DeafBlind Awareness Week was first celebrated in 1984, when President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation in recognition of the birth of Helen Keller. Since then, DeafBlind Awareness Week has been used as a time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the DeafBlind community, while also recognizing the work still to be done.
The Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) issued its SSP/Co-Navigator Report in 2020 on the further work needed in our state to empower DeafBlind Texans to live more independently.
As Governor Abbott states in his proclamation, “I encourage all Texans to participate in this year’s DeafBlindness awareness campaign by commemorating Helen Keller’s life and recognizing this year’s campaign theme... by reflecting on the many contributions of Texans with multisensory disabilities and how we can all better support our fellow Texans.” The Committee encourages our state’s leaders to fully support DeafBlind Texans in 2021.
The 2021 theme for the national DeafBlind Awareness Week is "DeafBlind Employees Can Help Businesses Grow with Unique Insights and Perspectives.” The Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) notes, "of all the obstacles people who are DeafBlind overcome, misconceptions don't have to be one of them." Many thrive in their everyday lives at work, at play, and at home. They work as computer programmers, teachers, and television hosts! According to HKNC, companies with people who are DeafBlind are more productive, have higher company morale, and are nearly twice as likely to be innovative. By providing the right support, we can make Texas more accessible and inclusive for people who are DeafBlind.
What is DeafBlindness?
DeafBlindness encompasses a range of visual and auditory impairments. For more information on DeafBlindness, check out some of the great organizations listed below:
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