Families Rally Against Relocation of Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind

Families and supporters gathered outside the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB) in Phoenix on March 20, 2024, to protest the school’s planned relocation to Copper Creek Elementary in Oro Valley. Parents, students, and alumni expressed their deep concerns, arguing that the move would disrupt their tight-knit community and negatively impact their children’s education.

The protest featured a range of voices, including students like Brandon Trivitt, who articulated the emotional toll of the impending relocation. “I’m glad that I have friends here. I have my two best friends here,” said Trivitt, emphasizing the importance of the school as more than just an educational institution. His mother, Rebekah Trivitt, an alumna of ASDB, shared her own experiences, stating, “It built my confidence because I was the only one in my house who had a visual impairment. I got to see that I wasn’t alone, that there were many more people out there like me than I thought.”

The announcement of ASDB’s relocation has left many students and families feeling devastated about the potential loss of a place rich in personal history and community. “I’d be really sad and kind of mad about the school shutting down,” Brandon Trivitt said, reflecting on the five years he has spent at ASDB, which he described as his “home away from home.” His mother echoed this sentiment, expressing concern for the wider implications for the community. “If ASDB goes away, it’s going to hurt a lot of people. It’s really going to damage the blind community,” she warned.

Organizer Derrall Peach, who initiated the protest for his daughter, highlighted the critical need for equal access to education. “We want our kids to have the same benefits and rights as everybody else. They deserve to go to the school of the deaf and blind. That’s what it’s here for,” Peach stated, underscoring the collective aim of the protest.

Joining the protest, ASDB senior Jamal Stell voiced his commitment not only to his own education but also to future generations. “I’m doing this for not only me and the rest of this year, but the community. Because I believe that what they’ve done is very discriminatory towards the blind community. And it also very much impacts the deaf community as well,” Stell asserted.

Many students at ASDB have transitioned from public schools where they faced significant challenges. Former student Claeb Cody recounted his difficult experiences, stating, “Some of these people came from public school and had terrible experiences like I did. It’s terrible to think that others may experience the same thing I experienced.”

Stell called for ongoing community support in the fight against the relocation. “I want to say to all those out there to continue to support us and to continue to help fight to keep this campus open, because this is important for both blind and deaf communities together. This keeps us all together,” he concluded, emphasizing the need for unity among supporters.

As families continue to advocate for ASDB, the future of the school remains uncertain, with many hoping their voices will lead to a reconsideration of the proposed relocation. The protest serves as a powerful reminder of the community’s bond and the significant role ASDB plays in the lives of its students and their families.