•  Dual-Sensory Impaired (DSI)

    Definition: A student who has dual-sensory impairments affecting both vision and hearing, the combination of which causes a serious impairment in the abilities to acquire information, communicate, or function within the environment, or who has a degenerative condition which will lead to such an impairment.

    Impact of Dual-Sensory Impairment

    It is widely accepted that about 80% of what we learn is acquired through vision and another 19% is experienced through hearing.  When these two major channels are affected, development can be impacted in many areas:

    • communication, language, and literacy
    • movement and motor skills
    • cognitive / intellectual development
    • emotional, behavioral, and social skills
    • participation in daily living, including recreation and leisure activities
    • employment and transition to adult life

     

    Florida Virgin Island Deaf-Blind Collaborative (FAVI)

    The FAVI Deaf-Blind Collaborative is a technical assistance and dissemination project funded by the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

    A child qualifies for services from FAVI if they are eligible for the Dual-Sensory Impaired Program. If a child is suspected of being Dual-Sensory Impaired, they can be referred to FAVI and receive services for one year or until determined eligible for DSI.
     
    Technical Assistance (TA) strategies include:
    • Site visits / classroom
    • Home / community visits
    • Face-to-face consultation
    • Telephone / email / distance consultation
    • Loan of Materials – research/evidence based published materials
    • In-service training workshops
    • Statewide training workshops
    • Information regarding state and national resources
    • Any combination of the above strategies

    Any family member or professional may report a child or young adult ( ages birth through 21) to the Florida deaf-blind registry
    by contacting FAVI. Click Here