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AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is celebrating national Deafblind Awareness Week from June 26 to July 2 by hosting the inaugural HHSC Deafblind Awareness Week Art Show: Empowerment through Art. The in-person art show opening will be held on Friday, June 24, at the HHSC North Austin Complex.
“These children put their hearts and souls into their artwork. This is just a small sampling of the creativity that deafblind Texans possess when given equal access to communication, information and other tools based on their unique needs,” said Sarah Karmacharya, HHSC Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program policy and program development manager. “When given the proper support, the possibilities are endless.”
The art show will feature pieces produced by deafblind children, professional artwork by a deafblind artist, a pre-recorded art talk and remarks from HHSC staff.
WHAT: Opening of HHSC Deafblind Awareness Week Art Show: Empowerment through Art
WHEN: Friday, June 24, 2022
- 10 a.m. — 11 a.m.
WHERE: Texas HHSC
North Austin Complex
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX
First Floor Lobby
“Empowerment through Art” will be on display and open to the public from June 24 to July 8. To register for the art show opening, visit the HHSC Deafblind Awareness Week Art Show: Empowerment through Art website.
On Monday, June 27, from 11-11:45 a.m., HHSC will also host a Virtual Art Opening and Deafblind Awareness Week Kick-Off event. The virtual event will feature remarks from HHSC staff, a pre-recorded Art Talk from a deafblind artist and photos from the in-person art show opening. To register for the webinar, visit the Virtual Art Opening and Deafblind Awareness Week Kick-Off website.
About Deafblind Awareness Week
Deafblind Awareness Week is observed every year during the last week in June to honor the birthday of Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing at just 19 months of age. After developing her own form of communication, she learned how to read five languages, attended college, wrote books, and traveled the world. As a way to commemorate Helen Keller and her contributions for those in the deafblind community, the Office of the Governor of Texas has declared June 26 – July 2, 2022 as Helen Keller Deafblind Awareness Week.
About Deafblind Resources
Texas HHSC Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program (BCVDDP) specializes in addressing the needs of children who are blind or visually impaired, including children who are deafblind. HHSC provides skills training, parent education and case management to help children reach goals and become as independent as possible. For more information visit the HHS website.