Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind

The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) is a state-operated public education agency in Arizona that provides specialized educational services to students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind, with its administrative headquarters in Tucson.^[1]

ASDB serves students from birth through age 21 and operates both campus-based schools and statewide outreach programs. The agency functions independently of local school districts and is governed by a state-appointed board.

• 1895: Even before Arizona became a state, the Territorial Legislature passed a law to provide education for children who were deaf or blind—a precursor to ASDB.

• 1912: The first Arizona state legislature enacted a provision establishing the Arizona School for the Deaf and the Blind in the same year Arizona became a state.
• First Principal: Henry C. White was appointed by Governor George W. P. Hunt.
• Opening: Classes began in October 1912 with 19 children who were deaf or hard of hearing. Initially, classes were held in a converted residence on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson.

• 1918–1919: The City of Tucson donated land, and additional acreage was purchased as enrollment grew.
• 1921: Construction contracts were awarded for key facilities including dormitories, a kitchen/dining hall, and engine powerhouse.
• 1922: The school relocated to its West Speedway campus, where classes began that fall.

• 1929: The Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind was formally created by state law (Laws 1929, Chapter 93), making it an independent state agency separate from the University of Arizona.
• A governing board of directors was established, with appointees including the governor (ex-officio) and others to oversee operations.

• 1967: In response to demand for local services, the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf (PDSD) was established as a branch campus to serve students in the Phoenix area.
• PDSD offered education from preschool through 12th grade, with extensive support services.

• 1973: ASDB launched statewide early childhood programs to serve infants and toddlers who were deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired, often in homes and natural environments.

• 1987: Major legislative updates addressed education of children with disabilities and ASDB oversight issues, mandating improvements and audits of the agency.
• 1993: The agency’s name was changed to the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, reflecting expansion in scope and services.
• The 1993 law also lowered the minimum age for student eligibility to 3 years, expanded agency responsibilities, and reaffirmed its mission.

• 2001: ASDB became a beneficiary of funding from Arizona’s Classroom Site Fund, aimed at strengthening teacher compensation.
• 2005: The number of board members increased to ten, broadening governance representation.

• 2016: ASDB Superintendent Annette Reichman was selected as the first superintendent who is both deaf and visually impaired in the school’s history—an important milestone in representation.
• 2016–2017: Two original campus buildings from the 1920s were officially designated as Arizona Historic Landmarks, affirming ASDB’s century-long historical significance.

Today, ASDB is a statewide public education agency serving more than 2,000 children from birth to grade 12 who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind.  

2021–2022 Laws: Legislative updates designated ASDB as a local education agency for accountability and clarified admissions and evaluation procedures.

In January 2026, the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind announced plans to relocate its Tucson campus after more than a century at its original location. Faced with declining enrollment, reduced funding, and high operational costs, the agency approved a five-year lease agreement with the Amphitheater School District to move the Tucson campus to the former Copper Creek Elementary School in Oro Valley. Staff and students are expected to relocate during the summer of 2026, with classes beginning at the new site in the fall semester.^[2]

It operates three schools for the deaf and blind, and regional cooperatives throughout the state:

• Phoenix Day School for the Deaf-Phoenix Campus (PDSD)
• Arizona School for the Deaf-Tucson Campus (ASD)
• Arizona School for the Blind-Tucson Campus (ASB)
• Regional Cooperatives: These regional cooperatives are voluntary partnerships between public education agencies (school districts and charter schools) throughout the state and ASDB. School staff and the Cooperative staff work together in local schools to promote success for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired.

In the mid-2010s, the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf (PDSD), operated by the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB), was the subject of media scrutiny regarding aging and deteriorating facilities. Reports cited termite damage, mold odors, failing air-conditioning systems, and concerns about potential asbestos exposure, particularly in preschool buildings. The condition of the facilities raised questions about student health and safety, as well as delays in state funding for replacement or renovation of the campus.^[3]

In 2025, ASDB experienced a significant budget shortfall estimated at approximately $2.6 million. The deficit led to reductions in staffing, program cuts, and limitations on extracurricular and student support services. Parents and advocates expressed concern that the funding challenges would negatively affect educational quality and services for deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and low-vision students across Arizona.^[4]

During the 2023 Arizona legislative session, ASDB became the focus of debate over its statutory reauthorization. Competing bills proposed different lengths of continuation, ranging from a short-term two-year extension with increased oversight to a longer multi-year authorization. The stalled legislative process and disagreements between lawmakers prompted concern from parents, alumni, and disability advocates about institutional stability and long-term planning for the school.^[5]

In 2024, Disability Rights Arizona filed a formal administrative complaint alleging that ASDB violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by failing to provide required services outlined in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), including American Sign Language interpretation and related therapies. The Arizona Department of Education investigated the complaint and determined that ASDB was out of compliance, ordering corrective actions and systemic reforms to address service delivery and procedural safeguards.^[6]

ASDB has periodically been reviewed by the Arizona Auditor General. A 1987 performance audit identified weaknesses in administrative oversight, financial controls, facility maintenance, and coordination with local school districts regarding student placement. Although historical, the findings are often cited in discussions of recurring governance and accountability challenges faced by the institution.^[7]

In 2026, proposals to relocate ASDB’s Tucson campus to a different site in Oro Valley prompted public concern from parents and community members. Critics cited potential impacts on students, accessibility, and continuity of services. While the proposal did not involve legal action, the public response reflected ongoing tensions surrounding institutional change and resource allocation.^[8]

• Official website