A child at the local level can be referred to the census with a non-categorical or other disability label. Referrals to the census should only be made for those students receiving specially designed instruction and support services from special education. Not by Federal law, but it is preferred practice in Iowa for families to be included in the decision-making process to refer. It is important they understand what benefits are available to them as well as school personnel with a referral. So families can be assured that their son or daughter receives appropriate services from educators and other service personnel.
Assessment is crucial at every step of the way.
This potential isolation is one important reason why it is necessary to engage the services of persons familiar with the combination of both blindness and deafness when planning an educational program for a child who is deaf-blind. Doing so will help a child or youth with these disabilities receive an education which maximizes her or his potential for learning and for meaningful contact with her or his environment. The earlier these services can be obtained, the better for the child. The Census is updated on a yearly basis. Infants and toddlers can be referred to the Census on a conditional basis particularly if vision and hearing tests are inconclusive or if the child is not vision and hearing impaired at the present time but, has a known syndrome which will eventually lead to vision and hearing loss.