Accommodations have not always been something that has been integrated into Americans’ everyday lives. An Accommodation is an adjustment or modification made to an environment, task, or policy to ensure equal access, convenience, or comfort. In this article we’re going to dive into the importance of accommodations and the beginning of the erasure of them. In the deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) community accommodations are extremely important and essential to the community’s everyday life in public spaces. They help to remove barriers and ensure effective communication.
Examples of accommodations are American Sign Language (ASL) , listening devices, captioning services and written communication (these are only a few).
Local broadcast news outlets stream to the public sharing stories including local government news, the economy, the weather and sports. Similar to local news stations, the White House live broadcast their briefings, press releases, speeches from the President and government proceedings to the American people.
The Erasure of Accomodations serving the DHH community
After the pandemic began (2020), President Trump began holding briefings covering the COVID-19 pandemic with the Corona Virus task force. In these briefings ASL interpreters were not in the frame making the only way for people who use ASL as their primary source of communication having to rely on subtitles which are not as effective since ASL helps cover the tone and mood of a sentence, for example; sarcasm, disappointment or awkwardness.
250,000 – 500,000 Americans use ASL as their primary language. This directly violated the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in federal employment and in the employment practices of federal contractors. For comparison, during the pandemic all 50 governors in the US provided ASL interpreters during their briefings. The White House had never provided interpreters while discussing the basis of the COVID-19 emergency. Even though there were federal laws making it necessary for the deaf and DHH community to have access to the news coverage of COVID-19. Judge Amir Ali, who presided over the most recent case, argued that ASL is its own distinct language.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and other individuals a part of the deaf community sued President Trump and the White House staff for the violation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This led to a preliminary briefing which made it required for the White House to have an ASL interpreter at all COVID-19 briefings. Also adding extra stipulations to best support the deaf and HOH community.
The Trump administration appealed this. Eventually during the Biden-Harris Administration in 2021 there was a new policy created stating that a qualified ASL interpreter would be provided at multiple kinds of briefings.
During President Trump’s second term (2025) the White House once again excluded ASL interpreters from briefings.
In 2025, the NAD and two other individuals sued again on a similar basis claiming that a lack of ASL interpreters “infringed upon their right to receive information from the government”. Also with claims that without an interpreter it made it hard to “participate fully in civic life”. Once again, the White House became required to have an “American Sign Language interpretation by a qualified interpreter for all publicly announced White House press briefings conducted by the President or White House Press Secretary that are captured by White House communication channels.” As a result the White House appealed the decision. The White House claimed that such services “intruded” on President Trump’s ability to portray himself to the public.
OP-ED
Given President Trump’s history this would not be seen as surprising to most due to President Trump’s past thought pieces and decisions based on what seems to be only his perspective and personal dealings instead of the well being of the American people. In my opinion, the display of ignorance only adds to his laundry list of his selfish decision making. The subtle but not so subtle erasure of resources millions of Americans rely on to live a not only civic but life alike to their peers. With the pandemic resources and extremely valuable information vital for Americans to know at stake, President Trump still made the decision to remove ASL interpreters which just gives a glimpse into his narrow decision making process. This specific moment makes President Trump’s heavy criticism of DEI come full circle. DEI stands for Diversity Equity and Inclusion. It makes sure people are well represented and receive equal opportunities and no discrimination based on characteristics like race, gender, religion and disability. Disability accommodations are an important part of DEI because they help ensure that people are valued and can fully participate in the environments and experiences we encounter every day.
President Trump has removed all DEI offices and positions in the federal government. A point that President Trump made in regards to why he wanted to get rid of DEI was because it was “reverse discrimination” assuming he means against the white race. He expresses irony and lack of awareness and sensitivity. Trump has not only pressured private companies and universities to end their DEIA but also cut funding from DEIA programs. This makes it harder for those in the deaf and HOH community to receive accommodations and even jobs. With pressures and no safeguards this can disproportionately increase the unemployment rate for those in the disabled community. Instead of rebuilding a system that he expresses is broken he chooses to erase programs and offices that helped people and made sure everyone was seen and discriminated against so carelessly like Trump excluded the deaf and HOH community.
Work Cited
ATA. “U.S. Appeals Order to Use American Sign Language Interpreters at White House Briefings – American Translators Association (ATA).” American Translators Association (ATA), 23 Nov. 2025, www.atanet.org/industry-news/u-s-appeals-order-to-use-american-sign-language-interpreters-at-white-house-briefings/.
Kotkiewicz, Jacqueline. “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors.” The White House, 26 Mar. 2026, www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-addresses-dei-discrimination-by-federal-contractors/.
ACLU. “Trump on DEI and Anti-Discrimination Law | American Civil Liberties Union.” American Civil Liberties Union, 2024, www.aclu.org/trump-on-dei-and-anti-discrimination-law.
“Federal Judge Orders Trump White House to Restore ASL Interpreters for Briefings.” Inclusive Communication Services, 6 Nov. 2025, inclusiveasl.com/event-coverage/federal-judge-orders-trump-white-house-to-restore-asl-interpreters-for-briefings/.
“Lawmakers Ask That a Sign-Language Interpreter Be Added to the White House’s Popular Coronavirus Press Briefings.” U.S. Congressman French Hill, May 2020, hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7166. Accessed 30 June 2026.
ATA. “White House Raises Concerns about Trump’s “Image” in Lawsuit over Sign Language Interpreters – American Translators Association (ATA).” American Translators Association (ATA), 26 Dec. 2025, www.atanet.org/industry-news/white-house-raises-concerns-about-trumps-image-in-lawsuit-over-sign-language-interpreters/.
EARN. “Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act).” Askearn.org, askearn.org/page/the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973-rehab-act.