Deafblind DATA Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
- Committees
- Oversight and Government Reform Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 17, 2025
Bottom line
The bill aims to provide a more accurate and centralized count of the deafblind population in the U.S. by utilizing and expanding existing Census data collection methods.
What it actually does
This bill, known as the Deafblind DATA Act, requires the Bureau of the Census to publish annual data on individuals who report being both deaf and blind in the American Community Survey, starting in 2026. The published table will include demographic and economic characteristics, sorted by state, while ensuring no personally identifiable information is released. Additionally, the Director of the Census Bureau must report on the feasibility of this publication and expanding data collection on deafblind individuals.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that an accurate and comprehensive count of deafblind individuals is crucial for effectively serving this population's unique needs, which include significant challenges in communication, information access, and social well-being. They contend that current estimates vary widely, leading to inadequate support and resource allocation. By cross-referencing existing data, this bill offers a practical first step towards better understanding and addressing the needs of the deafblind community.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the intent is good, relying solely on self-reported 'deaf' and 'blind' categories in the American Community Survey might not capture the full spectrum or clinical definition of 'deafblindness,' potentially leading to an undercount or misrepresentation of the population. They might also raise concerns about the administrative burden on the Census Bureau for a potentially limited data utility, or suggest that more direct and specialized surveys might yield more precise data, although the bill does address this by requiring a feasibility report on expanding data collection.
The bill is very short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its provisions quickly.
Section 2(a)
Feasibility Report on Data Collection and Publication
This provision mandates that the Director of the Bureau of the Census submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The report must assess the feasibility of both publishing the annual table of deafblind individuals (as described in Section 2(b)) and expanding the American Community Survey to collect more comprehensive data specifically on individuals experiencing combined hearing and vision loss. This ensures a preliminary evaluation before full implementation and allows for future improvements in data collection.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this report is a prudent first step, ensuring that the Census Bureau can effectively implement the data publication requirement and explore more robust data collection methods. It allows for a thoughtful approach to addressing the complex issue of counting the deafblind population, rather than immediately imposing potentially unfeasible mandates.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against a feasibility report, as it is a standard legislative practice to assess the practicality of new requirements. However, some might argue it could delay the immediate implementation of more comprehensive data collection.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the urgency of obtaining data with the need for careful planning and assessment of the Census Bureau's capabilities and resources. It ensures that any expansion of data collection is well-considered.
Section 2(b)
Annual Publication of Deafblind Data from American Community Survey
Starting in 2026, this provision requires the Director of the Bureau of the Census to annually publish a table on its public website. This table will summarize data from the American Community Survey (ACS) for respondents who indicate they are both deaf and blind. The published information will include demographic details like sex, race, and age, as well as economic characteristics such as employment status, educational attainment, earnings, and poverty status, all sorted by state. Crucially, the provision explicitly prohibits the publication of any personally identifiable information.