Deaf Pickler Founder Billy Mauldin Is Expanding Inclusive Pickleball

Deaf Pickler was founded by Billy Mauldin that hosts international retreats and coaching to Deaf pickleballers.

Billy Mauldin is a Deaf athlete, PPR-certified instructor, and the founder of Deaf Pickler, a business that’s changing how the Deaf community connects through pickleball. From organizing international retreats to coaching players across the U.S., Billy is turning a passion into powerful change in one of the fastest-growing sports out there.

His journey hasn’t come without barriers. And that’s exactly why his story matters.

From Multi-Sport Athlete to Pickleball Advocate

Billy grew up playing football, basketball, soccer — you name it. He discovered pickleball about four years ago and instantly fell in love. It was accessible, fast-paced, and strategic. But it also came with a challenge: navigating a hearing-dominated sport as a Deaf player.

Instead of backing down, Billy stepped in.

In a milestone for representation, he became the first Deaf player officially sponsored by a major paddle brand, Prolite. He’s stayed loyal ever since, valuing not just the equipment but the company’s early commitment to inclusion.

Creating Space for Deaf Pickleball Players

In 2020, the first National Deaf Pickleball Tournament was held in San Diego with 60 players. This October, that number is expected to exceed 550 in Baltimore, Maryland. Billy’s been there from the start — not just playing, but leading.

PPR-certified coach Billy Mauldin teaching pickleball to Deaf players.

As one of only three certified Deaf PPR instructors in the U.S., Bill launched Deaf Pickler, a coaching and retreat business dedicated to teaching pickleball to Deaf players. Through his retreats, he's built something many players never thought they'd experience: a fully accessible, inclusive vacation centered around pickleball.

Earlier this year, he hosted his first Deaf Pickleball Retreat in Costa Rica. Next up? Turks & Caicos in May 2026 — already filling up with 24 players and a growing waitlist.

Each event features Deaf-certified coaches, full instruction in sign language, and a supportive environment for players of all levels.

A Side Hustle With Gives Back

While Billy works full-time for the Public Service Commission in telecommunications, pickleball has become his passion project, and his platform for change.

He doesn’t just coach. He’s paying it forward.

Recently, Billy sponsored the Arizona School for the Deaf so students could attend a national youth tournament after their funding fell through. He’s hoping to do the same for the Wisconsin School for the Deaf next year.

Every lesson he teaches, every clinic he runs, helps fuel his ability to give back to the community that shaped him.

The Barriers That Remain

The Deaf pickleball community is growing. But the barriers are still real:

• Access to certified instruction. When Billy pursued his PPR coaching certification, he had to bring his own ASL interpreter, at his own expense, just to complete the final assessment. 

• Tournament communication. At hearing events, announcements, match updates, and location changes happen quickly and rarely come with ASL interpretation or real-time captioning. That means Deaf players, like Billy, are often the last to know where they’re supposed to be.

• On-court communication. Most hearing players yell “Out!” or “Switch!” Billy has built a strong instinct for reading play and relying on partner cues, not sound, to react in real time. 

Billy Mauldin and his family.

To help bridge those gaps, Billy and his wife Jana (an interpreter and educator) donated a metal ASL number sign to their local courts in Wisconsin with images of how to sign the numbers for score keeping. They’ve also helped educate hearing players on simple hand signals to improve gameplay communication. 

Building a More Inclusive Pickleball Future

Billy’s not slowing down. With more retreats ahead, new brand partnerships in the works, and a growing following in both the Deaf and hearing communities, he's on a mission.

To make pickleball more inclusive.
To build bridges between Deaf and hearing players.
And to keep community at the heart of the game.

Billy is a reminder of what pickleball can be when it’s played with purpose, and for everyone. 

Let’s help make the game accessible for everyone.