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Every year, the third week of June is designated as Deafblind Awareness Week. This week aims to raise awareness and understanding about the critical issues faced by the deafblind community. It also commemorates Helen Keller, whose birthday is June 27, 1880. Keller was a remarkable advocate and educator, becoming the first Deafblind person to earn a college degree in the United States in 1904. She significantly contributed to raising public awareness about individuals with combined hearing and vision loss.
To honor Deafblind Awareness Week, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Blind Children’s Program will host an art show and celebration from 9 a.m. to 12:30 on June 25 at the North Austin Complex located at 4601 W. Guadalupe Street in Austin, Texas. The reception will be held in training rooms 1.401-1.404.
This year’s theme is “Building Community Through Connection” and the event will feature community members, community partners, and Blind Children’s Program participants who are Deafblind sharing their experiences of combined vision and hearing loss. The event will be open for the public to view the art and browse exhibitor tables with resources. Art shown at this event will remain on display in the North Austin Complex first-floor corridor from June 26 through July 25.
To learn more about services available for children who are deafblind, please visit the HHSC Blind Children’s Program webpage. In Governor Greg Abbott’s proclamation, he stated, “Though much progress has been made, our work is far from finished. Awareness, advocacy, and continued investment remain critical if we are to ensure that Deafblind people can thrive.”
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