LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva joined educators and other dignitaries Wednesday at the construction event for the new Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind, which serves the entire state of Arkansas.
The $53.9 million investment will result in a state-of-the-art facility that will house classrooms for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and students who are blind or visually impaired. The facility also will include a cafeteria, as well as fine arts and other common spaces large enough for all students. The new structure will replace facilities on the campus that date back more than a century.
“All students deserve a quality education tailored to their needs, and this critical investment couldn’t come soon enough,” Gov. Sanders said. “My administration is proud to support the new Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind and ensure students have the resources they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.”
“We are extremely excited to begin this long overdue construction,” Oliva said. “For far too long students have attended outdated facilities that do not meet the unique learning needs of the students. Today, that changes. The construction of this new school includes countless hours of feedback sessions with both the deaf and blind communities whose input has been critical in building a facility that promotes a positive and safe culture of learning.”
“Today is a monumental day for our students,” Arkansas School for the Deaf Superintendent Nicole Walsh said. “Since starting my job as superintendent last July, I have had the opportunity to meet with the incredible students who comprise both schools, as well as their families. Our students deserve an amazing learning facility, and I am beyond excited to see the months of planning and preparation result in breaking ground today.”
Governor Sanders announced the construction of the new building a year ago during a press conference with legislators, ADE, and the schools’ board chair, Robert Fagan.
“As a graduate of the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, my history with both schools dates back to 1976,” Fagan said. “Today marks a new chapter in our efforts to bring both schools together under one roof. While the learning environments for each will be tailored specifically for their needs, the improved interaction both groups of students will have with each other will enhance learning.”
ADE employed SCM Architects from Little Rock in collaboration with Mackey Mitchell Architects from St. Louis, MO, for the project, which enlisted the expertise from both deaf and blind architects to ensure the facility accommodates the needs of blind and deaf students.
The department, along with the architect, also hosted more than 30 stakeholder meetings to obtain input and feedback from students, parents, community members, and staff. The department continues to meet with stakeholders as final details regarding the design and specific needs of the area are finalized.
Schools’ History
The Arkansas School for the Deaf was established in 1849 in Clarksville, Arkansas. According to historical records, the school was the first deaf school west of the Mississippi River. The school later transferred to Little Rock in 1867.
The Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired was founded in 1859 in Arkadelphia as the Institute for the Education of the Blind. The school relocated to Little Rock in 1868, where it was housed in the facility now used as the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. The school was renamed the Arkansas School for the Blind in 1877.
