The deaf survivor introduced in season 9 is Connie.
Connie first appears in “What Comes After,” the season 9 premiere of The Walking Dead. She is part of Magna’s traveling group, which includes Magna, Yumiko, Kelly, and Luke. Connie communicates primarily through American Sign Language and is portrayed by Lauren Ridloff, a deaf actor.
Connie is more than a representative character: she is an experienced survivor, skilled with a bow and quick to protect others. One of her defining early moments comes when she helps rescue an abandoned baby from walkers. Her perspective also gives the series a distinctive way to portray danger, since viewers sometimes experience scenes with limited sound, reflecting Connie’s deafness.
A common mix-up is Kelly, who is Connie’s sister and interpreter in several situations. Magna leads the wider group, while Lydia is associated with the Whisperers. Connie later becomes a journalist in the Commonwealth and remains an important member of the survivor communities.