Ducey proposes funds to help deaf and blind children get head start on reading

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced new funds for a program to assist very young children who are blind or deaf.

If doctors determine a child has vision or hearing problems, the child may receive assistance through the Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind when they turn three years old. Until then, the state sends specialists to work with these children’s and infants’ families. As of right now, Arizona has 17 specialists who work with about 24 children each.

Under Ducey’s new plan, the state would hire an additional 21 specialists.

“What we’re trying to do is increase the number of visits per child,” said Dawn Wallace, the governor’s education adviser. “But we’re also trying to decrease the number of kids every teacher goes to so that they can spend more time with those kids.”

These specialists teach the children and make sure they have everything they need to address their health and medical equipment needs.

You can read the full story here.