A deaf vanlifer's mission to help & connect

I couldn’t get hearing aid batteries. Not at the shelter. Not from relief workers. I was completely cut off, not just from sound but from the systems that were supposed to protect me and my family. That moment stuck with me. It planted a seed. What if there were a way to make sure deaf and hard of hearing people were not left behind, not just in disasters but in life?

Even before I got that far, I was already faced with an obstacle building Deaf Roamer. I had just bought a van and was hungry to learn how to convert it, but every tutorial, YouTube video, and walkthrough was made by hearing people. There was no one signing. No deaf-led van build resources. Relying on automatic subtitles was not enough. They were not always accurate, and more importantly, there was no connection. No community.

So I decided to do something about it. I started documenting parts of my own van build in sign language. I did not have all the answers, but I wanted to get the ball rolling. I wanted to inspire more individuals, especially those in the deaf and hard of hearing community, to get out there and start making vanlife videos of their own. To show that we belong in this space too.

That’s where Deaf Roamer truly began to evolve. Today, it is my full-time journey, and my family’s, across the country in our black Sprinter van. But it is not just about travel. It is about connection, visibility, and inclusion. It is about showing that we, as deaf individuals and families, can live fully, roam freely, and inspire others along the way.

Everywhere we go, I meet people. Sometimes strangers who become friends, sometimes families who have never met a deaf traveler before, sometimes kids who remind me of my own. These moments are everything. We share stories, ideas, laughs.

Through social media and personal interactions, I have been able to build a growing community of deaf and hard of hearing people who want to explore the world on their own terms. I have received messages from deaf teens who never knew vanlife was an option for them. Parents who now feel more confident traveling with their deaf children. And hearing people who are learning to understand a world beyond sound.

One of the biggest moments for Deaf Roamer was becoming an ambassador for Agile Offroad. This was not just about gear. It was about belonging. When they featured me in their group campaign, it sent a message. The outdoor and overland world includes us. Being recognized by a respected brand like Agile was a powerful step. I hope more companies follow their lead, not just in sponsorship but in listening to voices they may have overlooked.

Deaf Roamer is also a platform to advocate, not just for visibility but for accessibility in travel and outdoor tech. I share my experiences, tips, and challenges so others can feel more prepared and less alone. Whether it is how I navigate the road without sound, how I stay safe while camping, or what gear actually works for my needs, I try to make the journey easier for those coming behind me.

This movement is not about me. It is about us. About all of us who roam a little differently, who hear the world in ways that do not rely on ears. It is about building bridges, fostering community, and reminding people that inclusion is not a feature. It is a foundation.

It is already built as an off-road, adventure-ready vehicle, so why not use it to support individuals who are often overlooked during natural disasters, especially in the deaf and hard of hearing community? I want to be able to hand out hearing aid batteries, offer a Wi-Fi hotspot so people can reach loved ones, provide a power station to charge vital equipment, and, with the help of partnering companies, distribute food and paper products.

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals are frequently forgotten in crisis response. I believe this van can help change that narrative.

Deaf Roamer means more than just hitting the road. It means leading with heart, inviting others along, and making sure no one is left behind. I am still at the very beginning of this journey. The van is nearly finished, the website just launched, and I am in the early stages of designing Deaf Roamer merchandise. Travel plans are coming together, and every day I am learning, growing, and reaching new people. Right now, I may only have a few hundred followers, but that is not the measure of what I am building. This is about impact, not numbers. I believe the community will grow as the mission spreads.

During this journey, I also hope to partner with companies that believe in accessibility and inclusion. To build meaningful relationships and work together on solutions that make the outdoors, travel, and technology more deaf-friendly. Whether it is co-creating new tools, improving existing gear, or simply spreading awareness through collaboration, I believe we can move the industry forward together.

So I will keep driving. I will keep sharing. And I will keep meeting people who remind me why I started this in the first place. Because this world is wide, and we all deserve to roam it in our own way.

Roam on.