Reps. McGarvey and Garbarino Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Education Resources for Deafblind Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 05, 2026) – Today, Congressmen Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) and Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02) introduced the Helen Keller Education Act, a bill to improve educational resources for children and youth who are blind and low vision or deafblind.
“Any kid without the right resources in a classroom is going to struggle to reach their full potential, and it’s no different for deafblind students,” said Congressman McGarvey. “The Helen Keller Education Act makes sure these students are getting specialized instruction with trained teachers in an environment that brings out their best. I appreciate Rep. Garbarino’s partnership and advocacy on this legislation as we keep fighting to get every student the education they deserve.”
“Every student deserves access to the tools and support they need to succeed in the classroom,” said Congressman Garbarino. “For children who are deafblind, that often requires specialized services and trained professionals who understand their unique needs. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure students have access to the resources necessary to receive a quality education. I’m proud to work with Congressman McGarvey to support these children.”
The Helen Keller Education Act aims to ensure deafblind youth receive the same education as their peers by:
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Requiring states to identify deafblind children even if they are classified and receiving supports under a different disability category;
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Including intervener services to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act related services;
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Requiring states to file a deafblind services addendum within 2 years of enactment;
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Strengthening evaluations and Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements for deafblind students;
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Improving early intervention; and
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Expanding personnel preparation for teachers, interveners, and early intervention specialists.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs, Small Business, and Budget Committees.