A few months ago, The Online Itinerant took a cruise that changed more than just our scenery—it changed our hearts.

While on a professional cruise that stopped in Cozumel, our team had the opportunity to visit a small Deaf education program on the island. What we found there was both humbling and deeply moving. The classroom we stepped into was filled with passion—but almost nothing else. There were no books lining the shelves. The walls were bare. Every worksheet, every visual, and every learning tool had been painstakingly created by hand by teachers who clearly poured everything they had into their students.

The children welcomed us warmly, and we were able to connect with them and get a taste of their educational experience. Some of them had hearing devices—hearing aids and cochlear implants—but none were functioning. One child’s device had no batteries. Another had batteries so old they had corroded. One student had cochlear implants that had never been mapped properly and were, therefore, of no benefit at all.

It opened my eyes.

And it opened my heart to the greater needs of Spanish-speaking families—not only in Cozumel, but right here in the United States.

A New Lens on the Immigrant Experience

When I have spoken with families who had moved from another county to the U.S., I hear story after story of confusion, overwhelm, and frustration. When it comes to Mexico, the education system in the United States—especially for children who are deaf or hard of hearing—is complex and unfamiliar. For families trying to navigate it in a second language, it can feel nearly impossible.

Many families arrive with no understanding of IEPs, audiology appointments, classroom accommodations, or language options. They’re trying to support their child in the best way they can, but they often don’t know where to begin. And the cultural differences between the U.S. and Mexico only widen the gap.

A Renewed Commitment

That visit to Cozumel was a turning point. It made clear that we must do more—not just abroad, but here at home.

Through this experience, The Online Itinerant is making a new commitment to supporting Spanish-speaking families of deaf and hard of hearing children. This fall, we are launching:

• Spanish-translated handouts that are tailored to the questions and concerns Spanish-speaking families often face

• Parent trainings in Spanish, so families can better understand the impact of hearing loss, hearing technology, language acquisition, advocacy, and educational rights

• Partnerships with educators in Cozumel, where we will continue to walk alongside the passionate teachers in that small Deaf program

• Future cruise opportunities where others can visit the school and directly support the needs of their students and teachers

We are not just crossing borders—we are building bridges.

Why This Matters

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States. And yet, our educational resources for Spanish-speaking families are too often lacking, especially when it comes to specialized services like deaf education.

If we truly want to serve all families, we must be intentional. We must provide resources in the language families are most comfortable with. We must honor their cultural background, while helping them navigate a system that can feel foreign and overwhelming. And we must recognize that their experience is not just about access—it’s about belonging.

Looking Ahead

We hope you’ll join us on this journey.

Whether you're an educator, an advocate, a parent, or someone who simply wants to make a difference, there’s a place for you in this work. We’ll be announcing our next cruise soon, and it will include another visit to the deaf program in Cozumel. Our goal is not to simply drop in with donations—but to build a relationship, share knowledge, and create lasting impact.

Sometimes all it takes is seeing something with your own eyes to truly understand.

Now that our eyes have been opened, we can’t—and won’t—look away.