Families gathered outside the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB) in Phoenix on March 15, 2024, to protest the school’s proposed relocation to Copper Creek Elementary in Oro Valley. Parents, students, and alumni expressed concerns that moving the school would disrupt their close-knit community and diminish the unique support it provides to students with visual and hearing impairments.
The protest drew several participants who view ASDB as more than just an educational institution. For many, it is a vital part of their lives. “I’m glad that I have friends here. I have my two best friends here,” remarked Brandon Trivitt, a current student. His mother, Rebekah Trivitt, an ASDB alumna, emphasized the school’s role in fostering a sense of belonging. “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,” she shared.
The news of ASDB’s relocation has left many families feeling heartbroken. “I’d be really sad and kind of mad about the school shutting down,” Brandon Trivitt added. He has attended ASDB for five years, describing it as “my home away from home.” Rebekah Trivitt voiced broader concerns, stating, “If ASDB goes away, it’s going to hurt a lot of people. It’s really going to damage the blind community.”
Derrall Peach, an organizer of the protest and father to a current student, highlighted the need for equal educational opportunities. “We want our kids to have the same benefits and rights as everybody else. They deserve to go to the school for the deaf and blind. That’s what it’s here for,” he said.
Joining the protest was ASDB senior Jamal Stell, who advocated for current and future students. “I’m doing this not just for myself and the rest of this year, but for the community. I believe that what they’ve done is very discriminatory towards the blind community, and it also impacts the deaf community as well,” Stell stated.
Other students echoed similar sentiments, sharing their experiences of transitioning from public schools where they faced challenges. “Some of these people came from public school and had terrible experiences like I did,” said former ASDB student Claeb Cody. “It’s terrible to think that others may experience the same thing I experienced.”
Stell called for continued support from the community in their fight to keep ASDB open. “I want to say to all those out there to continue to support us and help fight to keep this campus open, because this is important for both blind and deaf communities together. This keeps us all together,” he urged.
As the protest unfolded, the community’s passion for preserving their school and the connections it fosters was evident. The future of ASDB remains uncertain, but the voices of those who consider it home are resolute in their commitment to safeguarding its legacy.
