Help restore funding for state DeafBlind projects

AER is requesting urgent support to restore federal funding for Oregon’s DeafBlind Project, which lost U.S. Department of Education funding on Sept. 5, 2025. The cut threatens essential services for children who are DeafBlind, their families, and educators. We urge you to contact federal leaders to reinstate the projects to prevent harmful gaps in access, training, and support.

Dear [Lawmaker],

I am writing as an advocate in Oregon to urgently request your support in addressing the recent loss of federal funding for our state’s DeafBlind Project.

On September 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education issued non-continuation notices to four federally funded DeafBlind Projects, including the one that serves Oregon. These projects are critical to ensuring that children and youth who are DeafBlind, and the families and professionals who support them, receive the training, technical assistance, and educational access they need.

In Oregon alone, this project currently supports:

• 114 children

• Hundreds of families, educators, and service providers across diverse and underserved communities

• Public, private, and home-based educational programs statewide

The project’s loss would result in:

• Loss of communication, mobility, and literacy access for children who are DeafBlind

• Elimination of technical assistance for school districts and early intervention teams

• Reduced training for interveners, specialists, and paraprofessionals

• Gaps in child count and data collection required under IDEA

I respectfully urge you to contact the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to request immediate reconsideration of this decision and reinstatement of the affected projects.

The impact of these cuts will fall hardest on children with complex sensory disabilities and the professionals trying to support them.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to inclusive education and family choice.

Sincerely,
______

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