Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind has a proud and meaningful history rooted in access, opportunity, and educational excellence for students with sensory disabilities. ARDB has been shaped by the histories of the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Arkansas School for the Deaf. As one united school as of 2025, we honor that heritage while focusing on the success of every student we serve.

The Arkansas School for the Deaf was founded in 1849 by John W Woodward in Clarksville, then on July 10, 1867, Joseph Mount, a deaf man who had received instruction at the Pennsylvania Institute for the Deaf, opened a school for deaf children in Little Rock. ASD is the earliest Deaf school established west of the Mississippi River.  From its earliest days, the school focused on providing Deaf children with language access, education, and a strong sense of community at a time when such opportunities were limited.

The Arkansas School for the Blind was established in 1859 in Arkadelphia by Reverend Haucke, a blind minister. It later relocated to Little Rock in the 1860s to the current location of the Governor's Mansion. In 1939, a new building was dedicated by Helen Keller in the school's location on Markham St., allowing the two schools to operate on the same campus while continuing as separate institutions.

For more than a century, both schools served students from across Arkansas, offering not only academics but also residential life, career preparation, and life skills instruction. Each school developed strong traditions, distinct cultures, and a deep commitment to meeting the unique needs of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, and Visually Impaired students.

As education and student needs continued to evolve, leaders recognized the value of greater collaboration and alignment. On July 1, 2025, the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas School for the Blind officially merged to form the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. This historic unification strengthened services, improved coordination, and honored the legacies of both schools while moving forward as one campus community.

The merger also marked the beginning of a new era. Construction is underway on a new instructional building, thoughtfully designed to support the accessibility, learning, and sensory needs of Deaf and Blind students. This modern facility represents ARDB’s continued commitment to high-quality education and to preparing students for life after school.

Today, ARDB proudly stands on more than 175 years of history, united by a shared mission and focused on a future where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and define success in their own way.