HHSC to Host Deafblind Awareness Week Reception and Art Show

The HHSC Blind Children's Program will highlight people with combined vision and hearing loss and the agency programs that serve them with the 2026 Deafblind Awareness Week Reception and Art Show.

The reception is June 24 from 9:30 a.m. to noon in training rooms 1.401, 1.402, 1.403 and 1.404 at the North Austin Complex, 4601 W. Guadalupe St. in Austin. The event will precede Deafblind Awareness Week, June 25 to July 1.

This year's theme is, "Access in Action," and the celebration will feature:

• A parent panel discussion with parents of children who are deafblind.
• Remarks from Blind Children's Program participants.
• An art collection created by children who are deafblind and enrolled in Blind Children's Program services.
• Networking and resource-sharing opportunities with agencies and programs that serve the deafblind community.

The art collection will remain on display June 24 through July 24 on the first floor of the North Austin Complex.

The Blind Children's Program helps children from birth to age 22 who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind be as independent as possible in adulthood. The program offers hands-on skills training, parent education and case management.

Kristen Boessling, team lead for Blind Children's Program policy and program development, said it takes a tailored, team-based approach to help a child or young adult who is deafblind have access to the world around them. The person's family, medical providers, case managers, educational team and community all help create opportunities to explore and encourage autonomy.

"Each of our training opportunities emphasizes independence, skill-building, communication and connection with peers," Boessling said.

To learn more, visit the Blind Children's Program webpage. For questions or to refer a child to services, email the Blind Children's Program.