A bill to require a demonstration program on the accession as Air Force officers of candidates with auditory impairments.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9062)
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Dec 19, 2013
Requires the Secretary of the Air Force to carry out a demonstration program to assess the feasibility and advisability of permitting individuals with auditory impairments (including deafness) access as officers of the Air Force.
Authorizes between 15 and 20 individuals who are deaf or have a range of other auditory impairments, who otherwise meet all essential qualifications for accession as an officer of the Air Force, and who have not previously served as officers to participate in such program.
Requires selected participants to undergo the Basic Officer Training course or the Commissioned Officer Training course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, at the election of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to designate a special advisor to act as a resource for participants, as well as a liaison between participants and those providing the officer training.
Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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