Governor Stein Proclaims DeafBlind Awareness Month

Deafblind Awareness Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, approximately 84,000 people in North Carolina have combined losses of hearing and vision, which is one of the most severe of all communication disabilities; and

Whereas, we recognize and appreciate the diversity and contributions of DeafBlind individuals in North Carolina and gain strength from them, strive for their equal rights, and celebrate the qualities that make each DeafBlind person unique; and

Whereas, it is in the interest of all North Carolinians to encourage the full inclusion of DeafBlind people with access and opportunities made possible by the development of self-advocacy skills and effective use of appropriate resources, such as specialized adaptive technologies, Haptics, Protactile, Support Service Providers, and CoNavigators; and

Whereas, DeafBlind people receive education, participate in social activities, manage their everyday lives, and actively engage in their communities through employment and civic activities; and

Whereas, it is necessary to publicize the abilities and potential of this diverse population of people who are DeafBlind, or have combined significant vision and hearing loss, and to recognize that Helen Keller is one example of courage, hope, determination, and achievement among the DeafBlind population; and

Whereas, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Division of Services for the Blind, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, NC Deaf-Blind Project, North Carolina DeafBlind Associates, RHA Deaf Mental Health Services, and the Helen Keller National Center Southeast collaboratively encourage increased awareness, understanding, and support for people who have combined hearing and vision loss, and recognizes the many contributions made by people who are DeafBlind in communities across our state;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 2025, as “Deafblind Awareness Month” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this tenth day of June in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.