Deafblind DATA Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2947
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-17: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:06:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Deafblind Disabled Americans Table Approximation Act (Deafblind DATA Act) aims to improve the understanding and support for individuals who are deafblind—meaning they experience both hearing and vision loss—by requiring the U.S. Census Bureau to analyze and publish data on this population. It addresses the lack of accurate national estimates, which currently vary widely (from about 50,000 to over 2 million people), to better inform services, policies, and resources for their unique needs, such as communication, education, employment, and well-being.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines the challenges faced by deafblind individuals, including barriers to information access, communication, development, education, employment, and social-emotional health. It notes discrepancies in population estimates from various sources and highlights that the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) collects separate data on hearing and vision difficulties but does not combine them.
- Feasibility Report: Within 180 days of enactment, the Census Bureau Director must submit a report to Congress assessing:
- The practicality of publishing a specific data table on deafblind individuals.
- Options for expanding ACS data collection (or its successor survey) on combined hearing and vision loss.
- Annual Data Publication: Starting in 2026, the Census Bureau must annually publish a public table on its website summarizing ACS respondents who report both deafness and blindness. The table will include:
- Demographic details: Sex, race, and age, sorted by state.
- Economic details: Employment status, educational attainment, earnings, and poverty status.
- Privacy Protection: No personally identifiable information (e.g., names or addresses) can be included to safeguard respondent privacy.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Currently, the ACS gathers data on hearing difficulties (e.g., "deaf or serious difficulty hearing") and vision difficulties (e.g., "blind or serious difficulty seeing even with glasses") separately, without cross-referencing to identify overlaps.
- This bill introduces a requirement to cross-reference these existing responses to estimate the deafblind population, marking the first federal mandate for centralized, combined data on this group. It does not create new survey questions but leverages current ones for analysis and public reporting.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Census Bureau will need to allocate resources for data analysis, reporting, and annual publications, potentially influencing how agencies like the Department of Education, Health and Human Services, or Social Security Administration plan disability services and funding.
- Citizens: Deafblind individuals and their families may gain better access to tailored support, such as improved communication aids, educational programs, or employment opportunities, by enabling more evidence-based policies. It could reduce service gaps for an underserved population.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. data on disabilities could inform global health and human rights discussions, such as those under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Deafblind Individuals and Community: Primary beneficiaries, including children (estimated 10,000) and adults (estimates vary from 40,000 to over 2 million), who may see improved recognition and services.
- Advocacy Organizations: Groups like the National Center on Deafblindness, Helen Keller National Center, and others cited in findings, which can use the data for advocacy and program development.
- Census Bureau and Federal Agencies: Responsible for implementation, data handling, and using insights for broader disability policy.
- State Governments and Service Providers: Will access state-level data to address local needs in education, employment, and health.
- Congress and Policymakers: Gains tools for informed legislation on disability rights and resource allocation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens compliance with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by promoting data-driven equity for disabled populations, without imposing new privacy risks due to the built-in safeguards against identifiable information.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the Census Clause (Article I, Section 2) of the U.S. Constitution, which requires an enumeration for representation and taxation; this expands it to better serve underrepresented groups without raising enumeration accuracy concerns.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) highlights cross-aisle interest in disability issues. It could spur future expansions in disability data collection, potentially influencing budget debates or broader equity initiatives, but faces no apparent controversies over feasibility or cost.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
Cosponsors (35)
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Mannion, John [D-NY-22], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-17: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-04-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Deafblind Disabled Americans Table Approximation Act — issued 2025-04-17 — PDF (4 pages)