Segment 1: History of deaf discrimination in the United States. Members of the hearing-impaired community oft face unique challenges when living in America. We discuss the history of persecution against people with deafness in the United States as well as milestones alongside the path to equal rights. Also, meet the local instructor who teaches deaf refugees their first language: American Sign Language. For a full transcript of this segment, click here . Rev. Debbie J. Buchholz , pastor, Deaf