Immediate Goal:

“Provide Deafblind assistance for Wisconsin children after September 30, 2026.”

This is how much time The Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project has left:

If this project does not have funding after September 30th, then the following things will happen.

1. The State of Wisconsin will lose the only program it has to support Deafblind Kids.
2. The staff of WDBTAP will no longer be employed and the state will lose their experience, skills, and expertise.
3. The community of Deafblind families will lose their connecting organization.
   • Raising kids with disabilities is isolating, and daunting to do without support.
4. Wisconsin School districts will not have a source for training on Deafblind education.
5. Wisconsin County Service Coordinators will have no assistance for early detection and intervention,
6. Wisconsin’s current programming and recorded workshops will be lost.
7. There will be no assistance for transition for students into adulthood and adult services.
8. There will be no more Deafblind engagement activities.
9. Wisconsin families, schools, and counties will lose their primary connection to all national Deafblind resources.

Long-Term Goals:

Beyond September 30th, 2026:

1. Evaluate the Deafblind Project’s successes and remaining needs.
2. Create a long-term program plan.
3. Provide realistic funding to meet the needs all Wisconsin Deafblind kids.

1. Evaluate the Deafblind Project’s Successes and Remaining Needs.

The Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project (WDBTAP) is a unique and highly effective program. Its staff have decades of experience helping teachers, doctors, and other service providers learn how to support Deafblind students. The program has already made a significant impact statewide, providing training, guidance, and resources that help providers meet the complex needs of Deafblind children.

While WDBTAP is doing great work, it does not currently have the resources or capacity to fully meet the needs of all Deafblind students in Wisconsin. Some gaps remain in reaching every provider and family, expanding Intervener training, supporting consistent Child-Find assessments, and providing statewide family resources. These gaps need to be addressed to ensure that Deafblind students have full access to schools and communities.

2. Create a Long-Term Program Plan.

A long-term plan is needed to allow WDBTAP to reach all students, families, and providers across Wisconsin. This includes developing or contracting accredited Intervener training so professionals are fully prepared to support Deafblind students. The state should establish a protected title or certification for Interveners to ensure consistent professional standards.

The program should expand ongoing training and resources for teachers, early intervention staff, medical professionals, and other providers. Strengthening connections statewide can help ensure that every Deafblind student is properly identified and assessed through Child-Find programs. Families should also have access to more training and guidance to better understand and support their child’s needs.

Expanding staff, expertise, and resources is necessary to provide consistent, high-quality support. While current federal funding was never designed to achieve all of these goals, these steps would help Wisconsin meet ADA and IDEA requirements and promote equal access for Deafblind students. Other states already provide state funding, accredited Intervener training, and full staffing. Wisconsin was the last state to recognize Deafblind as a distinct disability category, but by following the examples of other states, we can build a complete, sustainable program that serves every DeafBlind child.

3. Provide Realistic Funding to Meet the Needs of All Wisconsin Deafblind Kids.

Stable, long-term funding is essential to put these goals into practice. Temporary federal grants create uncertainty, leaving gaps in training, provider support, and family resources. Reliable state support can allow WDBTAP to maintain and expand training for providers and families, reach all students with proper assessments and supports, and sustain staff, program materials, and institutional knowledge. With consistent funding, Wisconsin will ensure that Deafblind students always have access to trained professionals and the support systems they need to thrive in school, in their communities, and in life.

The Big Picture

The needs of Deafblind kids might seem miniscule due to their small number, but their needs are real and cannot be addressed by other services. The services of WDBTAP need to expand to find all Deafblind kids, and to properly address their needs within this program.