What is DeafBlind Awareness Week?
In recognition of the achievements, contributions, and potential of people who are DeafBlind, the Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults (HKNC) celebrates the last week of June as “DeafBlind Awareness Week.” This year, DeafBlind Awareness Week runs June 25-July 1, 2026.
This national advocacy campaign has been observed annually since 1984, when President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation establishing this special week of recognition. The purpose of DeafBlind Awareness Week is to raise public awareness about individuals who have combined hearing and vision loss, a population that spans all ages, backgrounds, and communities across the country.
An estimated 2.4 million Americans experience combined hearing and vision loss — a population that includes individuals who identify as DeafBlind. DeafBlind individuals are educators, advocates, professionals, artists, and leaders who enrich our communities through their unique perspectives, lived experience, and remarkable achievements.
2026 Campaign Theme
Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
Touch is the foundation of connection for the DeafBlind community, from Protactile language, tactile sign language, and haptics to braille, assistive technology, and everyday interactions. Through touch, DeafBlind individuals communicate, navigate, learn, work, and thrive.
But touch also builds bridges of understanding between the DeafBlind community and the broader world. When professionals, providers, family members, and community members learn to connect through accessible communication and respectful interaction, barriers break down and doors open to fuller participation, deeper understanding, and genuine belonging.
Each interaction, whether in a doctor’s office, classroom, workplace, or community space, is an opportunity to build a bridge and demonstrate that meaningful connection transcends traditional communication methods. This year’s campaign celebrates the transformative power of touch and the connections it makes possible across every space we share.
2026 DeafBlind Awareness Week Poster
Visual Description: The 2026 DeafBlind Awareness Week poster, “Connected By Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges,” is a horizontal layout with a white background flowing into layered light blue and navy wave shapes across the lower half. The title runs across the top in bold navy and red type, with the subtitle directly beneath it.
Five photographs are arranged collage-style across the upper portion, each capturing touch as a form of connection. From left to right: a person crouches to place a hand on a black Labrador guide dog; two people engaged in tactile sign language; a seated participant works with a braille display while an instructor’s hand rests on his shoulder; a medical professional gently touches a patient’s arm while an interpreter beside them signs in tactile communication; and a self-defense student uses a white cane in a move with an instructor.
The supporting text reads: “Touch is the foundation of connection for the DeafBlind community. Through Protactile language, tactile sign language, haptics, braille, and assistive technology, DeafBlind individuals communicate, navigate, learn, work, and thrive. Touch can also build bridges with the broader world. When we connect through accessible communication, barriers break down and doors open to meaningful participation and genuine belonging.”
A braille passage of the title and subtitle appears below. The HKNC logo sits at the bottom center, with a QR code linking to helenkeller.org/dbaw2026 in the lower right.
Audio of Poster Description
This audio is generated directly from the visual description
Watch our campaign announcement VLOG in ASL with voiceover
Ashley Benton, Director of Field Services at Helen Keller National Center, shares our 2026 DeafBlind Awareness Week campaign announcement in ASL.
Audio description: A light skinned woman with platinum hair and glasses is signing into the camera.
Hi, I’m Ashley, Director of Field Services at Helen Keller National Center. I’m excited to announce our 2026 DeafBlind Awareness Week campaign has launched. This year’s theme is “Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges.”
So why touch? Because touch is the foundation of connection for the DeafBlind community. Touch is the unifying bridge for reciprocity. Through Protactile language, tactile sign language, haptics, braille, and assistive technology, DeafBlind individuals can communicate, learn, work, and thrive every day.
Join us in learning more. Visit our campaign landing page at www.helenkeller.org/dbaw2026.
More information will be posted regularly so be sure to check out our page.
Audio description: Video fades to an image of two hands connected in tactile sign language. Reads: “Connected by Touch” with the Helen Keller National Center logo on top and HelenKeller.org/DBAW 2026.
[end transcript]
Campaign Resources
Webinars
Two webinars explore this year’s theme through touch-based practice and community knowledge. Both are open to professionals, DeafBlind community members, family members, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding.
Tactile O&M Strategies for DeafBlind Travelers
June 30, 2026 | 2:00-3:30pm ET
A research-informed look at touch-based strategies for DeafBlind Orientation and Mobility instruction. Dr. Amy Parker (Portland State University) and Dr. Tara Brown-Ogilvie (HKNC) will share key findings from their collaborative study, followed by a panel of DeafBlind voices and an O&M specialist discussing how the research connects to lived experience: what helps, what gets in the way, and what practitioners can do differently to support accessible, effective travel instruction.
Audience: Orientation and mobility specialists at all experience levels.
Protactile Philosophy
July 1, 2026 | 3:00-5:00pm ET
A special DeafBlind Awareness Week webinar featuring Protactile trainers Rhonda Voight-Campbell and Roberto Cabrera, co-presenting in Protactile language about the philosophy, culture, and transformative impact of Protactile communication within the DeafBlind community. Through dynamic demonstrations and lived experiences, participants will explore how Protactile fosters connection, autonomy, access, and community through touch. ASL and voice interpreting provided.
Audience: All providers, DeafBlind individuals, and family members.
Free Online Courses
In recognition of DeafBlind Awareness Week 2026, HKNC is offering four online courses free of charge throughout the month of June. Each course connects to this year’s theme, Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, and offers practical knowledge for professionals, providers, and community members who want to communicate and connect more effectively with DeafBlind individuals.
Available Courses
- Haptics: Using Touch to Convey Visual and Environmental Information to People who are DeafBlind. Introductory training in Haptics, covering definitions, history, practical implementation, and specific signal formation and use.
- Overview of Etiologies and Visual Conditions Commonly Associated with Deafblindness. A functional and practical overview of common etiologies and visual conditions associated with deafblindness.
- Ensuring Access to Communication: A Guide for Direct Providers Working or Interacting with Individuals Who Are DeafBlind. Practical guidance on communicating with DeafBlind individuals across modalities, including sign language, speech, text, and methods such as print on palm.
- Guidelines for Working with a Sign Language Interpreter: Specific Considerations for Ensuring Access for DeafBlind Consumers. Tips and strategies for working with sign language interpreters, with specific considerations for ensuring optimal communication access for DeafBlind consumers.
How to Access
Complete the short registration form to receive your free access codes. Codes will be provided on the confirmation page after submission.
Events Across the Country
Communities, organizations, and DeafBlind individuals across the country are hosting events to mark DeafBlind Awareness Week 2026. Below are upcoming events, listed in date order. Most are open to the public; check individual event details for registration requirements and accessibility accommodations.
DeafBlind Awareness Day at the National Ability Center June 19, 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Park City, Utah A day for DeafBlind individuals and their families with USDB, ICC, SSP services, HKNC, and Vocational Rehabilitation. Activities at NAC, lunch, and cotton candy.
NU ASLIE Summer Symposium: Protactile Training Track June 19-21, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts Training for interpreters interested in learning Protactile. CEUs offered. Learn more.
DBAW Reception and Art Show June 24, 2026, Health and Human Services North Austin Complex, Austin, Texas
Iowa DeafBlind Awareness Week June 25 to July 1, 2026, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM daily, Virtual (Zoom link to be provided) Sponsored by the Iowa Department for the Blind. Open to the public for virtual attendance.
Alabama DeafBlind Festival June 25-28, 2026, Tuscumbia Spring Park, Tuscumbia, Alabama Phone: 256-810-4453. Learn more.
DBCM 2026 Helen Keller Birthday Party June 26, 2026, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM CST, Mississippi Library Commission, Jackson, Mississippi (also virtual via YouTube live stream) Hosted by the DeafBlind Community of Mississippi. RSVP: Andre’ Jarreau at DBCM@earthlink.net.
NCRID Conference June 26-27, 2026, Hilton Durham, Durham, North Carolina HKNC is collaborating with NC DSDHH on two featured sessions: DeafBlind: A Different World Experience! (9:45 AM to 11:45 AM EST) and ProTactile 101 (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST). HKNC will also have a booth at the conference. Conference registration.
DeafBlind Awareness Celebration Picnic June 27, 2026, 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Joseph Kohn Training Center, New Brunswick, New Jersey Hosted by DBLNJ and DB CAN NJ. Limited to the first 80 registrants. Registration deadline: June 19, 2026. Register. Questions: Marci at 732-690-2837 or Mrf6015@gmail.com.
DeafBlind Awareness Day Oklahoma Expected June 27, 2026, Metro Tech, 1900 Springlake Drive, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation. Time and final date to be confirmed.
Louisiana DeafBlind Celebration Day June 27, 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, American Legion, Kaplan, Louisiana
DeafBlind Association of Connecticut Cookout June 27, 2026, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, American School for the Deaf, West Hartford, Connecticut $30 per person.
SSP: A Panel and Reflection on Services June 30, 2026, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, Virtual Hosted by Texas Health and Human Services.
GADB DeafBlind Awareness Day Barbeque July 11, 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST, Cypress Grove Pavilion, 5260 Proctor Landing, Acworth, Georgia Hosted by the Georgia Association of DeafBlind. Food, drinks, raffle, games, and swimming. Bring swimsuits, towels, lawn chairs, and cash for games. Parking is limited. RSVP by July 2, 2026. Register. Contact: Amanda Warren (warrenamanda8@gmail.com), Yvette Trevino (lynntrevino32@yahoo.com), or Debi Dee (Purlady63@gmail.com).
Kansas City MO DeafBlind Awareness Day Celebration July 14, 2026, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, EITAS Training Center, 8508 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, Missouri Area service vendors, a presentation by DeafBlind Missourians, and history about Helen Keller. Open to the public.
NC DSDHH DeafBlind Awareness Month at Keeley Park July 18, 2026, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST, Keeley Park, 4100 Keeley Road, McLeansville, North Carolina RSVP and request for communication access: John Sherwood, DeafBlind Services Specialist, DSDHH Greensboro Regional Center. Email: John.Sherwood@dhhs.nc.gov. VP: 336-542-3810.
Vocational Discovery and Development Services Events throughout DeafBlind Awareness Week, various locations in Austin, Texas
Proclamation – Write Your Local Legislator
One of the most impactful ways to recognize DeafBlind Awareness Week in your community is to request an official proclamation from your local elected officials — your Governor, Mayor, Town Supervisor, Congressperson, or other representatives — declaring June 25–July 1, 2026 as DeafBlind Awareness Week in your community.
Proclamations raise public visibility, demonstrate official recognition of the DeafBlind community, and help establish DeafBlind Awareness Week as a recognized observance in your state, city, or region. Your advocacy makes a difference.
Download the 2026 proclamation template below, customize it with your local statistics, and submit it to your officials. If you are submitting as a coalition with other organizations, see the Coalition / Co-Signatory Version below.
Coalition / Co-Signatory Version
Partnering with other organizations to submit a joint proclamation request? This version includes language for multiple organizations to sign on together. Simply fill in your organization names along with the standard placeholders.
Tips for a successful proclamation request:
- Allow as much lead time as possible as many governor’s offices require 4–8 weeks to process requests.
- Personalize your submission with local statistics when available. Your state VR agency or disability services office may have relevant data.
- Most governor’s offices request 4–6 “WHEREAS” clauses. The template is designed to fit within that range.
- Partner with other local DeafBlind and disability organizations to submit a joint request. If submitting as a coalition, use the Coalition / Co-Signatory Version of the template above.
- Share your success! If your proclamation is approved, let us know so we can celebrate and feature it as part of the national campaign.
Still Ahead
Additional resources will be added to this page throughout June:
- Profession-Specific Fact Sheets. Tailored guidance for healthcare providers, educators, employers, and service providers.
- Social Media Toolkit. Graphics, hashtags, and sample posts ready to share.
About Helen Keller National Center
The Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults (HKNC) is the only national program providing information, referral, support, and comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services exclusively to youth and adults who are DeafBlind — as well as to the families and professionals who work with them. Through personalized training in adaptive technology, communication, orientation and mobility, independent living, and vocational services, HKNC prepares participants for meaningful employment and community independence. HKNC’s national network of regional representatives and affiliate agencies serves individuals in every U.S. state and territory.
DeafBlind Awareness Week is coordinated nationally by HKNC each year in honor of Helen Keller’s birthday, June 27.