Translation:

Lisa: I'm Lisa Rose, President of the NAD.

I'm excited to share that today, we have filed suit in Arkansas, suing the Arkansas Department of Education. In this lawsuit, we are representing the Arkansas Association of the Deaf. I'll let our legal team tell you more about it.

Brittany: In December of 2023, the Arkansas Department of Education sent out a survey to a the community and stakeholders, including Deaf people in the state. In this survey, they asked for feedback on a wide range of issues and concerns regarding both the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas School for the Blind. Questions ranged from the school facilities and buildings (which have been crumbling), to education, the location of the school itself, and the potential merger of the two schools into one administrative unit. This survey was not accessible to members of the community.

Drake: The survey was inaccessible to both Deaf and Blind members of the community - it had no ASL translations, and no audio descriptions, which would have made it accessible. As a result, Deaf, Blind, and low-vision members of the community were unable to participate in this critical survey. This is not equitable, and that is why we have brought this lawsuit.

Lisa: Thank you, Brittany and Drake.

The community agrees that there needs to be new facilities, because the existing buildings are old and falling apart.

The issue is that new facilities need to be accessible to both deaf and blind students. Those plans will be based on the survey. If the survey is not inclusive and accessible, the new facilities will also not be inclusive and accessible. It all goes back to the survey. We want a new building, yes!

They are also using the facility as an excuse to combine two different schools. That is an entirely separate issue.

That is why this lawsuit is happening.

This lawsuit is also important to our national community in some important ways. As the Federal government attempts to disband the Federal Department of Education, and shift responsibilities to the states, the NAD must monitor state-level policies that impact our communities, and hold these state agencies accountable.

NAD continues to fight for our community.

You can do your part by joining the NAD as a member, or by donating : Link

Thank you!