Deaf Archives

Tragic Cellmate Assignment: Lawsuit Uncovers Fatal Vulnerability of Deaf Inmate Strangled in Baltimore Jail

BALTIMORE — The tragic death of Javarick Gantt, who was found strangled in a jail cell last year, has cast a spotlight on the vulnerabilities of inmates with disabilities in correctional facilities. According to a lawsuit filed by his family, Gantt’s death underscores severe lapses in safety and communication protocols at the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center. Gantt, who was deaf, struggled to convey his needs and concerns to prison staff and fellow inmates, …

Shocking Mid-Flight Incident: United Passenger Assaults Deaf, Non-Verbal Man

A shocking incident unfolded aboard a United Airlines flight where a deaf, non-verbal man became the victim of a violent assault by a fellow passenger, sparking a wave of concern over air travel safety and the protection of vulnerable individuals. Details are emerging about the ordeal that occurred mid-air as the aircraft, traveling from Houston to Los Angeles, became the scene of what authorities described as an unprovoked and brutal attack. The victim, a young …

Deaf dog euthanised after violent attack on woman in Sydney home

Condell Park, Sydney – A woman in her 30s was attacked by an American Staffordshire Terrier, commonly known as a staffy, at a home in Condell Park, leaving her with serious injuries to her upper body. The dog was euthanised after the violent attack, as it was deemed unrehabilitable by the City of Canterbury Bankstown spokesperson. The woman sustained multiple bite wounds to her chest and limbs and was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a …

Woman of Deceased Man from Lewiston Mass Shooting Advocates for Deaf Community

LEWISTON, Maine – Megan Vozzella, the wife of a man who was tragically killed in a mass shooting, is speaking out on behalf of the deaf community. She met her late husband, Stephen Vozzella, 12 years ago. The couple was just two weeks away from celebrating their first wedding anniversary when he was shot and killed. Stephen Vozzella was a member of the deaf community, and his wife is now advocating for the rights and …

Widow of Shooting Victim Advocates for Deaf Community and Gun Reform

LEWISTON, Maine — Megan Vozzella cherishes the memories she made with her late husband Stephen. They met while he was living and working in the Boston area, but their relationship blossomed during a large camping trip near Bar Harbor. After 12 years together, they finally married in November 2022, only to have their happiness shattered when Stephen was tragically killed outside Schemengee’s Bar & Grille on October 25, 2023. Along with 17 others, Stephen was …

Mass Shooting Leaves Deaf Community in Pain and Unity

LEWISTON, Maine – This holiday season has been a difficult one for Liz Seal and her four children. In October 2023, her husband Josh was one of 18 people killed in a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. More than two months since the tragedy, Seal, who is deaf, shared that she, her family, and her friends are still grappling with the pain. Despite the ongoing struggle, Seal and others in the community have come together …