ASDB - Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

11/12/2026

Join us for our November 2026 Board Meeting starting at 4pm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD8sY9aInGU

11/06/2026

CALL TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS (Pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.01(I): A citizen wishing to make comments to the Board must fill out a Request to Address Board form. Forms can be obtained by visiting https://asdb.az.gov/public-comments/

This link will be available beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Friday November 6th, 2026 and close at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 10th, 2026.

Please limit your comment to 500 words or less with a reference to the specific agenda item. To submit your comment in ASL, please ensure that the accompanying video is within the 3-minute duration and does not exceed a file size limit of 60MB.

If your file exceeds this limit, please share a link to the video in the "comments" section.

PLEASE NOTE: Policy BEDH assigns to the Board President the responsibility for establishing time limits for public participation and for individual speakers.

Unless modified by the President at a particular meeting, due to circumstances, each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes.
PURSUANT TO POLICY BHD, NO ANONYMOUS COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD MAY NOT RESPOND TO OR DISCUSS THE ITEMS RAISED.

11/06/2026

PDSD Staff Spotlight: Vergena Chee!

We're excited to celebrate Vergena Chee, a teacher at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, who was recently featured by Gallaudet University!

From her Navajo roots to her journey as a proud Gallaudet alumna, Vergena brings her passion for language, education, art, and cultural identity into her work with our students every day.

Her story is a wonderful reminder of the impact educators can have by sharing their experiences, celebrating their culture, and encouraging the next generation of Deaf students to embrace who they are.

Congratulations, Vergena! We're proud to have you as part of the PDSD family!

📖 Read her feature from Gallaudet University:
https://gallaudet.edu/alumni-relations/vergena-chee-is-curating-a-legacy-of-her-own/

11/05/2026

💙 Celebrating Blind Awareness at Morgan Maxwell School! 🏀🚴‍♂️

Last week, ASDB partnered with Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) and Morgan Maxwell School for a series of Blind Awareness events focused on accessibility, independence, and inclusion!

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade participated in classroom lessons, interactive activities, and adaptive sports experiences designed to challenge misconceptions about blindness and low vision while celebrating the abilities of every student.

Through a collaboration with Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports and its Adaptive Sports in Schools (ASIS) program, students explored adaptive sports, including beep baseball, wheelchair basketball, and tandem bicycling!

🏆 We were also excited to welcome Tyler Cashman, a University of Arizona adaptive golfer and 2025 World Blind Golf Champion! Tyler shared his passion for adaptive athletics and helped demonstrate the opportunities available to athletes who are blind or have low vision.

🚴‍♂️ El Grupo Youth Cycling also hosted a bicycle rodeo, supporting the school's goal of establishing an inclusive bike club where ALL students can participate!
Throughout these experiences, students learned that inclusion means respecting independence, asking before offering assistance, and recognizing their peers for who they are rather than defining them by a disability.

A special thank you to TVIs Kareina Lee and Gretchen Simpson, COMS Alyson Lawani, PE Teacher Kirk Sampson, Principal Clarisa Nido, and all of our community partners for making these events possible!

💙 Together, we're building a school community where every student has the opportunity to learn, participate, and thrive!

Learn more about Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports and the ASIS program:

🔗 https://www.soazadaptivesports.org/about-3

10/30/2026

ASDB Visits Chino Valley!

Yesterday, ASDB Superintendent Annette Reichman and Linda Bove spent the afternoon in Chino Valley connecting with students, staff, families, and community members!

The visit included a tour of Territorial Early Childhood Center, a community meet-and-greet at Heritage Middle School, and an evening of Halloween fun at the Spooky Cookie and Costume Event!

Thank you to everyone in Chino Valley who welcomed us and took the time to connect!

Here are a few photos from the visit, with more to come soon!

10/29/2026

10/15/2026

Today is and !

First established in 1964 and 2011, respectively, these days serve as a reminder of the success, independence and rights of people who are blind or low vision.

Of course, these achievements should be celebrated year-round, and NLS has a booklist featuring “changemakers” from the blind and low vision community.

From stories of academics, like the memoir of James J. Barnes, “Unforeseen: the First Blind Rhodes Scholar (DB90729),” and David Hartman’s “White Coat, White Cane (DB14631)” to stories of physical endurance like Erik Weihenmayer’s “Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man's Journey to Climb Farther than the Eye Can See (BR14512, DB51505),” the NLS collection keeps the legacy of these individuals alive while providing the resources for the changemakers of tomorrow.

Find the full booklist at www.loc.gov/nls/new-materials/book-lists/changemakers?loclr=fbnls

10/05/2026

More from Maryland!

Our ASDB and PDSD cross country student-athletes hit the course at the National Deaf Prep Cross Country meet in Frederick, Maryland!

We’re proud of our runners for competing alongside Deaf student-athletes from across the country and representing Arizona with determination and spirit.

Great job to all of our athletes, and thank you to the coaches and staff supporting them throughout the trip!

10/02/2026

ASDB & PDSD Cross Country are in Maryland!

Our ASDB and PDSD student-athletes are in Frederick, Maryland for the National Deaf Prep Cross Country meet! Here’s a look at our runners out on the course and representing Arizona together.

Keep sending your support from back home as they take on this exciting experience!

RUN STRONG. RUN PROUD.

09/30/2026

🏐🏈 A Day of Teamwork, Sportsmanship, and School Spirit! 🏈🏐
Last Saturday, our two schools within the agency — ASDB Oro Valley and PDSD — came together for an exciting day of athletics featuring high school girls’ volleyball and flag football!
It was a wonderful opportunity for both athletic programs to connect, compete, and celebrate the teamwork and dedication of our student-athletes. We are proud of the collaboration, encouragement, and sportsmanship displayed by everyone involved.
Check out some highlights from this memorable day! 🎉👏🏐🏈 A Day of Teamwork, Sportsmanship, and School Spirit! 🏈🏐
Last Saturday, our two schools within the agency — ASDB Oro Valley and PDSD — came together for an exciting day of athletics featuring high school girls’ volleyball and flag football!
It was a wonderful opportunity for both athletic programs to connect, compete, and celebrate the teamwork and dedication of our student-athletes. We are proud of the collaboration, encouragement, and sportsmanship displayed by everyone involved.
Check out some highlights from this memorable day! 🎉👏