Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 21.001 : CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE — TRIAL, JUDGMENT, AND APPEAL — TRIAL MATTERS — INTERPRETERS — INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF — Definition TEXT PDF In this subchapter, "deaf person" means an individual who has a hearing impairment, regardless of whether the person also has a speech impairment, that inhibits the person's comprehension of proceedings or communication with others. Tex. Civ. Prac. and Rem. Code § 21.001 Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1985.