Congresswoman April McClain Delaney Introduces Her First Bill as a Member of Congress in Support of the Deafblind Community
Congresswoman April McClain Delaney Introduces Her First Bill as a Member of Congress in Support of the Deafblind Community
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney introduced her first bill as a Member of Congress, the Bipartisan Deafblind Disabled Americans Table Approximation (DATA) Act, legislation that would improve the federal government’s ability to identify and support Americans who are deafblind by enhancing how data is collected and reported on this often-overlooked community. This week holds special relevance as the birthday week of Anne Sullivan Macy, the pioneering educator of deafblind American, Helen Keller.
Maryland is home to a strong and vibrant deafblind community, including in Congresswoman McClain Delaney’s district, which includes the Maryland School for the Deaf—a nationally respected institution that provides educational opportunities to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Individuals who are deafblind—experiencing both hearing and vision loss—face unique challenges in communication, education, employment and independent living. Yet, national estimates of individuals experiencing deafblindness vary wildly, ranging from 40,000 to 100,000 individuals.
Unlike the decennial Census, the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey (ACS) collects self-reported data on several types of disabilities, including hearing and vision difficulties. However, it currently publishes data only by individual disability category, without identifying individuals who experience both, which would approximate the deafblind population and allow local, state and federal governments to more accurately plan and deliver essential services.
“The deafblind community has long been a leader in advocacy and innovation, but like so many others, they are too often left out of the data that drives federal programs and resources,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “The Deafblind DATA Act is a commonsense, bipartisan effort to make the federal government more responsive and informed about the needs of deafblind Americans. Better data means better policy—and better outcomes.”
The Deafblind Disabled Americans Table Approximation Act or Deafblind DATA Act would:
- Require the Census Bureau to publish an annual summary table of individuals who report experiencing both hearing and vision difficulty on the ACS;
- Direct the Census Bureau to report to Congress on the feasibility of publishing this data and exploring the possibility of tracking deafblindness as a distinct disability category in future Census surveys.
This legislation is endorsed by leading national and grassroots organizations serving the deafblind community, including the American Association for the DeafBlind (AADB), DeafBlind Community of Texas, Deafblind Community United, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC), National Coalition on Deafblindness, National Family Association for DeafBlind (NFADB), and the National Intervener and Advocate Association (NIAA).
“The Helen Keller National Center strongly endorses the Deafblind DATA Act. We are grateful to Congresswoman McClain Delaney, and all of the bill’s co-sponsors, for their efforts to bring increased awareness to America’s Deafblind population,” said Susan Ruzenski, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Helen Keller National Center. “Collecting this demographic information will lead to greater visibility for this community and a deeper understanding of how organizations like HKNC can offer services to address their needs. We urge Congress to pass this bill and take a vital step toward ensuring equitable access, resources, and representation for individuals who are Deafblind across the nation.”
“The DeafBlind DATA Act is not just about collecting numbers, it’s about acknowledging a community that has too often been overlooked in policy and planning. By improving how we gather and use data, we can ensure that the services and supports offered truly reflect the unique needs of individuals who are DeafBlind and their families. This legislation is a critical step toward more equitable, informed decision-making and a future that provides access for our DeafBlind community,” said Donia Shirley, President, National Family Association for DeafBlind.
“There are already limited services for individuals who are Deaf or Blind—and the challenges are even more severe for those who are Deafblind. It’s heartbreaking to consider how much they’ve had to endure. They truly need—and deserve—more support than most people can imagine. This legislation couldn't come soon enough,” said the Maryland Deaf Community Center Board.
“This is fantastic news—and long overdue. There’s a significant population of Deaf-Blind individuals in states like Maryland, New York, Texas, Florida, and many others. Yes, we absolutely need solid data to ensure they receive the quality of services they deserve,” said Marsha Flowers, Maryland’s 6th District resident and member of and advocate for the deaf community.
Co-sponsors include: Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Cohen (D-TN-09), Crockett (D-TX-30), Don Davis (D-NC-01), Doggett (D-TX-37), Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Goldman (D-NY-10), Fields (D-LA-06), Lawler (R-NY-17), Mannion (D-NY-22), McGarvey (D-KY-03), Mullin (D-CA-15), Norton (D-DC-AL), Takano (D-CA-39), Tlaib (D-MI-12).