What is DeafBlind Awareness Week?
DeafBlind Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place during the last week of June. In 2023, we will celebrate DeafBlind Awareness Week from June 25th to July 1st. This coincides with the birthday of Helen Keller on June 27, 1880. This national advocacy campaign has been held each year since 1984 when the then-President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation in recognition of this special week. The purpose of DeafBlind Awareness Week is to raise public awareness about individuals who have combined hearing and vision loss. Today, there are 2.4 million people who are DeafBlind in the United States.
The awareness week aims to promote a better understanding of the challenges faced by DeafBlind individuals and to celebrate their unique abilities and contributions to society. During this week, various organizations and advocates host events and activities to increase public awareness and promote inclusivity and accessibility for DeafBlind individuals.
This year’s campaign celebrates the strengths and contributions of members of the DeafBlind community at work. Helen Keller National Center provides employment services and can connect job seekers to employers. OFFICE ROCKSTARS CAN BE DEAFBLIND!
Image Description
A black woman stands in a confident pose with her hand on her hip and holds a white cane while in front of a red and blue background. Big white words say “Office Rockstars Can Be DeafBlind” on top of her. Beneath those words to the right are smaller words that say “Because we know you’re ready to shine. HKNC is here to help connect working-aged adults in the DeafBlind community with employers. Get in touch today.” At the bottom of the poster is a QR code with tactile marking around it. Beside it shows lines of braille that transcribes all words on the poster, and then the Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults logo is in the right hand corner. [End of Description]