WASHINGTON — The lights glow in sequence, almost rhythmic as they cycle through. Blinking red flashes and then a steady red accompany the “on the block” command. Blue illuminates to tell swimmers to “take their mark.” Green means go — and that is triggered by the pool’s starting system.
Gallaudet University rising senior Faye Frez-Albrecht focuses on the colors inches from her face and practices her start to swim the backstroke.
Frez-Albrecht is deaf and her vision is impaired. For the past two years, after she was disqualified from a meet because she did not make it to the starting blocks in time, Frez-Albrecht and her coach have led an effort to remove the competitive disadvantages athletes who are deaf and hard of hearing face in swim meets.