of the Deaf has member associations in 130+ countries.
World Blind Union represents blind organizations globally.
See International Rights.
¶ For Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Sign language interpreters:
- Professional interpreters should be certified (RID in US, NRCPD in UK, etc.)
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is an option but not appropriate for all situations
- You have the right to qualified interpreters in healthcare, legal, employment settings
Captioning:
- CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation): Real-time captioning by stenographer
- Auto-captioning: Improving but still error-prone
- Movie theater captioning devices and open-captioned screenings
Assistive listening devices:
- Hearing loops (telecoil compatible)
- FM systems
- Captioned phones
¶ For Blind and Low Vision People
Screen readers: JAWS, NVDA (free), VoiceOver (Apple), TalkBack (Android)
Braille: Can be learned at any age; contracted vs. uncontracted braille
Magnification: Screen magnifiers, handheld magnifiers, CCTV magnifiers
Accessible formats: Large print, audio, braille, electronic (accessible PDF, EPUB)
Navigation:
- White canes (symbol cane, guide cane, long cane)
- Guide dogs
- GPS apps and wayfinding technology
- Orientation and mobility training
Support Service Providers (SSPs): Guide and provide environmental information
Communication methods: Vary by individual — tactile signing, pro-tactile, print on palm, braille
Intervenors: In Canada and some other countries, trained specialists who provide communication and environmental access
¶ Technology and Accessibility
¶ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Technology
- Video phones and VRS for phone calls
- Captioned phones
- Visual/vibrating alerts for doorbells, alarms, baby monitors
- Hearing aids and cochlear implants (personal choice — not for everyone)
- Speech-to-text apps
- See Mobile & OS Accessibility
¶ Blind and Low Vision Technology
- Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
- Screen magnification software
- Braille displays (refreshable braille)
- Accessible GPS and navigation apps
- OCR apps for reading print
- Smart home technology with voice control
- See Web Accessibility and Mobile & OS Accessibility
- Braille displays with screen readers
- Screen reader with braille output
- Tactile graphics
- Specialized communication devices
Multiple approaches exist (with strong debates within Deaf community):
Bilingual-bicultural (Bi-Bi): Sign language as first language, written/spoken language as second; culturally Deaf environment
Oral/aural approach: Emphasizes spoken language, lipreading, residual hearing
Total communication: Combination of methods
Mainstream with support: Deaf students in hearing schools with interpreters/services
Deaf schools: Schools specifically for Deaf students; centers of Deaf culture
The community perspective: Many Deaf adults advocate strongly for sign language access and Deaf cultural connection, regardless of educational setting.
Skills for success:
- Braille literacy
- Orientation and mobility
- Assistive technology
- Non-visual techniques for daily living
Educational settings: Schools for the blind, mainstream schools with vision services, or combination
The community perspective: Organizations like NFB emphasize high expectations, proper training, and the message that "blindness is not the problem."
See K-12 Education, Higher Education.
¶ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employment
Common accommodations:
- Sign language interpreters for meetings, trainings
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) where appropriate
- Captioning for videos and meetings
- Visual alerts and notification systems
- Email/text communication options
Barriers and solutions:
- Bias about communication abilities → demonstrate competence
- Inaccessible meetings → request accommodations early
- Phone-heavy positions → discuss alternatives
Common accommodations:
- Screen reader access to all software
- Accessible documents (tagged PDFs, accessible formats)
- Braille or large print materials
- Lighting and workspace arrangements
- Human reader for inaccessible materials (while pushing for accessible alternatives)
NFB's philosophy: Blind people can work in virtually any field with proper training and accommodations.
See Workplace Accommodations, Employment Rights by Country.
¶ Navigation and Mobility
Blind/Low Vision:
- White cane techniques
- Guide dogs (from accredited schools)
- GPS and wayfinding apps
- Orientation and mobility training
- Learning routes and landmarks
Deaf/Hard of Hearing:
- Visual awareness of surroundings
- Accessible information in transit (visual announcements)
- Communication access in transit situations
See Mobility Aids, Service Animals.
Both blind and Deaf communities emphasize that with proper skills and tools, daily living is fully achievable:
- Cooking and kitchen organization (tactile and visual systems)
- Managing finances and paperwork
- Shopping and errands
- Parenting (yes, Deaf and blind parents exist and thrive)
- Home maintenance
See Daily Living.
- Black Deaf community has distinct history and culture, including Black ASL
- Indigenous Deaf communities often face additional barriers
- Racist assumptions compound with audism
- Organizations: National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA), Intertribal Deaf Council
- Blind Black, Indigenous, and other BIPOC individuals face compounded discrimination
- Healthcare disparities affect vision conditions (diabetic retinopathy rates, etc.)
- National Federation of the Blind has diversity initiatives
¶ LGBTQ+ Deaf and Blind People
- Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
- Queer blind communities online
- Intersecting marginalization and community
Some Deaf people have additional disabilities. The term "DeafDisabled" or "Deaf+" recognizes these intersections while maintaining Deaf identity.
See Intersectionality section.
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Myth: Deaf people can't do X.
Reality: Deaf people are doctors, lawyers, pilots, parents, athletes, artists, and everything else.
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Myth: Cochlear implants "fix" deafness.
Reality: CIs are tools some people choose; they don't make someone hearing or eliminate Deaf identity.
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Myth: Deaf people want to be hearing.
Reality: Many Deaf people are proud of their identity and wouldn't choose to be hearing.
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Myth: Blind people live in darkness.
Reality: Most blind people have some vision; and "darkness" isn't scary — inaccessibility is.
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Myth: Blind people can't live independently.
Reality: With proper training and accessible environments, blind people live fully independent lives.
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Myth: Blindness is the worst thing that could happen.
Reality: Blind people consistently report high quality of life; the biggest barriers are societal.
- Connect with others — Deaf community, late-deafened groups, or HoH networks
- Explore communication options — No one right answer; find what works for you
- Learn about your rights to accommodations
- Consider learning sign language — It opens doors to community and culture
- Grieve if you need to — Hearing loss can involve grief; that's okay
- Know that you can thrive — Deaf and HoH people live full, rich lives
- Get proper training — Orientation and mobility, assistive technology, daily living skills
- Connect with the blind community — NFB, ACB, or local blind organizations
- Learn the skills — Blindness skills enable independence
- Challenge low expectations — Including your own, initially
- Know that blindness is not a tragedy — With proper skills and support, you can continue to do what matters to you
- Connect with deafblind community — You are not alone
- Explore communication methods — Many options exist
- Learn about SSPs and how to access them
- Advocate for your access needs — They're specific to deafblindness
- Know your rights — Deafblind people have the same rights to access and accommodations
- 1880 Milan Conference: Oralist educators banned sign language in Deaf education — Deaf community has been fighting back ever since
- DPN (Deaf President Now): 1988 Gallaudet University protest for Deaf leadership
- Ongoing fights: ASL recognition, interpreter access, captioning, Deaf education
- National Federation of the Blind (founded 1940): Largest blind organization, emphasizing independence
- Structured Discovery Training: Intensive blindness skills programs
- Ongoing fights: Accessible technology, Braille literacy, employment discrimination
- Accessible video conferencing
- Healthcare communication access
- Education quality and approach
- Employment discrimination
- Affordable technology
- Accessible transportation
See History of Disability Rights, Get Involved.