What does Preamble of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This bill aims to promote and ensure the delivery of high-quality special education and related services. The bill specifically focuses on children and youth who are deafblind.

What does IDENTIFYING CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO ARE DEAFBLIND. of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to address the identification, evaluation, and service provision for children who are deafblind. States are required to identify, locate, and evaluate children with concomitant vision and hearing losses who may be classified under other disability categories. The amendment mandates that these children receive special education and related services, regardless of their classification. States and the Secretary of the Interior must collect and report data on the number and percentage of children in each disability category who are also deafblind. The definition of 'child with a disability' in IDEA is updated to include 'deafblindness'.

What does RELATED SERVICES. of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends Section 602(26)(A) of Title 20 of the U.S. Code. The amendment inserts language to include 'intervener services' within the definition. Intervener services are defined as those provided to children who are deafblind by a qualified intervener.

What does STATE PLANS. of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends Section 612 of Title 20 of the U.S. Code, concerning State plans for special education. It requires states to file an addendum to their plans within two years of the Helen Keller Education Act's enactment. The addendum must describe how states ensure deafblind children are evaluated by qualified professionals using valid assessments. States must demonstrate sufficient availability of qualified personnel, including teachers of the deafblind and interveners. The addendum requires states to ensure deafblind children receive necessary special education and related services, not solely under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. States must address how they meet the needs of deafblind children to support language development and communication. States are required to consult with experts in deafblind education, including parents, advocacy organizations, and others.

What does EVALUATIONS. of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends Section 614(b) of Title 20 of the United States Code. The amendment requires assessments of children who are deafblind to include evaluations of language and communication proficiency. Evaluations must assess the need for services and supports to develop and maintain language and communication skills. Qualified personnel trained in deafblindness and proficient in the child's preferred mode of communication must be involved in assessments and evaluations.

What does CONSIDERATION OF SPECIAL FACTORS. of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends Section 614(d)(3)(B) of Title 20 of the United States Code. It strikes the word 'and' at the end of clause (iv). It redesignates clause (v) as clause (vi). It inserts a new clause (v) addressing the language and communication needs of children who are deafblind. The new clause (v) specifies providing for tactile sign language, tactile and visual adaptations to sign and fingerspelling, and object and tangible symbol systems for deafblind children. Clauses (iii) and (iv) also apply to children who are deafblind.

What does TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS OF CHILDREN of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends Section 616 of Title 20 of the United States Code. It adds a subsection (j) regarding the development of policy guidance for parents and educators of children who are deafblind. The Secretary is required to develop policy guidance concerning special education and related services for children who are deafblind. This guidance must be developed within one year of the enactment of the Helen Keller Education Act. The guidance must be periodically updated, but no less than once every five years. Updates should address relevant amendments to the Act or its implementing regulations. The policy guidance must be published in the Federal Register.

What does CONFORMING REGULATIONS. of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends Section 617 of Title 20 of the United States Code. The amendment adds a subsection (f) to Section 617. The Secretary is required to publish regulations defining 'deafblindness' and 'intervener services'. These regulations must be published within one year of the enactment of the Helen Keller Education Act. The regulations must be developed after a period of public notice and comment.

What does CONTENT OF PLAN. of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends Section 636(d) of Title 20 of the United States Code. The amendment strikes 'and' at the end of paragraph (7). The amendment strikes the period at the end of paragraph (8) and inserts ‘; and’. A new paragraph (9) is added to address infants or toddlers who are deafblind. The new paragraph (9) requires a statement of ongoing language and communication assessment. It also mandates language and communication development goals aligned with the child’s cognitive abilities. The amendment specifies language and communication access, including opportunities for direct language learning and communication with peers and professionals. The amendment requires support and instruction for families to learn and support the child’s language and communication mode.

What does PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE SERVICES AND RESULTS FOR of Helen Keller Education Act do?

This section amends Section 662(c)(2) of Title 20 of the United States Code. The amendment redesignates existing subparagraphs (F) and (G) as (H) and (I), respectively. A new subparagraph (F) is inserted to address preparing personnel to be qualified teachers of children who are deafblind and early intervention specialists. This new subparagraph focuses on developing communication and literacy skills for deafblind children and toddlers, and enabling them to access and utilize information. A new subparagraph (G) is inserted to address preparing personnel to be qualified interveners to assist children who are deafblind.

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Helen Keller Education Act

Last updated: 6/8/2026 · Introduced: 6/8/2026

Author: Morgan McGarvey (D-KY)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to specifically address the identification, evaluation, and service provision for children who are deafblind, regardless of their other disability classifications.
It expands the definition of 'related services' to include 'intervener services,' which are specialized supports provided to children who are deafblind by qualified interveners.
States are required to update their special education plans to ensure deafblind children are evaluated by qualified professionals and receive necessary language and communication supports, including tactile sign language and object symbol systems.
Assessments of deafblind children must now include evaluations of their language and communication proficiency, ensuring they receive appropriate services to develop these skills.
The bill mandates the Secretary of Education to develop and regularly update policy guidance for parents and educators regarding special education and related services for children who are deafblind.

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, identifying children and youth who are deafblind., and 6 more.

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TITLE II

-IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EARLY INTERVENTION FOR INFANTS

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TITLE III

-NATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN

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