Access & Culture Update
November 2025 saw a shift from theoretical policy to aggressive enforcement. The most critical development is the Department of Justice’s formal investigation into United Parks & Resorts, specifically targeting SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. This challenges the “safety” arguments often used to restrict mobility aids, signaling that the DOJ is losing patience with venue-specific exclusions that override ADA standards.
Simultaneously, a massive legislative battle has opened in Washington. The proposal to move the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services has triggered immediate, high-level opposition from the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). This potential reclassification frames Deaf education as a “medical issue” rather than a civil right, a semantic move with dangerous funding implications. For corporate leaders, these two stories underscore a singular theme for Q4: compliance is no longer just about digital tools. It is about the fundamental rights of access in physical spaces and educational systems.
Policy & Legal
DOJ Investigates United Parks & Resorts (Nov 25): The US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division launched a probe into United Parks & Resorts (parent company of SeaWorld and Busch Gardens) regarding their ban on specific mobility aids. Venues can no longer hide behind broad “safety” claims to ban ADA-compliant devices; expect this to set a precedent for entertainment venues nationwide.
NAD Opposes IDEA Agency Transfer (Nov 10): The National Association of the Deaf formally opposed the proposed transfer of IDEA administration from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The NAD argues this shifts the lens of Deaf education from civil rights to a medical model.
FCC Broadband Label Transparency (Nov 26): The FCC released a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking to streamline “Broadband Nutrition Labels.” The proposal aims to reduce compliance burdens while maintaining accessibility, a critical move for ensuring HoH consumers can compare service plans clearly.
White House ASL Access Update (Nov 21): The NAD Legal Director provided a critical update on ongoing negotiations to institutionalize ASL interpreters for all public White House briefings, ensuring access survives administrative changes.
EyeMed Data Breach Settlement Deadline (Dec 11): A reminder for HR and Compliance officers that the deadline for the EyeMed settlement, which affects many employees with hearing benefits, approaches in early December. Payouts for documented losses are capped at $10,000.
Trucking School Misclassification Settlement (Nov 28): A New Jersey trucking school reached a costly settlement regarding the misclassification of students. While broader in scope, this touches on vocational training accessibility and rights for students with disabilities entering trade work.
Hardware & Hearing Tech
MarkeTrak 2025 Data Released (Nov 2025): The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) released key findings from MarkeTrak 2025. Data indicates a 60% first-time buyer rate for hearing devices, driven largely by the normalization of OTC options and wearables.
OTC Market Valuation Hits $996M: New market analysis confirms the US Over-the-Counter hearing aid market reached a valuation of $996.36 million in 2025, with North America commanding nearly 43% of the global share.
Cochlear “Smart Sync” Firmware (Nov 27): Cochlear (ASX:COH) introduced the Nucleus Nexa with “Smart Sync,” the first implant to feature upgradeable internal firmware. This allows users to update sound processing capabilities without surgical intervention.
Starkey “Omega AI” Market Entry (Q4 2025): Following its October launch, Starkey’s “Omega AI” with DNN 360 (Deep Neural Network) is seeing rapid adoption in the US market, positioning itself as a direct competitor to prescription-level consumer wearables.
Hearing Health Foundation Grants (Nov 5): The HHF announced its 2026 Emerging Research Grants cycle, funding critical studies into gene therapy for hereditary deafness and hair cell regeneration.
Digital Accessibility & AI
Google Pixel Drop Updates (Nov 11): The November software update for Pixel devices introduced “Live Video” for emergency calling. This allows Deaf users to stream video directly to 911 dispatchers, an improvement for emergency accessibility. TechRepublic
“Call Notes” AI Summarization (Nov 11): Google’s update also included “Call Notes,” an on-device AI that generates transcripts and summaries of phone conversations. This challenges traditional captioning apps by integrating the feature directly into the OS. YouTube / Google
WAVE Tool Updated (Nov 2025): WebAIM released version 3.3.0.3 of the WAVE accessibility evaluation tool. The update improves ARIA heading support and “prefers-reduced-motion” detection, critical for developers auditing for WCAG compliance. Chrome Web Store
2025 Lawsuit Projections (Nov 2025): A new report from AccessiBe projects that digital accessibility lawsuits will hit nearly 5,000 in 2025, a 20% increase YoY. E-commerce remains the primary target (69% of cases). AccessiBe
Sign AI Momentum (Nov 2025): The Deaf-led startup “Sign AI” continues to gain traction with its ethical, community-driven approach to ASL recognition, differentiating itself from “big tech” models by employing Deaf linguists at the foundational level. Sign AI Blog
Community & Culture
Gallaudet Global Celebration (Nov 12-15): Gallaudet University hosted its inaugural “Global Gallaudet Celebration,” a four-day event highlighting the university’s 160-year impact on international Deaf education and economic development. Gallaudet University
“Elephant Shoes” Musical Preview (Nov 2025): Deaf West Theatre, in collaboration with Two River Theater, continued previews and industry showcases for the original musical Elephant Shoes, which blends spoken English, ASL, and projection technology. Broadway World
Gallaudet Athletics Success (Nov 25): The Gallaudet Bison women’s volleyball and flag football programs received significant coverage this month, with the university announcing a move to varsity status for flag football in the 2025-2026 academic year. Gallaudet Athletics
CSD Nonprofit Funding (Nov 19): Chris Soukup, CEO of Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), published a strategic call to action for the “Deaf Organizations Fund,” aiming to raise $200k to resource smaller Deaf-led nonprofits across the US. Deaf Organizations Fund
Deaf Organizations Fund Impact (Nov 2025): The fund highlighted the critical “1% crisis” where Deaf nonprofits are significantly underfunded compared to broader disability organizations, urging corporate sponsors to diversify their DEI giving. Deaf Organizations Fund
News in Brief
Policy: The deadline for the EyeMed data breach settlement is December 11, 2025; claimants can receive up to $10,000. The English Project
Tech: Google’s “Scam Detection” for Pixel now uses on-device AI to warn users of potential fraud in real-time, a boon for vulnerable HoH seniors. TechRepublic
Legal: Fashion Nova’s settlement regarding screen reader accessibility closed its claim window, but serves as a warning for Q4 retail compliance. The English Project
Education: Gallaudet University celebrated 160 students receiving graduate degrees, including the first PhD in Accessible Human-Centered Computing. Gallaudet University
Event: The “Communication Interventions with Deaf People” conference offered hybrid attendance options for US professionals on Nov 20. City St George’s
Research: New findings suggest “hidden hearing loss” may be detectable via music perception tests rather than standard audiograms. Hearing Health Foundation
Regional: United Parks & Resorts faces intensified scrutiny in Florida following the DOJ announcement on Nov 25. Osceola News-Gazette
Sports: Gallaudet’s women’s flag football team is set to join the United East Conference as a varsity sport next spring. Gallaudet Athletics
