The combined loss of both hearing and vision, a condition known as deafblindness, presents unique communication challenges that standard visual or auditory methods cannot address. This dual sensory loss is highly individualized, meaning the specific communication approach depends heavily on the person’s residual hearing or vision, the age of onset, and the underlying cause of the condition. For individuals who are deafblind, communication relies primarily on the sense of touch, transforming language from a visual or auditory experience into a tactile one. The methods used are diverse, ranging from direct physical contact and specialized sign language techniques to modern assistive technologies and the support of trained human professionals.
Core Methods of Tactile Communication
Tactile communication involves direct, physical contact where the hands become the primary pathway for receiving and expressing information. One common approach is Tactile Sign Language, an adaptation of a visual sign language (such as American Sign Language) interpreted through touch. The deafblind individual places their hands on top of the signer’s hands to feel the shape, movement, and location of the signs. This hand-over-hand technique allows the receiver to perceive the language’s structure through tactile senses.
Another method is fingerspelling, where words are spelled out letter by letter directly onto the receiver’s hand. This can be done using the Deafblind Manual Alphabet or by tracing block capital letters onto the palm, known as Print-on-Palm. The Deafblind Manual Alphabet uses specific hand positions for each letter, while Print-on-Palm allows communication with those familiar only with the printed alphabet.
A specialized technique is the Tadoma method, where the deafblind person places a hand on the speaker’s face to feel the vibrations of the vocal cords and the movements of the lips and jaw. The thumb often rests on the speaker’s lips, with the fingers spread across the cheek and throat to perceive the physical nuances of speech production.
Tracking is utilized by individuals with a small remaining field of vision, where they hold the signer’s wrist or forearm to keep their gaze focused on the signing space. This physical connection helps the receiver visually follow the signs and provides additional tactile information. More recently, Pro-Tactile language has emerged, which uses touch on various parts of the body (such as the arm or back) to convey environmental information, emotional cues, and conversational feedback.
Specialized Assistive Technology
Technology has created new avenues for communication by converting digital text into a tactile format. The most widespread tool is the refreshable Braille display, an electro-mechanical device that allows a deafblind person to read text from a computer screen or smartphone. This device features a line of cells where tiny rounded pins are electronically raised and lowered to form Braille characters, refreshing continuously as the user navigates the digital text.
These displays typically range from 20 to 80 cells and connect to computers via USB or Bluetooth, working with screen reader software. The Braille display translates screen content into a quiet, physical output, useful for tasks requiring attention to formatting, such as coding or proofreading.
The mechanism powering these displays often involves the piezo effect, where specific crystals expand when a voltage is applied, pushing the pins up to form the Braille dots. This allows for a temporary, dynamic display of text updated from the electronic source. Portable models can function as standalone note-takers, storing electronic documents the deafblind individual can access without a connected computer. These tools grant access to emails, websites, and documents that would otherwise be inaccessible.
The Role of Human Support and Interveners
Beyond mechanical tools and language methods, human support ensures consistent access to communication and the environment. This support is often provided by a trained professional known as an Intervener or Support Service Provider (SSP). The intervener works one-on-one with the deafblind individual, acting as their eyes and ears to facilitate access to information unavailable through their limited sensory channels.
The intervener is proficient in the individual’s preferred communication method (e.g., tactile sign language or print-on-palm), interpreting conversations in real-time. They also provide environmental information, such as describing the layout of a room, identifying who is present, or conveying the mood of a group. This is often done using tactile cues—light touches on the body that convey non-verbal information, a form of haptic communication.
These professionals are trained to provide a link between the individual and the world, facilitating concept development and social interaction. They help the person navigate their surroundings and maintain social connections by relaying visual and auditory details into a tactile format. The intervener’s role focuses on promoting independence and ensuring the deafblind individual has full access to their educational and community environment.