DeafBlind individuals face unique barriers to employment that are often misunderstood or overlooked. One of the most critical areas to address is work readiness, especially considering that many individuals have missed out on key information due to reduced access to incidental learning. From understanding workplace norms to navigating communication breakdowns, these gaps are not a reflection of intelligence, but rather a result of reduced access to visual and auditory information. This module provides VR counselors and employment specialists with strategies to recognize, assess, and support work readiness development in a way that is empowering, individualized, and effective.      

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this module, VR counselors & other employment related specialists will: 

•       Recognize the unique barriers DeafBlind individuals face in building work readiness skills.
•      Identify and apply strategies to support employment success.
•       Modify existing curricula to meet the unique needs of DeafBlind individuals
•      Assess readiness while considering the impacts of dual sensory loss.
•      And strengthen your ability to support self-advocacy.