2020 National Deaf-Blind Child Count Report - Suggested citation National Center on Deaf-Blindness 2022

Oct 15, 2026

2020 National Deaf-Blind Child Count Report provides a structured national overview of deaf-blind children counts, including methods for data collection and key comparisons with prior child counts. The report examines under-counting impacts on services and supports and summarizes essential findings from population demographics, state totals, age, race/ethnicity, gender, and optional primary language in the home. It also details documented hearing and vision loss, related assistive devices and technologies, etiologies, additional disabilities, and Part C and Part B IDEA-reported categories and educational environments during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages81

Reading Time3 h 24 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Data Collection

Two Child Counts Compared

Under-Counting Impacts Services and Supports

Key Takeaways from the 2020 National Deaf-Blind Child Count

Overview of Deaf-Blindness

Understanding the Report Data

Data Considerations

Data Collection during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Overall Population Demographics

State Child Count Totals

Age of Child

Race/Ethnicity

Gender

Primary Language in the Home (Optional Reporting)

Documented Hearing and Vision Loss

Summary of Vision Loss Data

Summary of Hearing Loss Data

Use of Corrective, Assistive Devices

Primary Classification of Vision Impairment

Cortical Visual Impairment

Corrective Lenses

Primary Classification of Hearing Impairment

Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Neuropathy

Cochlear Implant

Assistive Listening Devices

Additional Assistive Technology

Etiologies

Primary Identified Etiology

Hereditary Syndromes/Disorders

Prenatal/Congenital Complications

Postnatal/Non-Congenital Complications

Other Etiologies

Additional Disabilities

Part C Information

IDEA Part C Reported Category

Early Intervention Setting (Ages Birth through 2)

Part B Information

Disability Category

Educational Environment

IDEA Part B Reported Category (Table 1 of 2)

IDEA Part B Reported Category (Table 2 of 2)

Educational Environments: Early Childhood Special Education (3-5) (Table 1 of 2)

Educational Environments: Early Childhood Special Education (3-5) (Table 2 of 2)

2020 National Deaf-Blind Child Count Report National Center on Deaf-Blindness February 2022 Suggested citation: National Center on Deaf-Blindness. (2022 ) . 2020 National Deaf-Blind Child Count Report. [https://www.nationaldb.org/products/national-child-count/report-2020](https://www.nationaldb.org/products/national-child-count/report-2020) Reports from previous years and interactive data maps are available on NCDB's National Child Count webpage. If you have questions, [contact support@nationaldb.org](contact support@nationaldb.org). The contents of this publication were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, \#H326T180026 . However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Susan Weigert. Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 Data Collection .................................................................................................. 1 Two Child Counts Compared .............................................................................. 1 Under-Counting Impacts Services and Supports ................................................... 2 Key Takeaways from the 2020 National Deaf-Blind Child Count ............................ 2 Overview of Deaf-Blindness ................................................................................ 2 Understanding the Report Data .......................................................................... 3 Data Considerations ........................................................................................... 3 Data Collection during the Covid-19 Pandemic ..................................................... 4 Overall Population Demographics ........................................................................... 4 State Child Count Totals ..................................................................................... 5 Age of Child ...................................................................................................... 6 Race/Ethnicity ................................................................................................... 8 Gender............................................................................................................ 11 Primary Language in the Home (Optional Reporting) ......................................... 13 Documented Hearing and Vision Loss ................................................................... 14 Summary of Vision Loss Data ........................................................................... 14 Summary of Hearing Loss Data ........................................................................ 14 Use of Corrective, Assistive Devices .................................................................. 15 Primary Classification of Vision Impairment ....................................................... 16 Cortical Visual Impairment ............................................................................... 19 Corrective Lenses ............................................................................................ 20 Primary Classification of Hearing Impairment .................................................... 22 Central Auditory Processing Disorder ................................................................ 25 Auditory Neuropathy ........................................................................................ 26 Cochlear Implant ............................................................................................. 27 Assistive Listening Devices ............................................................................... 29 Additional Assistive Technology ........................................................................ 30 Etiologies.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the 2020 National Deaf-Blind Child Count Report?

It presents a national overview of deaf-blind child counts, including how data were collected and what the 2020 results show. The report also highlights key takeaways and explains the effects of under-counting on services and supports.

How does the report compare the 2020 child counts with previous years?

It includes a section comparing two child counts, followed by analysis of under-counting impacts. The report also notes that earlier years and interactive data maps are available through NCDB’s National Child Count webpage.

What categories of information are covered about hearing, vision, and additional needs?

The report summarizes documented vision and hearing loss, use of corrective and assistive devices, primary classifications (including specific vision and hearing impairment types), etiologies, and additional disabilities. It further covers IDEA Part C and Part B reported categories and related educational environments.

Oct 15, 2026

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