To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate
Expand Programs and Choices for DeafBlind People
Now there is only one national training center for DeafBlind people: Helen Keller National Center (HKNC). Their money comes from a line-item congressional budget. This means that other agencies and organizations can't use that money to set up training programs to work with DeafBlind people. Please sign this petition to tell congress to change the language in the appropriation bill to allow for competitive grant applications (more agencies and programs can apply for the money, not just HKNC).
Why is this important?
DeafBlind individuals, particularly those who use Tactile ASL and are interested in culturally and linguistically affirmative DeafBlind services (the DeafBlind Way) experience oppression at the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC). DeafBlind individuals still attend training at HKNC because there are no other programs to choose from. This is because funding is specifically set up by congress for HKNC. If congress makes this funding (money) available for multiple organizations/agencies (apply for grants), it will open the door to competitive programs. Having competition encourages innovation (new ideas and technology), accountability (making sure money is managed the right way, making sure people are not oppressed), and opportunities for DeafBlind Self-Representation (DeafBlind leadership).