Overview
Title
To require the Bureau of the Census to collect information on deafblind individuals, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 2947 is a plan to help figure out how many people in the U.S. can't see or hear well, by counting them better in a big survey every year, so that their needs can be understood and supported better.
Summary AI
H. R. 2947 aims to improve data collection on individuals in the United States who are both deaf and blind. The bill requires the Bureau of the Census to explore how feasible it is to publish data and expand surveys to include detailed information on deafblind individuals. Starting in 2026, the Census Bureau would publish a table each year showing the number of respondents to a survey who identify as deaf and blind, along with their demographics and economic characteristics, while ensuring no personal information is disclosed. This effort is intended to provide a more accurate count of the deafblind population, thereby helping to better serve their needs.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives bill, H.R. 2947, proposes new requirements for the Bureau of the Census to collect and disseminate data on individuals who are both deaf and blind in the United States. Titled the "Deafblind Disabled Americans Table Approximation Act" or "Deafblind DATA Act," the legislation centers on assessing the feasibility of publishing specific data and expanding the scope of the American Community Survey to include more comprehensive information on individuals who experience combined hearing and vision loss. The goal is to produce an annual table starting in 2026, highlighting demographic and economic details of those identified as deafblind, with measures in place to ensure privacy.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the major challenges this bill faces is the absence of a clear financial plan for executing the proposed data collection and publication tasks. Without specified funding or budget allocations, the initiative may encounter resource constraints and unexpected budgetary issues. Furthermore, the criteria for defining "deafblindness" remain unclear, which could affect the consistency and reliability of the data collected. The policy also proposes only a 180-day window for initial feasibility reporting, which many consider insufficient for a detailed analysis. Moreover, privacy measures beyond excluding personally identifiable information need more explicit definition to ensure robust data protections.
Impact on the Public Broadly
Accurate data collection on the deafblind population could significantly impact public policy and resource allocation. By having a clearer understanding of how many people are affected, programs can be tailored more effectively to meet their unique needs. This could lead to improvements in accessibility, education, employment opportunities, and healthcare options for the deafblind community. For the broader public, the increased accuracy and awareness could foster inclusive practices and greater societal understanding of accessibility issues.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For the deafblind community, this bill represents a positive step toward visibility and inclusiveness. Accurate data could help drive more targeted support services and policies, potentially improving quality of life and socio-economic outcomes. However, this positive impact depends heavily on the bill's proper implementation, particularly concerning how 'deafblindness' is defined and how effectively data privacy is maintained.
Organizations serving the deafblind community stand to benefit as well, as better data could mean more support and validation for their advocacy efforts. However, without a clear methodological framework for data collection or funding, these stakeholders might initially face challenges in accessing the anticipated improvements.
Conversely, the Bureau of the Census may face significant pressure to execute these new tasks efficiently and within budget. The additional workload could strain existing resources unless properly supported by clear financial planning and operational guidelines.
In summary, while the bill outlines a potentially transformative approach to supporting the deafblind community, its success hinges on resolving funding and methodological issues, ensuring privacy, and developing a specific framework for accurately counting and understanding the unique needs of this population.
Issues
The bill does not specify the organization responsible for maintaining the centralized count of the deafblind population, which could lead to implementation challenges. (Section 1)
There is a lack of financial detail regarding funding or budget allocation for the collection, reporting, and publication processes, which may result in potential resource allocation issues or unexpected budget implications. (Sections 1 and 2)
The absence of a clear definition or criteria for 'deafblindness' or 'combined hearing and vision loss' could lead to inconsistencies or inaccuracies in data collection and reporting. (Sections 1 and 2)
The short timeline of 180 days for submitting the initial feasibility report might be impractical, risking an incomplete or rushed analysis. (Section 2)
Privacy measures are not sufficiently detailed beyond the exclusion of personally identifiable information, causing potential concerns about data protection. (Section 2)
Combining data from different surveys without a specified methodology could introduce inconsistencies, impacting the reliability of the estimates of the deafblind population. (Section 1)
The policy lacks clarity on the systematic approach for cross-referencing existing data and verifying accuracy, which is crucial for the reliability of the centralized count. (Section 1)
There is ambiguity in the endorsed or recommended estimates for the deafblind population, as estimates from various organizations differ significantly. (Section 1)
The intended outcome or application of the centralized count, once established, is not clearly defined, which might affect how effectively these measures serve the needs of the deafblind community. (Section 1)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title; findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text outlines the need for an accurate count of individuals who are deafblind in the United States. It observes that current estimates vary widely and that the Bureau of the Census does not specifically track this data, which is important to effectively support the deafblind community.
2. Report and publication on deafblind individuals Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires the Director of the Census Bureau to report on how feasible it is to gather more detailed data about people who are both deaf and blind. Starting in 2026, the Census Bureau must publish a table each year on its website showing demographic and economic details about these individuals, while ensuring personal information remains private.