Alice Cogswell Act (H.R. 9195)

Summary

Strengthens educational support for children with vision or hearing loss by requiring better evaluations, qualified teachers, and specific learning plans.

What problem does this solve?

Many children with hearing or vision loss are not properly identified by schools and lack access to teachers with the right training. This bill requires states to find these students, provide them with specialized instruction like sign language or Braille, and ensure there are enough qualified staff to help them succeed.

What does this bill do?

Improves student identification and tracking

Requires states to find, evaluate, and serve children with hearing or vision loss, even if they are officially classified under a different disability. States must also collect and report more detailed data on these students.

Mandates new state plans

Forces states to submit detailed plans to the federal government explaining how they will provide enough qualified teachers and specialized services, like American Sign Language and Braille, for all eligible students.

Establishes the Anne Sullivan Macy Center

Creates a new national center focused on visual disabilities. The center will research teaching methods, create educational materials, and provide training for teachers of blind and visually impaired students.

Strengthens individualized education programs (IEPs)

Updates rules for IEPs to require special consideration of the unique needs of these students, such as direct communication in sign language for deaf students and Braille instruction for blind students.

Specifies evaluation procedures

Requires that evaluations for these students assess their specific needs, including language skills in American Sign Language, proficiency with assistive technology, and ability to navigate their environment.

Protects specialized schools

States that closing a specialized state school for deaf or blind students will be considered a reduction in the state's financial support for special education, potentially risking federal funding.

Improves early intervention services

Updates requirements for early intervention plans for infants and toddlers with sensory disabilities. Plans must include language assessments, goals for language development, and support for families.

Adds intervener services for deafblind children

Formally recognizes 'intervener services' as a related service for deafblind children. This provides one-on-one support from a professional trained to help them access information and communicate.

Who does this affect?

Children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have other disabilities along with deafness
Children who are blind or visually impaired
Children who are deafblind

What is the real world impact?

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Ensures specialized instruction

Closes gaps in federal law to make sure students with vision or hearing loss receive the specific type of instruction they need, such as American Sign Language or Braille, from properly trained professionals.

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Increases accountability for states

Requires states to create detailed public plans and undergo enhanced federal monitoring to prove they are adequately serving students with sensory disabilities. This adds pressure on school systems to meet new, specific standards.

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Creates a new national resource center

Establishes the Anne Sullivan Macy Center, a new federal program to research and develop better teaching methods for students who are blind or visually impaired. This centralizes efforts to improve educational materials and teacher training.

When does this start?

This bill sets several deadlines for states and federal agencies to put its new rules into action.

State Plan Addendums

States must submit new, detailed plans on how they will serve students with sensory disabilities no later than 2 years after the bill becomes law.

Updated Federal Guidance

The Secretary of Education must update federal policy guidance for educating children with hearing, vision, or combined losses within 1 year of the bill becoming law.

New Federal Regulations

The Secretary of Education must publish new regulations that officially define 'deafblindness' and 'intervener services' within 1 year of the bill becoming law.