Your original media source for hearing health, disabilities, and wellness
Disabilities
American Abilities Television tells stories of ability and resilience — people with disabilities at school, at work, in service and at home.
Explore our programs, the Americans with Disabilities Act and answers about rights and benefits, together with our hearing health and wellness coverage.
Disabilities programs on AATV
Episode 793
American Abilities Columbus Day
Explore Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day — the history, differing perspectives, and hearing-health concerns of Indigenous communities.
Episode 789
From Surviving to Thriving: A Journey of Recovery
Episode 789 closes Season 18 with a single documentary from the U.S.
Episode 787
Healthy Communities: Prevention Where We Live
Episode 787 is about making the healthy choice the easier choice.
Episode 786
Early Answers: Newborn Screening Saves Lives
Episode 786 is about the first days of life and the answers that come from checking early.
Episode 785
Above and Beyond: Inside Today's Air Force
Episode 785 goes inside the U.S.
Episode 784
The Brain Explained: ADHD and Mental Health
Eight segments from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics span mental health from the youngest children to adults.
Episode 782
Aboard the Space Station: Loud, Weightless, Remarkable
Episode 782 takes viewers aboard the International Space Station through three NASA productions — and one astronaut ties them together.
Episode 781
Understanding PTSD — and the Treatments That Work
Episode 781 is a full half-hour on posttraumatic stress disorder, built entirely from the U.S.
Episode 779
A Path to Work, in American Sign Language
Episode 779 is about work, independence, and access.
Questions people ask
Is hearing loss a disability?
It can be. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), hearing loss is a disability when it substantially limits a major life activity such as hearing or communicating. That gives you a right to reasonable accommodations at work, school, and in public places, such as captioning or interpreters.
Full answer →How much do veterans get for hearing loss?
The VA rates hearing loss using two hearing tests: a speech test and a tone test. Many hearing loss ratings are 0%, which pays no monthly money, but a service-connected rating still gives you VA hearing care, including hearing aids.
Full answer →Do businesses have to provide a sign language interpreter?
Under the ADA, businesses, state and local governments, and hospitals must communicate effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. That can mean a qualified interpreter, captioning, written notes or other aids, depending on the situation.
Full answer →What are my rights at work if I have hearing loss?
Employers with 15 or more workers cannot treat you unfairly because of hearing loss, and must provide reasonable accommodations unless that would cause undue hardship.
Full answer →