Helen Keller Education Act
Sponsored By: Representative McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would strengthen identification, evaluations, and tailored services for children who are deafblind. It would also require updated data, state plan addenda, federal guidance, and workforce development so qualified professionals and supports match students' communication needs.
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- Deafblind children and their families would face expanded evaluation rules that assess expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language across tactile and visual modes. Educational plans must address tactile sign language, tactile adaptations to signing, object and tangible symbol systems, and access to peers and professionals.
- State education agencies would have to file a deafblind addendum within 2 years describing how they will evaluate these children, ensure valid assessments by qualified personnel, and provide sufficient teachers and interveners.
- The Secretary would publish policy guidance within 1 year and update it at least every 5 years. The bill also reforms personnel development to prepare teachers, early intervention specialists, and interveners trained to serve deafblind children.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
State plans to serve deafblind children
If enacted, each State would have to file an addendum to its IDEA plan within 2 years. The addendum would explain how the State will make sure deafblind children get qualified evaluations, enough teachers of the deafblind and interveners, and special education instead of only 504 plans. States would have to consult with parents, experts, and advocacy groups when they write the addendum.
Stronger evaluations and education plans
If enacted, evaluations of children who are deafblind would have to test language and communication (expressive, receptive, pragmatic) and how the child accesses grade-level work. Qualified staff trained in deafblindness who communicate in the child's preferred mode would have to take part. Early intervention plans would need ongoing language checks, goals tied to cognition, peer learning, access to communication, and family supports.
New intervener services and training
If enacted, the IDEA related-services list would add intervener services for children who are deafblind, to be provided by a qualified intervener. This change would take effect upon enactment. Federal personnel-development programs would also be expanded to train teachers, early intervention specialists, and qualified interveners to support deafblind children.
Federal guidance and definitions for deafblind
If enacted, the Education Secretary would publish regulatory definitions for "deafblindness" and "intervener services" within 1 year after notice-and-comment rulemaking. The Secretary would also publish policy guidance for parents and educators within 1 year and update it at least every 5 years in the Federal Register.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
KY • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
NY • R
Sponsored 6/8/2026
Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/8/2026
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Sponsored 6/18/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov