Wearable touch tools to teach number concepts to DeafBlind people
Official title: Evaluating the rehabilitative potential of tactile number expressions for multisensory vision and hearing loss using wearable haptics
Funded at Gallaudet University · NIH-11166621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses wearable haptic (touch) devices and a tactile language approach to teach number ideas to children and adults who are DeafBlind.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Gallaudet University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $421,739 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033761-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166621 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with congenital combined vision and hearing loss (DeafBlind) who have delays in early language, and potentially DeafBlind adults involved in tactile-language training.
✕Less likely to help
People with only single sensory loss (only blind or only deaf), those without sufficient tactile sensitivity, or those unable/unwilling to wear haptic devices may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
As a caregiver or person who is DeafBlind, this work would introduce number expressions through touch using wearable haptic devices and Protactile-inspired interactions. Researchers will train users with tactile signals linked to number concepts and everyday routines to support early language and cognitive skills. The project focuses especially on congenitally DeafBlind children who miss typical visual and auditory language input, but also draws on practices used by DeafBlind adults. Progress will be measured by how well participants learn and use these tactile number expressions in daily activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could give DeafBlind children an accessible way to learn early language and number concepts, improving communication, learning, and daily living milestones.
How similar studies have gone: This approach builds on recent adult Protactile practices and early wearable-haptics work but is relatively novel for teaching language and numbers to congenitally DeafBlind children, with limited prior clinical success reported.
Where this research is happening
-
Gallaudet University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gagne, Deanna — Gallaudet University
- Study coordinator: Gagne, Deanna
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.