In 2022, federal regulations went into effect allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter. It was a huge step in access for many Americans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. 

But for the deaf and children with disabilities in other countries such as Kenya, there is still a fight happening for equal rights. Inspired by her parents New York native Marcy Reisinger started Hearts That Hear.

“My inspiration is really my parents," Reisinger said. 

With two deaf parents, Reisinger grew up in the deaf community, before ADA laws existed.

“Being part of that and being part of the community before they had really specific rights, made me want to do more for places that didn't have rights," Reisinger said.

What You Need to Know
  • The organization “Hearts that Hear” built a school for kids with special needs, where they learn sign language, live in dorms, and receive education that was never given to them.

     

  • Marcy Reisinger founded the organization to help kids with disabilities in Kenya who she describes as "thrown away" by society.
  • The school has 75 children enrolled and its free to learn and live there.

Reisinger’s organization built a school in Kenya for kids with special needs, where the children could learn sign language, live in dorms, and receive the education that was never given to them.

“Deaf children and disabled children in Kenya are really thrown away. Kids in Kenya can technically go to school for free, except they can't go to special needs schools for free," Reisinger said.

The school currently enrolls 75 children with tuition, and room and board covered.

The organization also partners with students in New York, through a pen pal program.

“Our Pen Pal program helps create global connections and it helps kids understand what children are going through in a third- world nation," said Reisinger.