On August 23, 2019, during the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas, Texas, administrators from Deaf Truckers United (DTU) participated in a pivotal meeting with representatives of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This gathering brought together federal regulators, industry leaders, and driver advocates to address key issues impacting professional truckers nationwide. For DTU, it was a crucial opportunity to ensure that the voices of Deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers were heard at one of the trucking industry’s largest annual events.

The Great American Trucking Show is a major convention that draws tens of thousands of attendees, including company representatives, government agencies, and driver associations. By hosting FMCSA sessions at GATS, the agency creates a rare in-person forum where drivers can engage directly with decision-makers, ask questions, and raise concerns about regulations.

During the August 2019 meeting, DTU administrators focused on:

• Advocating for Accessibility - Urging FMCSA to address regulatory barriers faced by Deaf drivers, particularly the DOT’s hearing standard and the process for obtaining hearing exemptions.
• Sharing Success Stories - Highlighting real-life examples of Deaf truckers who maintain exemplary safety records and professional performance.
• Identifying Policy Improvements - Recommending ways to streamline the exemption process, improve communication during training and testing, and increase employer awareness of Deaf drivers’ capabilities.
• Building Federal Relationships - Establishing stronger connections between FMCSA representatives and the Deaf trucking community to ensure ongoing collaboration.

For DTU, attending the FMCSA meeting at GATS reinforced the organization’s mission to work both within the industry and with government regulators to create equal opportunities for Deaf drivers. It was also an empowering moment for DTU members, as they were able to speak face-to-face with those who shape the rules governing their livelihoods.

In essence, the August 23, 2019 FMCSA meeting at GATS symbolized progress, bringing advocacy out of online discussions and directly into the halls of policymaking, in full view of the trucking industry’s largest stage.