Tennessee Deaf-Blind Project

Deafblindness is a rare condition consisting of combined hearing and vision loss. Individuals typically have some degree of hearing and/or vision. They may face unique challenges in communication, learning and mobility.

Tennessee Deaf-Blind Project (TNDB) is a federally funded program that informs and trains families, educators and other professionals. Its goal is to improve outcomes for those ages birth through 21 with combined hearing and vision loss.

Services may be free to anyone from birth to age 21 who has both vision and hearing losses. Services include on-site consultations, training workshops and conferences, educational and functional planning and resource referrals.

Tennessee Deaf-Blind Project (TNDB) can help your child who has both vision and hearing problems. We provide information, resources and training that reflect best practices in the field of deafblindness. We can relieve many of your worries as we provide information about your child’s diagnosis.

TNDB provides our free services year-round upon your request or that early intervention providers, school personnel or other professionals working with you and your child.

Once your child has a referral to the TNDB, a project staff member will contact you to arrange a visit at your home or another location convenient to you. We will discuss how our project may be able to support you and provide resources.

You may need an onsite consultation at your child’s school or community setting. Its purpose is to identify how TNDB can provide support that is right for your child, together with your family and educational team members.

We can teach you how to help your child learn, communicate, play and grow.

We recognize the value of parent-to-parent contact. If you request, we will connect you with other families of children who are deaf-blind. You will have opportunities to meet with other parents when attending project-sponsored trainings.