A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 328

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults

(CFDA No. 84. 128)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: The Helen Keller National Center Act as amended by P.L. 99-506, (29 U.S.C. 1901-1907) (expires September 30, 1997).

Purpose: To provide rehabilitation and training services, to train family members; to train professional personnel; and to conduct applied research development programs at the national center or anywhere in the United States to enable persons who are deaf-blind to reach their full potential.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation	Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1972	$600,000	1987	$4,600,000
1975	2,000,000	1988	4,800,000
1980	2,500,000	1989	4,900,000
1981	3,200,000	1990	4,938,000
1982	3,137,000	1991	5,367,000
1983	3,500,000	1992	5,867,000
1984	4,000,000	1993	6,057,000
1985	4,200,000	1994	6,741,000
1986	4,115,000

II. Program Information and Analysis

Population Targeting

Services are targeted exclusively on individuals who are deaf-blind. There are an estimated 41,000 in this country.

Services

In FY 1993, the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC) served 72 clients at its residential facility and provided referral and counseling to another 1,627 persons who are deaf-blind in their own States and communities through 10 regional offices. The 35 agencies affiliated with HKNC served 3,233 persons who are deaf-blind. The National Training Team conducted 12 week-long training conferences for 197 people and 38 conferences throughout the nation for a total of 2,280 participants. Additionally, the NTT conducted 6 family weekends for 300 people and 2 interpreter training weekends for 60 people. There were (short-term) 3-day training conferences for 110 American and 40 foreign visitors and a l-day training program for 240 Americans and 60 international visitors.

Outcomes

Of the 72 persons receiving training at the National Center, 35 completed their training by June 30, 1993, with 16 being placed in employment settings ranging from competitive to a work activity center and 23 placed in residential programs.

Management Improvement Strategies

In the July 1, 1992 - June 30, 1993 program period, HKNC Living Innovations in Functional Environment (LIFE) which trains severely multihandicapped deaf-blind persons for improved self-care and independent living in the concrete setting of a residence. The National Center continued with the Personal Futures Planning program (PFP) whereby HKNC staff, family and advocates assist the individual client to develop, plan and make decisions concerning the individual's goals for life in the community and workplace, and used the Helen Keller Functional Profile (HKFP) to enable professionals to identify the functional level of a client and develop an appropriate training program to enhance the client's skills.

In addition, the HKNC hired a coordinator of Affiliate Services to stimulate the establishment of services at the community level and funded two additional affiliate progrms. The National Center sponsored a national conference to focus on services for older deaf-blind individuals and received a grant from the Administration on Aging to develop a model that allows older deaf-blind individuals to maintain living arrangements in the local community.

III. Sources of Information

Program 1993 Annual Report of the Helen Keller National Center.
Evaluation of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (Washington, DC: Associate Control, Research and Analysis Inc., August 1988).

IV. Planned Studies

The HKNC Act requires that the Secretary of Education annually evaluate the HKNC's activities. The center uses special evaluation instruments developed under contract to the Department to help prepare the report the Secretary annually transmits to the President and Congress.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operations:: Chet Avery, (202) 205-9316
Program Studies:: Ann Nawaz, (202) 401-3630

-###-

[Projects for Migratory Agricultural Workers and Seasonal Farm Workers with Disabilities]

[Projects with Industry Program (PWI)]