Teacher of the Deafblind Pilot Program in Texas: Part II
Chris Montgomery, Deafblind Education Specialist, Teacher of the
Visually Impaired, montgomeryc@tsbvi.edu
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
TSBVI Outreach Programs
There are approximately 750 children in the state of Texas with
deafblindness. This is a unique disability which involves a
combined sensory loss. Texas has highly qualified Teachers of the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing and highly qualified Teachers of the
Visually Impaired, each with a community of practice. However,
members of these two teaching disciplines do not necessarily have
training specific to deafblindness. The unique and varied
educational needs of students with deafblindness must be met by
teachers who have specialized training and knowledge in the
combined effects of hearing and vision loss. Although at least two
other states formally recognize the role of teachers of the deafblind
(Utah and Illinois), at this time there is no licensure for a Teacher of
the deafblind (TDB) in the state of Texas.
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