The Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund is independent of the Kansas Deaf-Blind Project. The only connection is that in order to qualify for funds from the Kansas State Department of Education Deaf-Blind fund learners need to be certified Deaf-Blind by the Kansas Deaf-Blind Project and counted on the national census.

For Deaf-Blind Fund Assistance call or contact Joan Houghton Director, The Kansas State Deaf-Blind Fund 785.296.2515 (V), Cynthia Penrod, The Kansas State Deaf-Blind Fund Administrative Assistant at 785.296.7454(V) or contact the toll free number 1.800.203.9462.

Kansas is the only state that has a special fund appropriated by the legislature to support students who are deaf-blind in their educational programs. This fund is adminsitered by the Kansas State Department of Education. The Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund is used to offset costs associated with educating students who are deaf-blind and who have current certification on the Kansas Deaf-Blind Census. The Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund provides funding in the following areas; (1) assistive technology (including adaptive equipment), (2) consultation, and (3) evaluation as described in the Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund Brochure (PDF) [under revision]. Students with current certification can be awarded up to $3000.00 per fiscal year from July 1 to December 31 based on fund availability and approval by the staff of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and are given on a first come, first serve basis.

The fund becomes available to students with severe multiple disabilities beginning December 31. Students with severe multiple disabilities also can be awarded up to $3,000.00 per fiscal year based on fund availability and KSDE staff approval.

Local education agencies can submit applications for the Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund no sooner than May 15 of the fiscal year. The applications will be date stamped in order of receipt and held until July 1 when they can be processed. The criteria for receiving funds are outlined in The Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund Question and Answer Application. The application for the Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund must be submitted to the Kansas State Department of Education. The Kansas Deaf-Blind Project at the University of Kansas only accepts applications for certification, training and technical assistance.