Hearing impaired child testifies before lawmakers

LEDYARD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A young Ledyard girl spoke out, and a Bill of Rights for the deaf and hearing impaired students is now law in our state.

That girl, Rachel Kane, suffers from hearing loss.

The amazing 11-year-old girl who didn't think twice about testifying before state legislators said she just wanted to help other students who were just like her.

Like a lot of children, Rachel plays a musical instrument, but few have testified before state legislators on a bill close to their heart.

"Just by sharing my opinion, it's had a really powerful impact and I'm glad that I did it," Rachel said.

Rachel was born with hearing loss in both ears.

"I wouldn't have known, I don't know when I would have known," said Sharon Kane, Rachel's mother.

It was detected by pre-screening hearing tests for newborns.

Now 11-year-old Rachel and her mother credit her success at school to living in Ledyard and attending Integrated Day Charter, where her special needs are addressed.

"We had an FM system, a transmitter that had a microphone in it and all my teachers wear it so I can hear better at school," Rachel said.

Determined to help others, Rachel spoke in favor of a Bill of Rights for deaf and hearing impaired students. It requires schools to implement an individualized plan to meet their hearing needs so they too can be as successful at school as Rachel.

"My audiologist said it would be better if she can sit with her back to the wall during lunch, in noisy times, in the classroom and during lunch time I sit at the spot with my back to the wall so I can hear better," Rachel said.

"She's doing excellent in school and had she not had these special needs provided, she would definitely not be in the range that she is in," Kane said about her daughter.

Rachel was there when Governor Malloy signed the bill last week.

"The very first pen he used to sign the bill," Rachel said waving the pen.

She went on to say, "I knew what I was doing was right, so I didn't think there was any need to be scared."