05/20/2017
Johanna Lucht has just made history by becoming the first Deaf engineer to take an active control role during a NASA mission! Lucht, who was born deaf, works at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, where she recently served as a systems engineer for tests of a new type of NASA aircraft. It was a gratifying moment after years of overcoming obstacles to education and communication. “When I was a child, I essentially missed my schooling between preschool and third grade,” says Lucht. “NASA offered me the opportunity, and I was shocked. When I was a kid, I used to learn about Challenger and the shuttles. It was interesting, but I never really thought I’d be a part of NASA.”
Lucht was born in Germany where resources for Deaf children were limited at the time. As a result, she didn't learn her first true language, American Sign Language or ASL, until the age of nine. “Math was the first thing I really understood in school, so I always had a love for it, growing up," she recalls. “It was something I worked at understanding, and it became my favorite subject." She later moved to the U.S. where more accessible programs for Deaf people were available, and eventually studied computer science at the University of Minnesota. Lucht says that catching up on other subjects helped prepare her for NASA’s high-intensity environment: “The catch-up was of course overload, but that really helped me in being able to work here and handle moderate to large information on a daily basis.”
While studying for her degree, she discovered the NASA internship program and decided to apply. When she received the offer, Lucht says that she was "shocked," but she quickly distinguished herself as an intern in NASA Armstrong’s research and engineering department. The internship turned into a full-time job and NASA arranged for Lucht to work regularly with one interpreter, and set up a second monitor so she could watch flight data while also receiving ASL translations. Lucht says that employers can ensure that they don’t miss out on talent by understanding that obstacles facing Deaf employees can be overcome with a little creativity. “We all meet the challenges that are presented in the environment, and do what we can to overcome it,” she explains. And, Lucht encourages kids facing similar obstacles not to give up: “You must always keep an open mind for opportunities. You never know when one might come by,” she says. “I never thought I would work for NASA, until they offered me a spot... Follow your motivation.”
Congratulations to Johanna Lucht on her boundary-breaking role at NASA! To read more about her work, visit https://go.nasa.gov/2qw1nJH
For several stories starring Mighty Girls who are deaf or hard of hearing, we recommend “Let’s Hear It For Almigal” for ages 5 to 8 (http://www.amightygirl.com/let-s-hear-it-for-almigal), "Deaf Child Crossing" for ages 8 to 12 (http://www.amightygirl.com/deaf-child-crossing), and “El Deafo” for ages 8 to 12 (http://www.amightygirl.com/el-deafo)
There is also a touching picture book about an inventive young girl who helps a Deaf neighbor solve a potential problem: “The Mitten String” for ages 3 to 7 at http://www.amightygirl.com/the-mitten-string
For books to help children and teens understand that diversity comes in many forms, including ableness, check out our blog post “Many Ways To Be Mighty: 20 Books Starring Mighty Girls with Disabilities” at http://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=12992
For a fun set of colorful blocks perfect for teaching children sign language, check out the ASL Alphabet Books at http://www.amightygirl.com/asl-alphabet-blocks
And, for books for children and teens about more pioneering women of science, visit our blog post, "Celebrating Science: 50 Books to Inspire Science-Loving Mighty Girls," at http://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=13914
