The new 89,000-square-foot academic building anchors a unified campus for the Arkansas Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Designed to serve pre-K through 12th grade students, the facility includes general classrooms, STEAM labs, a media center with maker space, dining areas, support services, and a flexible multipurpose room that doubles as a storm shelter. Classrooms are adaptable for various teaching styles and future expansion. Technology enhancements and assistive tools support accessible, multimodal learning. Informed by DeafSpace principles and universal design, the space empowers all learners through equity, inclusion, and independence.
Shape
Shaped through over 55+ engagement sessions with students, faculty, families, and state leaders, the design reflects a deep understanding of both individual needs and shared goals. Flexible classrooms, breakout zones, and adaptable labs support hands-on, experiential learning for Deaf and Blind students alike. Shared spaces like the STEAM labs and media center foster interdisciplinary collaboration and social connection across age groups. By integrating acoustic control with visual openness, the design balances the sensory needs of both communities offering an inclusive learning environment where flexibility, accessibility, and engagement are woven into every detail.
Inspire
This project reimagines inclusive education by uniting Deaf and Blind learners under one roof in a space built for connection, access, and discovery. The consolidated layout improves navigation, reduces transitions, and promotes interaction among students and staff. Though not yet occupied, the design is already reshaping expectations for what an inclusive learning environment can be, transforming outdated facilities into a forward-thinking, community-centered campus. The project enhances Mackey Mitchell’s expertise in Learning Environment Innovation and builds on our commitment to designing for neurodiverse and sensory-specific learners in meaningful, measurable ways.
All students deserve a quality education tailored to their needs, and this critical investment couldn’t come soon enough.
- Sarah Huckabee Sanders 47th Governor of Arkansas
