Deaf Wrestler Lawsuit Against Michigan School Athletic
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2015/12/05 - Updated: 2026/02/06
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Category Topic: Laws and Rights - Related Publications
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This report details a federal lawsuit filed by Ellis Kempf, an 18-year-old deaf wrestler and team captain at Royal Oak High School, against the Michigan High School Athletic Association for denying him access to an American Sign Language interpreter during sanctioned wrestling matches. The case, handled pro bono by disability law specialists at Nyman Turkish PC, addresses the competitive disadvantage faced by deaf athletes who cannot hear coaching instructions during competitions - a fundamental component of high school wrestling strategy. The information provides crucial insight into ongoing accessibility challenges within high school athletics and the legal protections available under disability rights law, making it particularly relevant for families of deaf students, school administrators, athletic directors, and advocates working to ensure equal participation opportunities for athletes with disabilities in competitive sports programs - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Deaf Wrestler Sues School for Barring Sign Language Interpreter
Nyman Turkish PC, a national litigation and disability law firm, filed suit today in federal court against the Michigan High School Athletic Association on behalf of Ellis Kempf, a deaf wrestler for Royal Oak High School.
At issue is the MHSAA's refusal to allow an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter mat-side to relay coaching instructions and strategies during MHSAA-sanctioned matches. Last season during non-sanctioned matches, Ellis, 18, used an ASL interpreter provided by the school district. The lawsuit seeks an emergency injunction against the MHSAA to prevent it from barring the interpreter this season.
Main Content
Ellis, 18, is captain of the Royal Oak Ravens and wrestles in the 152-pound weight class. He has been deaf since the age of 2 due to meningitis. Cochlear implants allow him some hearing but he can't wear the external components during matches, rendering him completely deaf.
"We aren't seeking money and he doesn't want an advantage," says his mother Elizabeth Kempf. "He just wants to continue using his interpreter so he can understand what his coach wants him to do during matches - that's all."
Without his interpreter, Ellis is at a competitive disadvantage because he can't hear his coach shouting instructions on what offensive and defensive strategies to employ - a key element of high school wrestling - nor can he tell when matches begin and end.
"He's let up sometimes not knowing the match isn't over and lost," says his mother. "It's heart-breaking to him and to us that they won't allow her (Autumn, his interpreter) out there. It's ridiculous they won't allow that. He's such a great kid."
According to the lawsuit, an MHSAA referee disallowed the interpreter during a match last season. The family appealed and was told an interpreter might interfere with or block the vision of opposing coaches.
Jason Turkish, managing partner of Nyman Turkish, a Southfield law firm specializing in disability cases, said the firm is taking the case pro bono.
"Ellis just wants a fair fight – literally and figuratively," Turkish said. "A student-athlete shouldn't win or lose a match because he's deaf – he should win or lose based solely on ability. In our estimation, the priorities of the MHSAA are incredibly misplaced and create a danger for him, which is why we're seeking injunctive relief in federal court."
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The outcome of this case could establish important precedent for accommodations in high school athletics nationwide. While the Michigan High School Athletic Association cited concerns about interpreter positioning potentially blocking opposing coaches' sightlines, the lawsuit raises fundamental questions about what constitutes reasonable accommodation versus unfair advantage. Ellis Kempf's situation highlights a persistent gap in athletic accessibility - even as schools have largely adapted to provide interpreters in academic settings, competitive sports environments often lag behind. The irony is stark: the very accommodation that enables deaf students to participate equally in classroom instruction is deemed problematic on the wrestling mat, despite serving the identical function of conveying coach-to-athlete communication that hearing athletes receive automatically. As youth sports continue to emphasize inclusivity, athletic associations must grapple with whether traditional competitive structures can adapt to disability accommodations, or whether those structures themselves create unnecessary barriers to participation - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.