The Congress finds that—

1. (1) deaf-blindness is among the most severe of all forms of disabilities, and there is a great and continuing need for services and training to help individuals who are deaf-blind attain the highest possible level of development;
2. (2) due to the rubella epidemic of the 1960’s, the rapidly increasing number of older persons many of whom are experiencing significant losses of both vision and hearing, and recent advances in medical technology that have sustained the lives of many severely disabled individuals, including individuals who are deaf-blind, who might not otherwise have survived, the need for services for individuals who are deaf-blind is even more pressing now than in the past;
3. (3) helping individuals who are deaf-blind to become self-sufficient, independent, and employable by providing the services and training necessary to accomplish that end will benefit the Nation, both economically and socially;
4. (4) the Helen Keller National Center for Youths and Adults who are Deaf-Blind is a vital national resource for meeting the needs of individuals who are deaf-blind and no State currently has the facilities or personnel to meet such needs;
5. (5) the Federal Government has made a substantial investment in capital, equipment, and operating funds for such Center since it was established; and
6. (6) it is in the national interest to continue to provide support for the Center, and it is a proper function of the Federal Government to be the primary source of such support.

(Pub. L. 98–221, title II, § 202, Feb. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 102–569, title IX, §§ 901, 908(a), (c)(1), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4482, 4485, 4486.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions for the establishment, operation, and funding of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, similar to those comprising this chapter, were contained in section 777c of this title prior to the repeal of that section and the enactment of this chapter by Pub. L. 98–221. Prior thereto provisions similar to those comprising this chapter and authorizing appropriations for fiscal years ending June 30, 1974, June 30, 1975, June 30, 1976, Sept. 30, 1977, and Sept. 30, 1978, for the establishment of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults were contained in former section 305 of Pub. L. 93–112, title III, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 383, as amended by Pub. L. 93–516, title I, § 107, Dec. 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 93–651, title I, § 107, Nov. 21, 1974, 89 Stat. 2–4; Pub. L. 94–230, §§ 7, 11(b)(10), Mar. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 212, 213; Pub. L. 94–288, §§ 1, 2, May 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 520, which was classified to section 775 of this title. Section 109(1) of Pub. L. 95–602 redesignated former section 305 as section 313 of Pub. L. 93–112. Section 313 of Pub. L. 93–112, as amended generally by section 116(2) of Pub. L. 95–602, was classified to section 777c of this title.

Prior similar provisions were also contained in former section 42a of this title.

Amendments

1992—Par. (1). Pub. L. 102–569, § 908(a), substituted “individuals who are deaf-blind” for “deaf-blind individuals”.

Par. (2). Pub. L. 102–569, §§ 901(1), 908(a), inserted “, the rapidly increasing number of older persons many of whom are experiencing significant losses of both vision and hearing,” after “1960’s” and substituted “individuals who are deaf-blind” for “deaf-blind individuals” in two places.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 102–569, § 908(a), substituted “individuals who are deaf-blind” for “deaf-blind individuals”.

Par. (4). Pub. L. 102–569, § 908(a), (c)(1), substituted “Youths and Adults who are Deaf-Blind” for “Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults” and “individuals who are deaf-blind” for “deaf-blind individuals”.

Par. (5). Pub. L. 102–569, § 901(2), substituted “made a substantial investment” for “invested approximately $10,000,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Pub. L. 98–221, title II, § 201, Feb. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 32, provided that:

“This title [enacting this chapter, amending

section 777 of this title, and repealing

section 777c of this title] may be cited as the ‘Helen Keller National Center Act’.”