ABSTRACT
Chapter 12 focuses on developmental characteristics and methods of working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and children with blindness and other visual impairments. Historically, children who are deaf and blind have been treated poorly in different societies. However, within the last couple of centuries, educators have devoted efforts to designing methods of education for these children. Advances in technology and medical science have enabled children with deafness and blindness to participate in schools and communities along with their typical peers and achieve goals like those of their peers. Educating children with deafness requires specific training in deaf education and the use of technologies developed for children with hearing loss. Working with children who are deaf also requires sensitivity to values within the Deaf community. Working with children with visual impairment requires knowledge of specific methods, receiving training in orientation and mobility teaching, knowing the braille system, and the use of tactile materials.
