WHEREAS, DeafBlind Awareness Week has been observed nationwide each year since 1984, in honor of the June 27 birthday of Helen Keller, whose legacy of determination, innovation, and advocacy continues to inspire generations; and

WHEREAS, DeafBlindness is a multisensory disability involving the combined loss of vision and hearing that affects thousands of Virginians, impacting their ability to live independently, travel safely, communicate effectively, and access information, resources, and services; and

WHEREAS, individuals who are DeafBlind contribute meaningfully to our communities as educators, professionals, advocates, volunteers, neighbors, and leaders whose lived experiences enrich Virginia's cultural, civic, and economic life; and

WHEREAS, promoting full participation for DeafBlind Virginians by promoting access to education, employment, housing, transportation, healthcare, and community engagement strengthens our Commonwealth and reflects our shared commitment to equity and inclusion; and

WHEREAS, the role of touch in communication for many DeafBlind individuals — including Protactile language, tactile sign language, haptics, braille, and other tactile tools and technologies – is essential to foster connection, autonomy, and understanding; and

WHEREAS, improving awareness of accessible communication among educators, service providers, professionals, employers, and the general public helps build bridges of inclusion, expands opportunities, and promotes respectful and meaningful engagement with DeafBlind Virginians; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, and the Virginia Deafblind Project at Virginia Commonwealth University promote awareness, education, and support for individuals who are DeafBlind;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize June 25-July 1, 2026, as DEAFBLIND AWARENESS WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA and call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.