DeafBlind Services

​​The DeafBlind Program coordinates services to individuals who have been identified as having a combination of significant hearing and vision loss. Several staff may work together to provide the services needed by an individual who is DeafBlind. Services may be provided by a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD), a Communications Specialist for hard of hearing consumers, or a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Blind (RCB).  The State Coordinator of DeafBlind Services (SCDB) can help with the process of finding the appropriate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Independent Living Counselor, or other staff to facilitate the application for and delivery of appropriate services from the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

DeafBlind Services

DeafBlind Services through the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) include providing assistive technology, employment services and specialized training to help people who are DeafBlind improve the quality and ease of their everyday lives.

Living with hearing and vision loss is challenging, but our specialists can help improve your quality of life. Some of the common problems experienced by individuals with hearing and vision loss include the inability to:

  • Communicate with others
  • Hear various alerts and alarms
  • Understand speech over the phone
  • Understand instructions at work

​​​Adaptive Technology


Assistance may be available to purchase adaptive technology to help the DeafBlind individual live a more independent lifestyle. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living Counselors can help individuals identify the type of equipment that best meets the individual's needs.  In some cases and individual may be referred to the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program, also known as the I Can Connect Program, for assistance in receiving technology to help the individual communicate with others.  

Hearing Aids and Assistive Listening Devices

Assistance may be available to the DeafBlind individual to purchase hearing aids and other assistive listening devices as part of the individual's Vocational Rehabilitation plan or Independent Living plan.  Additional assistance with hearing aids and hearing aid repair may be available through our KATS Network.

Job Placement

If vision and hearing loss has prevented the DeafBlind individual from finding or keeping a job, services provided through our Vocational Rehabilitation Services might be of assistance. The services the individual receives are based on the individual's needs and are designed to help reach the individual's job goal.

Specialized Training

If the individual has combined vision and hearing loss, the individual's needs are unique. DeafBlind Services can provide specialized training in the following areas:

  • Braille
  • Safe Travel
  • Adaptive technology
  • Low-vision aids
  • Amplified and tactile devices
  • Communication skills
  • Training required to get or keep a job
  • Personal Futures Planning (PFP)
  • Support Service Provider (SSP)

OVR also works closely with the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) in order to provide a variety of assessments, training, and other services some of which are available in state from a HKNC DeafBlind Specialist.

Additional Resources:

DeafBlind Services also works with the following resources and agencies.

Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS)
Michelle Niehaus
502-782-6181

Kentucky Deaf-Blind Project for persons and families from birth to 22 years of age
Donna Carpenter
859-257-6063

Helen Keller National Center

iCanConnect National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program

KATS Network

Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

​​​​Need​ more help? Contact us

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Central Office
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street 4th Floor NE
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-4440
800-372-7172 (V/TTY)

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