Deaf Teacher's Quest Inspires Student

image from Maryland Governor's office
of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Students at the Maryland School for the Deaf are silently marking Keith Nolan's attempt to join the armed services. He's been told "no" for more than a decade because he is deaf. His determination has led to passage of a House bill bearing his name — the Keith Nolan Air Force Deaf Demonstration Act of 2015, which called for a demonstration program, according to the Associated Press. Read the full story here.

The push to allow the deaf to join the military

There's an effort underway to open the door for the deaf to serve in the military. Advocate Keith Nolan tells KFOX-TV, "The military has just a variety of specialty roles and various roles and several of those are things that deaf people and the hard of hearing can do without a doubt." KFOX-TV has a nearly 8 minute video report.

Deaf students rally for military service

North Carolina students are on their way to Washington today for a rally advocating the admission of the deaf to military service. WSOC-TV has a video report.

Proposed law would begin to open the US military to the deaf

Congressman Mark Takano

A bill in the US Congress would allow the deaf to serve in the Air Force. California congressman Mark Takano, a Democrat from California, put the proposed legislation before the House Armed Services Committee. H.R.5296 has the support of the NAD (National Association of the Deaf) and covers people who use hearing aids or cochlear ear implants. If approved, changes would begin with a pilot program, which would be expanded if all goes well. Co-sponsors include four other Democrats: Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts, as well as John Garamendi and Henry Waxman of California. Read the proposal here.

The US military and implants

Marine Maj. Gen. Bob Hedelund recently spoke at a Washington conference on cochlear implants recently, telling attendees that the Defense Department will play a bigger role in research and treatment in the future. Hedelund said, “Marines are serving today with prosthetic legs and arms, and yet we haven’t opened the door on the cochlear implant for somebody who has been rendered deaf, either due to loud noise or prolonged exposure,” according to the Military Times. Read the full story here.

Deaf in the U.S. Military

Senator Harkin pleaded with Defense Secretary Panetta today during a Congressional hearing to allow a pilot program to go forward that would give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to serve in the military. He particularly mentions a deaf man.

Climbing Mt Everest

A serviceman from Bedfordshire, UK who lost his hearing while on tour will climb Mount Everest starting April 11. Chris Gwilt was standing in front of a wall in Afghanistan when a rocket propelled grenade hit it. Gwilt got a cochlear implant later. His climb will raise funds for Walking with the Wounded, an organization that helps former servicemen and women, in an effort to help others wounded in battle received implants. Read more about the climb here.

The chance to serve in the military

Below on DeafNewsToday.com is a video from WJLA-TV in Washington, DC about Keith Nolan, a deaf man fighting for the right to serve his country.

Deaf Rebels Fight in Libya

There is a special unit of 86 deaf soldiers battling against Gaddafi forces in Libya. Read about them here.

Military Deaf ROTC Auditor Fights to Join the Army

The Association Press takes an in depth look at how a California man is fighting to get in the Army. Read the story here.

Let Deaf Americans Serve their Country

Robert Weinstock, special assistant to the provost at Gallaudet University, offers his opinion about the deaf serving in the military. Read it here in the Washington Post.

From Air Force to Gally

A Gallaudet student who left the armed services to become a sign language interpreter is profiled here.

Air Force Base Installs VRS

An Oklahoma Air Force base has installed a video relay system for its deaf employees. Tinker Air Force base selected the Z-150 phone system which uses a relay interpreter service. This makes the Tinker less dependent on interpreting services since there is only one interpreter on the base. The phones were paid for by the Secretary of DefenseComputer/Electronic Accommodations Program.

Hearing Loss Among Troops

One in four soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan have damaged hearing according to the Army.

Deaf Soldier Headed to Iraq

James Raymond has permanent hearing loss that he suffered during his time in Afghanistan. And now, the Army wants to send him to Iraq. Raymond was given an honorable discharge four years ago. Congressman Brian Higgins is asking the Defense Department to postpone Raymond's deployment so there can be a hearing on his ability to serve. He’s schedule to report to Fort Benning, Georgia next month.