Don Olds, an American Sign Language (ASL) - fluent Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) instructor, has made a substantial and lasting impact on the trucking industry by providing specialized training for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Based in Big Spring, Texas, Olds serves as the lead CDL instructor at Action Career Training, where he draws upon decades of professional driving experience, having entered the trucking field in 1996.

Over the course of his career, Olds has successfully trained more than forty deaf students, in addition to numerous hearing students, in the safe and professional operation of commercial motor vehicles. His dual expertise in both truck driving and ASL enables him to break down communication barriers that often hinder access to vocational training for deaf learners. By delivering instruction that is both technically rigorous and linguistically accessible, Olds ensures his students gain not only the practical skills required for CDL certification but also the confidence to succeed in a competitive industry.

Many of his graduates have gone on to obtain their CDL credentials and secure employment across various sectors of the transportation industry. Through his inclusive teaching approach, Olds exemplifies the vital role of advocacy, accessibility, and skill-building in preparing the next generation of drivers, thereby strengthening diversity and opportunity within the trucking profession.