Committee pauses bill to unify Arkansas schools for the deaf and blind after mixed testimony

Representative Carr introduced House Bill 18-10, which would unify administration for the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired into a single school with one superintendent and separate principals to preserve specialized instructional programs.

The bill's sponsor said unification would streamline instruction and create more consistent supports for students who sometimes attend both programs. Representative Carr described the change as an administrative unification, saying much of the bill deletes antiquated language and that roughly two dozen to three dozen students are affected by current arrangements.

Public commenters were sharply divided. Licksonia Hancock and other speakers from the deaf community argued the bill would diminish the board’s authority and harm culturally specific education for deaf and blind students, and said outreach around a December 2023 survey lacked captions, ASL video and accessible formats for blind residents. Former state representative and teacher of deaf children Charlene Fite urged support, saying facility conditions have been poor for years and that a unified, modern campus with specialized principals could improve safety and services.

After public comment and brief committee discussion, the bill’s sponsors asked to hold the measure and return with it later in committee. The chair agreed to delay further action so sponsors could rework or reintroduce the bill.

The transcript records no final vote; committee action was to postpone the bill and take it up at a later date.