The Helen Keller National Center is a national rehabilitation program for youth and adults who are deaf-blind. Our headquarters is on Long Island in New York. We also have 10 regional offices. Among those to whom we provide services are individuals who are deaf-blind due to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Individuals whose mothers contracted rubella, or German measles, during the first trimester of their pregnancy were often born deaf and/or blind with additional disabilities. Research has shown that as this group reached its 20s and 30s, additional medical problems developed in some members of this population. HKNC has collected and disseminated information on these late onset manifestations.

This e-group has been established as a vehicle for parents, consumers and professionals to share information about any aspect of rubella and to provide support to those living or working with someone with congenital rubella syndrome.