Worldwide Business with kathy ireland®
March 12, 2021
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Nicole Fleming’s journey into deafness and nursing is a powerful example of how lived experiences can transform healthcare and education. Nicole experienced progressive hearing loss during her late teens and was profoundly deaf by the time she graduated from college. Being in Rochester, New York, home to a strong Deaf community, allowed her to learn American Sign Language (ASL), use interpreters, and build a bilingual communication approach that includes both ASL and spoken language. In 2021, Fleming received bilateral cochlear implants, which she uses alongside ASL depending on context and access needs.
Nicole began college at the University of Rochester intending to study music and neuroscience. As Fleming’s hearing deteriorated, these programs became inaccessible, prompting her to pivot toward ASL and general biology. Early assistive technology provided limited benefit, but once she began using ASL interpreters, her academic success improved significantly.
She later completed an accelerated nursing program at the same university, using CART captioning and ASL interpreters throughout classes, labs, and clinical rotations. These accommodations ensured full access to complex medical terminology and real-time communication—critical tools for success in nursing education.
After graduating in 2020, Nicole entered the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining pediatric experience in hospital settings. In 2025, she returned closer to home and became a middle school nurse in Winchendon, Massachusetts. School nursing allows her to combine healthcare, education, and prevention while creating an accessible environment for both herself and her students.
Fleming has experienced firsthand how standard medical masks create barriers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing professionals. Clear window masks, such as The Communicator™, significantly improve communication by restoring visual access, especially important when working with interpreters and navigating medical terminology. Today, Fleming keeps accessible masks available in her school office to ensure safety and understanding go hand in hand.
Life as a Deaf ProfessionalDeafness has brought both challenges and growth. Everyday communication requires planning and energy, even with cochlear implants. At the same time, Fleming has developed strong advocacy skills, heightened awareness of inclusion, and a deep respect for rest and balance. Her perspective has made her a more intentional listener and leader.
Nicole’s hearing service dog, Freya, came from Dogs for Better Lives. Freya alerts Nicole to important sounds and provides general sound awareness in public and professional settings. Beyond functional support, Freya helps break down social barriers and brings comfort to students and staff alike. Freya accompanies Nicole to work, where the pair are a beloved part of the school community.
Nicole uses a variety of communication strategies such as ASL, interpreters, speech-to-text tools, translation apps, and written communication, to meet people where they are. Her work helps normalize accessibility, so accommodation becomes everyday practice rather than special exceptions.
Fleming hopes to leave nursing more inclusive than she found the discipline. By demonstrating competence, adaptability, and leadership, she challenges assumptions about Deaf professionals in healthcare. Her goal is simple and powerful: a future where nurses who are deaf or have a disability are welcomed for their strengths and supported through access from day one.
