Families gathered outside the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB) on October 15, 2023, to protest the school’s planned relocation to Copper Creek Elementary in Oro Valley. Parents, students, and alumni expressed deep concerns that the move would disrupt their close-knit community and diminish the support system that the school has cultivated over the years.
The protest included a diverse group of participants who consider ASDB more than just an educational institution; for many, it represents a second home. “I’m glad that I have friends here. I have my two best friends here,” said Brandon Trivitt, a current student at ASDB. His mother, Rebekah Trivitt, an alumna of the school, emphasized the impact it had on her life. “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 stated.
The news of the relocation has left many students and families heartbroken. “I’d be really sad and kind of mad about the school shutting down,” Brandon Trivitt added, highlighting his five years at ASDB. “This is like my home away from home.” Rebekah Trivitt voiced her concerns about the broader implications of the move. “If ASDB goes away, it’s going to hurt a lot of people. It’s really going to damage the blind community,” she said.
Community Voices Against Discrimination
The protest was organized by Derrall Peach, who initiated the rally to advocate for equal access to education for his daughter and her peers. He underscored the need for schools that cater specifically to the needs of deaf and blind students. “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,” Peach explained.
ASDB senior Jamal Stell joined the protest to advocate for both current and future students. “I’m doing this for not only me and the rest of this year, but for the community. What they’ve done is very discriminatory towards the blind community. It also impacts the deaf community as well,” Stell said, emphasizing the importance of keeping the school open.
Other students echoed Stell’s sentiments, with many having transferred 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.”
A Call for Continued Support
Stell urged the community to maintain their support in the fight against the relocation. “I want to say to all those out there to continue to support us and 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 stated passionately.
The outpouring of support from families and students illustrates the deep emotional connection to ASDB and the potential consequences of its relocation. As the protest continues, advocates remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that the school will remain a cornerstone of support for the deaf and blind communities in Arizona.
