The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) has received five more years of federal funding to build on what we've learned—and bring effective strategies, resources, and partnerships to more deaf students, professionals, schools, agencies, and states.
With a $20 million award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs, Director Carrie Lou Bloom and the NDC team will expand this work significantly, including deeper state-level partnerships.
What the Last Five Years Made Possible
engaged with our courses—not because they had to, but because deaf professionals designed them.
have used Deafverse, our accessible college and career readiness platform for deaf students and educators.
earned certificates in deaf awareness, accessible practices, and deaf youth centered services.
This work happened because deaf professionals led it. Because educators and organizations put it into practice. And because deaf students and communities helped shape what came next.
What This Funding Actually Means
We're not simply continuing the work. We're going deeper.
For deaf students
Stronger support during transition. More opportunities to build career readiness. Technology and resources designed with deaf students in mind. Practical tools for everything from student-led IEPs to navigating college, careers, AI, requesting accommodations, and working with vocational rehabilitation.
For educators and professionals
Intensive peer learning, practical implementation support, and access to evidence about what is working in real settings. Professional development shaped and led by deaf professionals.
For states and systems
Stronger connections across education, vocational rehabilitation, workforce, and community organizations. Multi-year partnerships focused on building local capacity, improving coordination, and creating models that can be sustained and adapted elsewhere.
Why This Matters Now
Over the past five years, we've learned a great deal about what helps institutions and systems create better opportunities for deaf students. The next challenge is taking those lessons further: reaching students whose opportunities still depend too heavily on where they live, where they go to school, and what resources happen to be available locally. This funding gives us the opportunity to change that.
What's Coming
- Expanded resources
- Stronger regional partnerships
- New coursework and tools
- State teams working together to improve transition systems
- Continued documentation of what works so successful approaches can spread
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