Deaf History Timeline: Milestones and Contributions Through the Ages by

1817: American School for the Deaf Established

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:33:02 UTC

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc founded the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut - the first permanent school for the deaf in North America. This marked the beginning of formal deaf education in the United States.

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of deaf America.

MODULE 1 | Before 1800

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:54:21 UTC

MODULE 2 | 1800-1879

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:55:03 UTC

MODULE 3 | 1880-1899

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:55:38 UTC

MODULE 4 | 1900-1919

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:55:53 UTC

MODULE 5 | 1920-1929

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:57:07 UTC

MODULE 6 | 1930-1939

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:57:31 UTC

MODULE 7 | 1940-1949

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:57:48 UTC

MODULE 8 | 1950-1959

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:58:03 UTC

MODULE 9 | 1960-1969

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:58:40 UTC

MODULE 10 | 1970-1979

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:59:14 UTC

MODULE 11 | 1980-1989

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:59:33 UTC

MODULE 12 | 1990-1999

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 15:59:46 UTC

MODULE 13 | 2000-2009

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 16:00:11 UTC

MODULE 14 | 2010-Present

jeanbaeh — 2025-05-13 16:00:27 UTC

Module 1 / Before 1800

2025-05-13 18:25:08 UTC

In 1540 Ponce de Leon is a Spanish monk who is thought to be the first person to teach the deaf.

In the 18th century, France, Charles-Michel de l’Epee founded the first school for deaf children, which is called the Institut National des Jeunes Sourds or INJS for short.

McLaughlin, C. (2021, March 16). A timeline of deaf history. The Current. https://nsucurrent.nova.edu/2021/03/16/29660/

1692: Johann Konrad Amman writes Surdus Loquens

2025-05-14 00:39:54 UTC

Amman was a physician who taught a Deaf girl to speak through lipreading and articulation techniques, emphasizing the movement of his lips and larynx to his student and having them repeat back to him until they were able to form individual letters, syllables, and eventually words. Amman is quoted with saying "'I should think would suffice for the deaf to discern [the movement of the mouth and larynx] with the eyes, just as others receive sounds through their ears, and thus, in time they may learn to speak'" (Amman, 1692 cited in DeLand, 1920, 418).

Duchan, J. (2023, May 29). John Conrad Amman. Judy Duchan’s History of Speech - Language Pathology. https://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~duchan/new_history/early_modern/amman.html

1778: Samuel Heinicke opens the first School for the Deaf

2025-05-14 00:54:52 UTC

As a tutor for the children of Saxon soldiers, Heinicke taught a Deaf-mute boy, and "taught the boy to speak by the pure oralism method and was very pleased with this accomplishment, so he decided he wanted to make a full-time career in educating deaf persons" (Miller). Thus, he opened what is now called the Heinicke School for the Deaf, the first ever, in Leipzig, Germany. His methods were based on Amman's oral method, incorporating the use of taste to help teach students.

Miller, B. (2005, May 31). Samuel Heinicke. Samuel Heinicke / American Sign Language (ASL). https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/heinicke-samuel.htm

Module 1 l Before 1800

2025-05-14 15:39:37 UTC

Martha's Vineyard's Deaf community in the 1700s. An island off the coast of Massachusetts, a high number of Deaf people were born due to a hereditary gene passed down. Deaf and hearing people on the island all used a shared sign language, now called Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL). This created a fully inclusive society where Deafness was normalized and Deaf people were not isolated. MVSL is believed to have contributed to the development of American Sign Language (ASL).

Groce, N. E. (2024). The historical demography of the Martha's Vineyard signing community: A window into early American Deaf culture. American Journal of Human Genetics, 113(3), 345–356. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11195467/

1760: First formal school for Deaf students in Paris in 1760 by Abbé Charles-Michel de l'Épée.

2025-05-14 15:55:25 UTC

De l'Épée encountered a group of Deaf individuals in Paris who were already using a form of signed language. Instead of suppressing it, he learned their signs and began developing a teaching method based on sign language. In 1760, he founded the National Institute for Deaf Children of Paris the first free public school for the Deaf in the world. This helped legitimize sign language and provided a model for Deaf education in other countries.

Lazzaretti, A. (2024, June 27). The world's first public deaf school. Sign Language Blitz. https://sign-language-blitz.com/blog/history/the-worlds-first-public-deaf-school/

1700: Martha's Vineyard Deaf Community

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Martha's Vineyard had built a population of people who had been born with "complete deafness" at birth with no other anomalies. The genetic mutation that was hereditarily passed down starting with emigrants from England is known to be the cause for the widespread Deafness of this community. Individuals from the Vineyard used sign language, integrating this language into their everyday life causing no language barrier between the hearing individuals, "With no communication barrier, deaf individuals were fully integrated into island life, making livings as fishermen and farmers and participating in social, civic, and religious activities." (Groce, 2013)

Groce, N.E. (2016, November 24). deafness on Martha’s Vineyard. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/deafness-on-Marthas-Vineyard

1620: Juan Pablo Bonet makes the first manual for alphabetic signs

2025-05-14 16:48:26 UTC

Juan Pablo Bonet published the first manual of alphabetic signs for the Deaf. His efforts aided in the improvement of verbal and nonverbal communication among the Deaf community. He is known to be "the first teachers to devise and record in print a sign alphabet," which had evolved into the modern sign language that is regularly used across the world. Bonet was inspired by the work of Pedro Ponce de León in the work of creating this sign book. He taught the "phonetic values of letters" helping others understand the importance of positioning lips and tongue for a clearer articulation of words, then going on to teach manual sign and a finger alphabet.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Juan Pablo Bonet". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Juan-Pablo-Bonet. Accessed 14 May 2025.

Administrator. “Deaf History -.” Deaf History - Europe - 1620: Juan Pablo Bonet, the First Book on the Subject of Manual Alphabetic Signs (ES), deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1620. Accessed 14 May 2025.

1500: Girolamo Cardano Challenged Aristotle’s ideas

jasminerridd — 2025-05-14 17:22:34 UTC

In the 1500s, a number of philosophers and teachers started to push back against Aristotle’s idea that deaf people couldn’t be educated. One of the first to speak out was an Italian doctor and mathematician named Girolamo Cardano. He believed that people did not need to hear in order to understand things and he even came up with his own system of hand gestures. Cardano thought that written words paired with matching symbols could help deaf students learn. His system didn’t catch on widely, but he did use it to teach his own deaf son. His ideas ended up inspiring a lot of other thinkers during that time (GoReact, n.d.).

-^{Jasmine Riddle}

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Timelines. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://silentword.org/timelines/

GoReact. (n.d.). The history of sign language and interpretation. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://get.goreact.com/resources/the-history-of-sign-language/

1988 – Deaf President Now Protest at Gallaudet University

2025-05-14 17:39:14 UTC

Students successfully advocated for the appointment of Gallaudet University's first deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan.

Clarke, C. (2025, May 14). Deaf President Now! review – passion and energy in stirring record of student protest. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/14/deaf-president-now-review-stirring-record-of-student-protest

2006 – Establishment of National Deaf History Month

2025-05-14 17:43:24 UTC

The American Library Association and National Association of the Deaf decided that March 13 to April 15 every year would be Deaf History Month.

Library Services: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Resources: Deaf History Month. (2022). Springfield.edu. https://library.springfield.edu/deia-resources/deaf-history-month

c. 10 BCE - c. 3 BCE Quintus Pedius First Known Deaf Person in Recorded History

jasminerridd — 2025-05-14 17:53:44 UTC

Quintus Pedius, who died around the age of 13, was a Roman painter and the first known deaf person in recorded history. There is little know about the exact time he was alive but estimating between his grandfather and father who were known politicians, it can be estimated Quintus was born between 10 BCE and 3 BCE. He’s also considered the first documented deaf artist and the first deaf child to receive a formal education. Everything we know about him comes from one section of Natural History by Pliny the Elder. Pedius was the son of a Roman senator, Quintus Pedius Publicola, and was born deaf. Following advice from his great-uncle Corvinus and with approval from Emperor Augustus, he was taught how to paint. He showed real talent but sadly died while he was still young (Deaf History Europe, n.d.).

-^{Jasmine Riddle}

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Timelines. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://silentword.org/timelines/

Deaf History Europe. (n.d.). Quintus Pedius. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/quintus-pedius?Itemid=14

1760: First School for the Deaf in Edinburgh

2025-05-15 00:22:53 UTC

Thomas Braidwood was a Scottish teacher that founded 'Braidwood's Academy for the Deaf and Dumb' in 1760 and was believed to be the first school for deaf children in Britain. The school taught oral communication methods to read, write, and speak. Although the school mostly focused on speech, they also used an early form of sign language, the combined system, and became the first codification of British Sign Language.

Administrator. (n.d.). Deaf History - Europe - 1760: First school for the deaf in the UK, Edinburgh. https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1760-first-school-for-the-deaf-in-the-uk

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, May 9). British sign language - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Sign_Language#The_Braidwood_schools

The Milan Conference of 1880

2025-05-15 00:24:33 UTC

The Deaf Heritage chronology discusses the Milan Conference, an international congress of educators that took place in Italy in 1880. At this event, educators overwhelmingly voted to ban the use of sign language in Deaf education in favor of oralism . This decision had devastating consequences for Deaf culture and language, leading to a decline in signed language use in schools and the dismissal of Deaf teachers. Despite this suppression, Deaf communities resisted, continuing to use and preserve their languages underground and in social settings, further proving their resilience and commitment to their cultural identity.

Deafhood Foundation. (n.d.). To D or not to D: The Deafhood manifesto. Retrieved from https://www.deafhood.org

By Margaret Dull

Founding of Gallaudet University 1864

2025-05-15 00:29:45 UTC

The establishment of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., was a monumental milestone in Deaf history and culture. Originally called the Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb Persons and later renamed, it became the first and only university in the world specifically designed for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. President Abraham Lincoln 1864 signed the establishment of the school into law, and Gallaudet became a cornerstone for higher education within the Deaf community. Gallaudet is a powerful symbol of Deaf self-determination, leadership, and intellectual achievement. The university to this day has been central to the development and preservation of Deaf culture, advocacy, and American Sign Language.

Van Cleve, J. V., & Crouch, B. A. (1989). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. National Association of the Deaf.

By Margaret Dull

1792 - Asylum created by Reverend John Townsend

2025-05-15 00:40:38 UTC

An Asylum was established to support and educate the "deaf and dumb children of the poor" in London and was maintained by charitable donations. They aimed to rescue children from 'a state of deprivation, ignorance, and inaction' in hopes to prevent them from being a "burden to society." They taught the Braidwood oral method, which they were taught how to speak and understand a language. The children came from various backgrounds, with their parents working as laborers, artisans, shopkeepers, schoolteachers, farmers, soldiers, and deserted mothers or widows.

Asylum for the support and education of deaf and dumb children of the poor. (2019). Blogs.bl.uk. https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2019/09/asylum-for-the-support-and-education-of-deaf-and-dumb-children-of-the-poor.html

‌

First Free public Deaf School - 1771

2025-05-15 00:56:50 UTC

The first public deaf school was founded in 1771 by a French Catholic priest named Abbe de L'Epee. He was the first to establish a globally recognized alphabet using signs as well as a standardized French sign language that was widely recognized and taught. Even today, modern French sign language is a direct development from what he established which is now called "Old French Sign Language". Opening up education to the deaf community became his life's work. He went on to publish multiple books on the education of sign language and eventually opened twenty more schools, each dedicated to allowing the deaf community access to education. For this, he is now widely considered the "Father of the Deaf".

Jay, Michelle. “Abbe de L’Epee - ‘the Father of the Deaf’: Start ASL.” Start ASL | Learn American Sign Language with Our Complete 4-Level Course!, 15 Feb. 2021, www.startasl.com/abbe-de-lepee/. Accessed 14 May 2025.

1779: Pierre Desloges published first book by a Deaf person

2025-05-15 01:07:11 UTC

Pierre Desloges was a Deaf author who wrote what is likely to be the first book published by a Deaf person. He wrote it in part as a rebuttal to defend the use of signs, and in this way he shed light on himself and his community (Bauman and Dirksen). Desloges' work was successful in communicating the importance of using sign language in Deaf education and advocating for the recognition of sign language as a legitimate form of communication.

Bauman, H., Dirksen, L. (2002). Review of A Mighty Change: An Anthology of Deaf American Writing 1816–1864 by C. Krentz. Sign Language Studies. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26204825

1796: Beethoven's hearing loss progresses

2025-05-15 01:29:44 UTC

Beethoven's hearing loss began around the age of 26, and he became "completely deaf" over the next two decades. Despite this challenge, he continued to compose his masterpieces using vibration and internal hearing as well as writing in notebooks to communicate with others (Thomas et. al.). His actions showcase the resilience of Deaf individuals in the arts and challenges the stereotype that Deafness equals inability.

Thomas, J., et. al. (2020, November 23). Aetiology of Ludwig van Beethoven’s hearing impairment: hypotheses over the past 100 years. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8266716/

1616: Giovanni Bonifacio publishes a treatise discussing sign language, Of the Art of Signs.

2025-05-15 01:42:34 UTC

Giovanni Bonifacio was a lawyer who studies jurisprudence at the University of Padua. There's not a great deal of information on him despite the fact that The Art of Signs (L'Arte De Cenni Con la Quale Formandos) is still produced and sold in modern itirations. There are still purchasable old copies that cost 1000+ dollars. This treatise catalogued signs and gestures including facial expressions and eye usage. It included whole body as well as gesturing. Sadly, I would have to purchase one of the original copies and have it fully translated to know the extent of its contents. We can conclude, however, that this successfully brought signing and deaf culture to mainstream society as Giovanni was a fairly active lawyer and academic.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.).

Timelines. Retrieved May 14, 2025 from

https://silentword.org/timelines/

Legacy Exhibit. (n.d.).

Timeline of Hearing Devices and Early Deaf Education. Retrieve May 14, 2025 from

https://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/legacy-exhibits/did/timeline/

AbeBooks. (n.d.).

L’Arte De Cenni Con la Quale Formandos: Favella Visibile, Si Tratta Della Muta Eloquenza, che non e’ altro che un Faccondo Silento / Divisa in Due Parti. Retrieved May 14, 2025 from

https://www.abebooks.com/LArte-Cenni-Formandos-Favella-Visibile-Tratta/31367117002/bd

British Museum. (n.d.).

Giovanni Bonifacio. Retrieved May 14, 2025 from

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG239563

1759: Abbe Charles Michel de L'Eppe founded first free school for deaf people.

2025-05-15 01:55:31 UTC

Abbe L'Eppe had recognized signs being actively used by the deaf community of Paris and developed his sign system based off of that. He was able to prove to the world that deaf people were able to communicate with each other and the world around them via hand signs, fingerspelling, and gesturing. By studying signing used by the deaf community, he was able to come up with a version utilizing spoken French. The school officially opened in 1759 and was the first to receive government recognition, utilizing manual and oral methods of teaching. This was the origins for the culture we see projected onto the deaf community today, that deaf people must accommodate to a hearing society and learn to lip read. Abbe Sicard took over after De L'Eppe and later in 1815, Thomas Gallaudet travelled to Europe after being invited by Sicard. In short, without Abbe L'Eppe, we would not have American sign language the way that we know it today.

-Isaac Capozza

Handspeak. (n.d.). Sign language history: 19th and 19th century. Retrieved May 14, 2025 from https://www.handspeak.com/learn/296/

354-430 AD St Augustine believed that faith comes by hearing and that deafness is a hindrance to faith.

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However, he believed that Deaf people can learn and thus are able to receive faith and salvation. Augustine refers to bodily movements, signs, and gestures, and believed that these modes were capable of transmitting thought and belief. He implied that it is equal to spoken language.

1844 The Tennessee School for the Deaf was founded

2025-05-15 02:01:10 UTC

TSD is a state-operated residential and day school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students ranging from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 and also includes a post-secondary transition program. It is located in Knoxville, TN within the historic Island Home Park neighborhood. There are campuses in Jackson, TN (K-6) and Nashville, TN (K-6) as well.

St. Augustine's Religious Exclusion of Deaf People (c. 400 CE)

2025-05-15 02:04:22 UTC

In the early Christian church, St. Augustine declared that because "faith comes by hearing," Deaf people were limited when it comes to spirituality. This would also mean they could not fully participate in the faith, according to St. Augustine (Daniels et al., 1997). This idea justified excluding Deaf people from receiving sacraments like communion. These beliefs contributed to the societal viewing of Deaf people as incapable of fully belonging in spiritual communities for over a thousand years.

Reference: Daniels, M., Rippinger, J., & Hafer, J. C (1997). Benedictine roots in the development of deaf education: Listening with the heart. Greenwood Publishing Group.

Submitted by: Alyssa Stanforth

1867: Oral Schools Founded in the U.S.

2025-05-15 02:07:53 UTC

The Instruction of Deaf-Mutes (now known as the Lexington School for the Deaf) and the Clarke Institution for Deaf-Mutes were both founded in 1867, on the principle of "pure oralism". Both schools found techniques for instructing auditory and oral means alone, without using sign language.

Source: Gallaudet University Museum. (n.d.). Oral schools form on the principle of "pure oralism". Gallaudet University. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/exhibits/history-through-deaf-eyes/language-and-identity/oral-schools-form-on-the-principle-of-pure-oralism/

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1816 Laurent Clerc: A Pioneer in Deaf Education

2025-05-15 02:10:15 UTC

Laurent Clerc (1785–1869) was a deaf educator from France who helped bring formal deaf education to the United States. After being educated at the National Institute for Deaf-Mutes in Paris, Clerc became a teacher and expert in sign language. In 1816, he traveled with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet to America and co-founded the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut—the first permanent school for the deaf in the U.S.

Clerc was the first deaf teacher in the country and played a key role in blending French Sign Language with local signs to help develop what became American Sign Language (ASL). His work emphasized the use of sign language in education and contributed to the growth of Deaf communities and cultural identity across the nation.

Reference
Deaf History Europe. (n.d.). Laurent Clerc (1785–1869). Deaf History. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/laurent-clerc-2

1880 The Founding of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

2025-05-15 02:23:31 UTC

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was founded in 1880 in Cincinnati, Ohio, during a time when sign language was under threat due to the rise of oralism in deaf education. In response to the 1880 Milan Conference’s decision to ban sign language in schools, Deaf leaders across the United States came together to form the NAD as a way to protect American Sign Language (ASL) and the rights of Deaf individuals.

The NAD’s early mission was to preserve the use of sign language, advocate for Deaf leadership, and secure civil rights for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Over the years, the NAD has achieved major milestones in education, captioning access, employment rights, and more. It remains a powerful advocate for Deaf culture and linguistic freedom.

Reference
National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). History of the NAD. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://www.nad.org/about-us/history/

1760: First school for the Deaf in the UK

2025-05-15 02:23:55 UTC

Thomas Braidwood founded the first school for the Deaf in Edinburgh. This was an oral school, as Braidwood believed that spoken language was superior to written language and sign in its ability to convey ideas and express emotions. While it was an oral school, it used a form of early sign that would eventually evolve into British Sign Language (Pyfers, n.d.)

Pyfers, L. (n.d.). 1760: First School for the Deaf in the UK, Edinburgh. Deaf History - Europe. https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1760-first-school-for-the-deaf-in-the-uk

Jacob Cole

1778: First School for the Deaf in Germany

2025-05-15 02:31:12 UTC

Samuel Heinicke founded a school for the Deaf in Leipzig. Heinicke strongly opposed using sign, criticizing the pedagogy utilized in France. In his school, they focused heavily on teaching oralism and lip-reading. One unusual method they developed to facilitate learning was using the senses of taste and smell to help with learning various sounds by creating strong associations with different flavors (Pyfers, n.d.).

Pyfers, L. (n.d.). 1778: First School for the Deaf in Germany, Leipzig (DE). Deaf History - Europe. https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1755-samuel-heinicke

Jacob

1893: Agatha Tiegel Hanson

2025-05-15 02:33:48 UTC

Agetha Tiegel Hanson was born in 1873, and by the age of 7 she had lost her hearing and eyesight due to spinal meningitis. She attended Gallaudet in 1888, at the age of 15. She would later go on to be the first woman to graduate from Gallaudet with a four-year degree, as well as being the first woman to serve as class valedictorian.

Source: Gallaudet University Museum. (n.d.). Visionary leader – June 2014, Agatha Tiegel Hanson. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/celebrating-150-years/visionary-leader-june-2014-agatha-tiegel-hanson/

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1680: George Dalgarno published Didascalocophus, a book about how to teach the deaf

mcclessr — 2025-05-15 03:07:19 UTC

George Dalgarno of Scotland was a teacher who found importance in forming the bridge of communication between those who can hear and/or speak with deaf and mute people. He found this to be especially important for children, as their education is crucial at such a young age. In 1680, George decided to publish his influential book, Didascalocophus. This guide gave readers insight on how communication occurs, and information is retained. The book, also known as The Deaf and Dumb Man's Tutor, serves as a big inspiration for the present-day sign language.

Cram, David. "Dalgarno, George (c. 1616-1687)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. H. C. G. Matthew and Brian Harrison. Oxford: OUP, 2004. Online rd. Ed. Lawrence Goldman. 25 May 2006. https://www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-7023. Accessed 14 May 2025.

Duchan, Judy. "George Dalgarno 1628-1687". A History of Speech - Language Pathology. University of Buffalo. https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/history-of-cds/early-modern/key-players-in-the-early-modern-period/george-dalgarno-1628-1687/. Accessed 14 May 2025

1760: French Sign Language Established

2025-05-15 03:20:22 UTC

Charles Michel De L’Eppe was a French priest. He was coined “The Father of The Deaf” Charles established the first free public school for the deaf in France. Before he started teaching signs, he learned the signs that were already being used by deaf people in Paris and then developed his sign system. The standard language L’Epee used is known as Old French Sign Language. Overall, he established 21 schools.

Jay, Michelle. (2021). Abbe de L’Epee. StartASL. https://www.startasl.com/abbe-de-lepee/

Chloe Parent

1575 ca. - Lasso states the deaf who learn to speak are not dumb

mcclessr — 2025-05-15 03:26:01 UTC

Lasso was a Spanish lawyer proposed with questions about where those with hearing impairments stand on intellectual ability. Throughout history, there were not as many accommodations for Deaf people as there are now, making life very difficult. Because those who were born deaf could not speak, many were quick to name them as dumb or inferior. As more was understood, humanity was rightfully shown. Lasso was an influential part of this change. He wrote "the deaf who were taught to speak are no longer stupid, and that they have the right to inheritance." (Radić-Šestić). This statement allowed more individuals to see Deaf people as people and more than their limitations on communicative abilities.

Radić-Šestić, Marina. "The beginnings of education of the deaf persons: Renaissance Europe (XIV-XVI century)". Research Gate. Dimic, Nadezda. Sesum, Mia. January 2012. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276229781_The_beginnings_of_education_of_the_deaf_persons_Renaissance_Europe_XIV-XVI_century. Accessed 14 May 2025

1700: Johann Amman (1669-1724) a Swiss medical doctor developes and publishes methods for teaching speech and lipreading to the Deaf called Surdus Laquens.

2025-05-15 03:34:14 UTC

J. Amman was a medical doctor in Holland that "believed in oral techniques using lipreading and articulation teaching." His writings had so much influence on European deaf education that is was the basis in the later "German system" The book was published in 1692, and translated a year later into English.

Administrator. (n.d.-a). Deaf history -. Deaf History - Europe - 1669 – 1724: Amman, Johann Konrad (NL). https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/amman-johann-konrad

1788: Samuel Heinicke (1729-1790) establishes first oral school for the deaf in the world in Germany.

2025-05-15 03:38:11 UTC

Samuel Heinicke opened the first German public school for the deaf. This was the first oral school for the deaf in the world. His school was opened to underprivileged deaf youth. In this institution Heinicke "capitalized on teaching deaf children to lipread and produce speech." The school is still in use today and is ran under the name of Saxon State School for the Hearing Impaired Samuel Heinicke Support Center.

Administrator. (n.d.). Deaf history -. Deaf History - Europe - 1778: First School for the Deaf in Germany, Leipzig (DE). https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1755-samuel-heinicke

1755: Charles Michel Abbe de I'Epee creates the first free school for the Deaf

2025-05-15 03:58:14 UTC

Emma Frazier

Charles Michel Abbe de I'Eppe created the first free school for the Deaf in Paris in 1755. After his passing in 1789 with the help of his successor and the government they were able to keep the school running. However, now it has turned into the Action on Hearing Loss which is a charitable organization that helps the UK's Deaf and hard of hearing population.

‌Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Deaf timelines – History & heritage. Silent Word Ministries. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://silentword.org/timelines/

1644: John Bulwer wrote Chirologia (The Natural Language of the Hand)

2025-05-15 04:13:46 UTC

Emma Frazier

John Bulwer was an English physician and early thinker on the role of gesture and visual communication. Even though he was hearing he explained that " gesture was the only from of speech that was inherently natural to mankind, and he saw it as a language with expressions as definable as written words" (Bulwer 1644). This helped validate the idea that Deaf people could have a complete and meaningful language through visual means.

Bulwer, J. (1644). Chirologia: Or the natural language of the hand. The Public Domain Review. https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/chirologia-or-the-natural-language-of-the-hand-1644/

1600: Pedro Ponce de Leon credited as the first person to develop a method for teaching Deaf individuals to speak and write

2025-05-16 20:31:20 UTC

Pedro Ponce de Leon was credited as the first person to develop a method for teaching Deaf individuals to speak and write, focusing mainly on children from noble families. Ponce achieved his first success with Gaspard Burgos, a deaf man who had been denied membership in Benedictine order. He later wrote a number of books and taught many other deaf individuals to speak and write. Nothing was recorded but he apparently wrote letters to introduce and develop speech among his students.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pedro-Ponce-de-Leon

2025-05-16 20:36:44 UTC

The Kentucky School for the Deaf, orginally coined the Kentucky Asylum for the Tuition of the Deaf and Dumb, was created by the Kentucky General Assembly. It was the first of its kind to be funded by the public. Kentucky state senator Elias Barbee and Judge John Rowan proposed the act that founded this historical educational institution in Danville. Elias Barbee had a deaf daughter, Lucy Barbee, that was his inspiration for this proposition. Although the school was officially founded the year before, students attended their first set of classes in November of 1823 with students ranging in age from as young as 12 to as old as 30. The school made the official public stance that it would never turn away a pupil. This amazing institution is still functional today.

-Isaac Capozza

Kentucky Historical Society. (n.d.).

Legislative Moments: Kentuckians and Civil Action. Retrieved May 16, 2025 from https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeMoments/Moments20RS/web/legmo_23.pdf

Wikipedia. (n.d.).

Kentucky School for the Deaf. Retrieved May 16, 2025 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_School_for_the_Deaf

Kentucky School for the Deaf. (n.d.).

KSD-History. Retreived May 16, 2025 from https://www.ksd.kyschools.us/about-us/about-us/ksd-history

1822: The Kentucky School for the Deaf i founded

2025-05-16 21:09:39 UTC

The NAD is a civil right's organization founded to discuss and shape the rights of the Deaf community and all that fall under the umbrella of Deafness (I.E. hearing impaired, hard of hearing, and partially deaf). Deaf leaders came together because of a growing need for representation on a congressional and federal level. The need for the Deaf community to have its interests represented on a national level by Deaf leaders was clear, especially after the Second International Congress on Education of the Deaf held in Milan Italy. During this second international congress, it was declared that oral education was better than signing education. This declaration resulted in the banning of sign language in school for the Deaf. At the Convention of Deaf-Mutes held in Cincinnati on August 27th, 1880, the National Executive Committee was appointed with Robert P. McGregor being appointed the president. Some 13 years later in 1893, the fourth national convention was held in Chicago where the a resolution would pass opposing pure oralism as a universal means of teaching the deaf. The NAD is the most significant Deaf civil rights organization and has been responsible for a great deal of legislature passed to protect the Deaf community. It still is a widely respected organization that is active just as much today as it was in 1880.

-Isaac Capozza

National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.).

NAD History. Retreived May 16, 2025 from https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/

The New York Times. (08/28/1880).

The Convention of Deaf-Mutes. Retreived May 16, 2025 from https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1880/08/28/106234902.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0

1591: Salomon Alberti published a book about deafness

2025-05-16 23:45:46 UTC

Salomon Alberti was a German physician who published a book about deafness titled Discourse on Deafness and Speechlessness. He studied medicine at Wittenberg and was a professor at a medical faculty for many years (Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2019). In the book, he wrote about how hearing and speech were separate functions. He detailed that he believed that even though Deaf people did not have the ability to hear, they were capable of thought and rational. In the book, he also wrote about the differences between the hardness of hearing and deafness. This was a positive contribution for Deaf people because it spread the knowledge that Deaf people were capable of the same rational thoughts and functions as everyone else. It dissuaded the perceptions and stereotypes that Deaf people were not capable of thought and could not understand others. Additionally, it also created a clear differentiation between those who were hard of hearing and Deaf.

Alberti, Salomon | Encyclopedia.com. (2025). Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/alberti-salomon

Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (2019). DEAF HISTORY. Bridgesfordeafandhh. https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history

1792: Francisco Goya, a famous artist, became Deaf

2025-05-17 02:37:52 UTC

Francisco Goya was a prominent Spanish artist who made paintings, drawings, and engravings (Harris-Frankfort, 2019). He was a very successful artist and even became the director of the Academy in 1795. He became ill in 1792, this illness left him permanently deaf. His loss of hearing severely impacted him and this was showcased through the dramatic shift in his art style. His art was darker and more pessimistic after he became Deaf. While he did not directly impact the Deaf community his art and actions had lasting impacts on the Deaf community. His actions showed that Deaf people could create art. He embodies the ideals and resiliency of Deaf people and the Deaf community. His art brought attention to deafness and how it can impact one's perception and art.

Harris-Frankfort, E. (2019). Francisco Goya | Biography & Facts. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francisco-Goya

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355 BCE: Aristotle Claims Deaf People Cannot Learn (Calvin Souder)

2025-05-17 02:46:00 UTC

Aristotle who was one of the most influential philosophers of ancient Greece believed that hearing was necessary for learning. According to Aristotle deaf people lacked the ability to reason because they were unable to hear spoken language. Aristotle believed that language and speech directly linked to intelligence and logical thinking abilities. His views about deaf people were widely accepted during his time and they shaped how deaf people received treatment throughout many centuries. The belief that deaf people were uneducable spread throughout societies which resulted in their complete exclusion from academic institutions and political and social participation. The harmful beliefs about deaf people persisted to hinder progress in deaf education and acceptance until the modern period.

https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/aristotle

427–347 BCE – Plato’s Recognition of Gestural Communication in "Cratylus" - Calvin Souder

2025-05-17 02:51:04 UTC

Plato presents Socrates discussing language and communication in his dialogue Cratylus. According to Socrates humans would naturally use gestures with their hands and head and other body parts to communicate if they did not have the ability to speak. Gestural communication exists as a natural human ability which Plato recognizes as separate from spoken language. The recognition of non-verbal communication as legitimate and effective in ancient times established fundamental philosophical principles that support the modern appreciation of Deaf community sign languages.

https://get.goreact.com/resources/the-history-of-sign-language/

1840: Beginning of the Golden Age of Deaf Education

2025-05-17 13:13:09 UTC

The "golden age of Deaf education" began in 1840 and lasted through 1912. It was characterized by many things, including the expansion of Deaf schools across the United States. The first Deaf school was founded in Connecticut, and this school served as a model for the other schools. This time was also impactful because approximately 40% of all teachers were Deaf (Hunter, 2013). As a Deaf teacher, the teacher could understand the students better and teach them in a way they may understand better. During this time, Gallaudet University was opened in 1864. This was the first college for Deaf students in the United States. Overall, the golden age for Deaf education was a time period filled with prosperity and reform for the Deaf community and Deaf education. There were many people who contributed to this change, and their impact can be seen even today.

Hunter, E. (2013, March 20). Deaf Culture Timeline. Sign Language Interpreters - ASL Interpreters. https://signlanguageco.com/deaf-culture-timeline/

The history of deaf education video text transcript - Office of Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement. (2024, July 19). Office of Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement -. https://edge.ehe.osu.edu/the-history-of-deaf-education-video-text-transcript/

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1847: Alexander Graham Bell

2025-05-17 13:24:24 UTC

Alexander Graham Bell is a name that most everyone has heard. He is well known as the inventor of the telephone, but he has other contributions to society that are lesser known. Alexander Graham Bell's mother was Deaf, and he also married a Deaf woman. Bell was a proponent of oralism and believed that not using sign language and teaching Deaf people how to speak would be the most beneficial. His support for oralism and oral schools changed the way Deaf children were taught (Gallaudet University, 2024). Bell also studied eugenics and applied this theory to Deaf people. He believed that Deaf people should not marry each other and feared that if they did, their children would be Deaf. Some people believe that Alexander Graham Bell had a profoundly negative impact on the Deaf community. His ideals and support for oralism pushed back the reforms that had been made previously. Others believe that he had a positive impact on the Deaf community and that his push for oral methods of education was beneficial.

Berke, J. (2022, March 13). Alexander Graham Bell and His Controversial Views on Deafness. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/alexander-graham-bell-deafness-1046539

Gallaudet University. (2024). The Influence of Alexander Graham Bell. Gallaudet University. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/exhibits/history-through-deaf-eyes/language-and-identity/the-influence-of-alexander-graham-bell/

Module 2 | 1880-1879

2025-05-17 18:08:29 UTC

The Milan conference was an international event. This conference was about the education of deaf people. At this conference congress said that oralism is superior. That caused a ban on sign language in schools. American schools switched to speech therapy to teach deaf students. This caused deaf teachers to lose their jobs, and a decline in deaf professionals. A formal apology wasn't made until 2010.

Deaf History Europe. (n.d.). 1880: the Milan Conference. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1880

Module 2 | 1880-1879

2025-05-17 18:11:16 UTC

Deaf History Europe. (n.d.). 1880: the Milan Conference. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1880

1818: Alice Cogswell Becomes First Graduate of ASD

2025-05-17 20:03:36 UTC

Alice Cogswell was the first Deaf student to attend and graduate from the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. She became Deaf at a young age due to an illness. Her neighbor, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, was inspired to find a way to educate her. His efforts eventually led to a partnership with French educator Laurent Clerc and the founding of the first permanent school for the Deaf in the United States in 1817.

Alice Cogswell represents the spark that ignited Deaf education in America. Her success proved that Deaf children could learn, thrive, and communicate effectively when given the right tools and environment. "Alice was the first student enrolled in Gallaudet’s “American School for the Deaf” proving to the world that she was an intelligent young woman, not something less than human."

https://www.startasl.com/alice-cogswell/

1836: Morse Telegraph Invented

2025-05-17 20:14:10 UTC

Samuel F. B. Morse invented the telegraph, basing Morse Code on a communication method he used with his Deaf wife, who communicated through tapping. Through this telegraph line came the infamous message "What hath God wrought?" (Gannon, 4). More and his financial manager, Amos Kendall, became very rich from the telegraph, leading Kendall to use his wealth to open the Columbia
Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind on his property.

Gannon, Jack. “Deaf Heritage.” Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America, 2011. https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1774622/pages/module-2-%7C-materials?module_item_id=75564801.

1868: Black Deaf Schools open in the South post-Civil War

2025-05-17 20:25:19 UTC

_{Meghan Sawyer}

Many Schools for the Deaf in the South closed when the Civil War started, but following the Confederate surrender in 1865, "The Colored Department," as it was then called, opened in North Carolina to educate black Deaf children. With 26 students in its inaugural year, "as this school began turning out graduates many of them found teaching positions in
schools or departments for black students in other states" (Gannon 14). This led to black Deaf schools opening in South Carolina in 1876 and Georgia in 1882.

Gannon, Jack. “Deaf Heritage.” Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America, 2011. https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1774622/pages/module-2-%7C-materials?module_item_id=75564801.

1000 BC – Hebrew Law denies Deaf Rights

2025-05-17 20:57:13 UTC

The Torah protected the deaf from being cursed by others.

Does not allow the Deaf to participate fully in the rituals of the Temple.

Special laws concerning marriage and property were established for deaf-mutes.

Property Rights were denied to Deaf-mute. Deaf-mutes were not allowed to be witnesses in the courts.

1670 - Sir Samuel Moreland invents a large speaking trumpet.

2025-05-17 21:05:42 UTC

The first trumpet was 2 feet, 8 inches long and made of glass. It was 2-1/4 inches in diameter at the speaking end and 11 inches in diameter at the other end. His next model was made of brass and was 4-1/2 feet long, with a bell diameter of 12 inches. His third model was made of copper and was 16 feet long.

1818; New York School for the Deaf is Established

2025-05-18 18:05:26 UTC

Second oldest Deaf school in the U.S. Founded by Rev. John Stanford and helped grow the network of deaf education.

Gannon, J. R. (2011). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. Gallaudet University Press.

NAME: Reid Bender

1880: Founding of the National Association of the Deaf

2025-05-18 18:07:55 UTC

Oldest Deaf advocacy organization in the U.S., formed in response to growing threats to sign language and Deaf rights. Also was created in Cincinnati!

Gannon, J. R. (2011). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. Gallaudet University Press.

NAME: Reid Bender

1860s - Deaf Schools for Black Children

2025-05-18 19:41:55 UTC

Deaf schools for African American children opened up in the 1860s, however due to segregation in dorms and classrooms, this later led to two different sign languages --American Sign Language and Black American Sign Language.

Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (2019). DEAF HISTORY. Bridgesfordeafandhh. https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history

1872 - Alexander Graham Bell founded an oralist school

2025-05-18 19:51:26 UTC

In his lifetime, Bell promoted oralism and eugenics, and he believed that Deaf individuals should learn how to speak and lipread over sign language. Due to his eugenic beliefs, he actively worked against Deaf rights by working to prevent intermarriage within the Deaf community to prevent deafness and to close residential schools for the Deaf. Ironically, his mother and wife were both deaf, but Bell's wife did not use sign language and she didn't want people to know that she was deaf. In Boston of 1872, he opened his own private school to teach articulation to deaf people. Within the Deaf community, his name became associated with oralism.

Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (2019). DEAF HISTORY. Bridgesfordeafandhh. https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history

Greenwald, B. H. (2018). Disability History museum--Education: Essay: Disability History Museum. Disabilitymuseum.org. https://www.disabilitymuseum.org/dhm/edu/essay.html?id=59

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1843: Indiana School for the Deaf Founded

2025-05-18 22:39:04 UTC

The Indiana School for the Deaf became the sixth permanent school for the Deaf in the United States and one of the earliest to be state-funded. It played a major role in the westward expansion of Deaf education and helped establish a network of Deaf schools across the Midwest.

Indiana School for the Deaf. (2025). https://www.deafhoosiers.com/about

1850s–1860s: Laurent Clerc Trains Deaf Teachers in the U.S.

2025-05-18 22:48:17 UTC

Laurent Clerc, one of the co-founders of the American School for the Deaf, spent decades traveling and helping establish Deaf schools throughout the U.S. During this time, he trained many Deaf individuals to become teachers. This helped form the first generation of Deaf educators and ensured that sign language and Deaf culture were passed on in schools.

Gallaudet University. (n.d.). Biography of Laurent Clerc. https://gallaudet.edu/student-success/tutorial-center/english-center/reading-esl/esl-practice-reading-exercises/biography-of-laurent-clerc/

1850: First Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf (Calvin Souder)

2025-05-18 23:49:03 UTC

The first Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf took place on August 28, 1850 in New York City. The meeting united educators who specialized in deaf education to share teaching methods and work together. The convention established a crucial foundation for the development of deaf education in America, I could not find a reliable source [wikipedia :( ] for evidence of the first one but in 1870 the Seventh meeting I was able to find the proceedings as a google book!

1834–1836 The Banquets des Sourds-Muets in France

dullmm1 — 2025-05-18 23:49:39 UTC

These were formal gatherings of Deaf individuals in Paris where Deaf speakers gave speeches and were publicly celebrated. The banquets reflected a time when Deaf people were respected and honored for their ideas and contributions, showing the unity of the Deaf community. These events are significant because they highlight a historical period when Deaf culture and leadership were visible and valued in society.

Bragg, L. (2007). Banquets des sourds-muets: 1834–1836 [PDF].

By Margaret Dull

Mid 1800s - The Life and Education of Laura Bridgman

dullmm1 — 2025-05-18 23:53:29 UTC

Laura Bridgman was the first Deafblind person in the U.S. to receive a formal education, decades before Helen Keller. Her education at the Perkins School for the Blind under the direction of Samuel Gridley Howe was groundbreaking and sparked public interest in the education of people with multiple disabilities.

Freeberg, E. (2001). The education of Laura Bridgman: First Deaf and blind person to learn language. Harvard University Press.

By Margaret Dull

1847: The American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb began publication

2025-05-18 23:53:34 UTC

_{Gemma Kaiser}

This academic journal helped to document sign language in the US and became an outlet for the debate on the issues surrounding Deaf education (On the Natural Language). In an early issue of the Annals, Thomas Gallaudet outlined his understanding of sign language as well as its importance in Deaf education. He advocated for its legitimacy as a full language and argued against the widespread views of the time, which was a factor in the eventual increase in integration and acceptance of the language.

On the Natural Language of Signs; and Its Value and Uses in the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, Part 1. Disability History Museum. https://www.disabilitymuseum.org/dhm/lib/detail.html?id=1685&page=all

1837: Levi S. Backus Launches the First Deaf-Edited Newspaper (Calvin Souder)

2025-05-18 23:55:13 UTC

Levi S. Backus established The Radii in 1837 as the first newspaper in the United States that both edited and published content from a deaf person. Through his newspaper Backus worked to educate society about deaf people's abilities and their rights while fighting against many of the misconceptions of the time. Through the newspaper Backus fought for sign language rights while building connections between deaf people who lived far apart. Through his pioneering efforts Backus established the basis for future deaf publications which helped create a unified deaf identity and community in America. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levi_S._Backus

https://infoguides.rit.edu/deafprinters/articles
https://printinghistory.org/tag/levi-s-backus

1867: Clarke School for the Deaf founded

2025-05-19 00:04:13 UTC

The Clarke School for the Deaf, located in Massachusetts, was founded by Gardiner Green Hubbard with a donation from John Clarke. This school prioritized speech and speech-reading as primary methods of communication, as opposed to other schools for the Deaf that used sign language for instruction (Clarke School). The school became a frontrunner in training educators in oral and auditory methods and emphasized the importance of early education for Deaf children.

Clarke School for the Deaf Records. (2020). UMass Amherst Libraries. http://scua.library.umass.edu/clarke-school-for-the-deaf/

1870s: Alexander Graham Bell Advocates for Oralism.

2025-05-19 01:04:16 UTC

Melville Bell, Alexander's father, invented Visual Speech, a system of symbols desgined to allow someone who ahd never heard a language to speak it. He pushed for its adoption in Deaf schools, reaching all the way to England. Alexander was often sent, on his father's behalf, to teach the system to schools and students. He advocated for oralism, using speech, over manualism, using hand signs, for Deaf people to communicate.

Greenwald, B. H. (2018). Disability History museum--Education: Essay: Disability History Museum. Disabilitymuseum.org. https://www.disabilitymuseum.org/dhm/edu/essay.html?id=59

Marcos Martinez

1864: Edward Miner Gallaudet Gives Inaugural Speech at National Deaf-Mute College

2025-05-19 01:26:34 UTC

Gallaudet, a strong advocate for manualism, signing, was impacted greatly by his parents who encouraged him to pursue his advocacy for the Deaf commnunity. Gallaudet's mother was Deaf and signing. Her happy, fulfilled life was a bright example for what a good life could look life for a Deaf person. He argued that signing was important for Deaf people and that they should be educated from a young age. Gallaudet came to a disagreement with A.G. Bell, a strong advocate for oralism, or learning to speak.

Crouch, B. A. (1989). GALLAUDET, BELL & THE SIGN LANGUAGE CONTROVERSY. Sign Language Studies, 62, 71–80. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26203973

Marcos Martinez

1864: Gallaudet University Chartered by President Lincoln

2025-05-19 01:48:57 UTC

_{Alyssa Stanforth}

President Abraham Lincoln signed the charter for Gallaudet University. This was referred to as the "School for the Deaf and Dumb." The decision allowed this University the legal right to grant college degrees. At the time, Gallaudet University became the only university to offer higher education designed for Deaf and hard of hearing students (Gallaudet, 1983).

Gallaudet, E. M. (1983). History of the College for the Deaf 1857-1907. Galludet College Press.

1620: Juan Pablo Bonet publishes First Manual of Alphabetic Signs for the Deaf.

2025-05-19 01:48:57 UTC

Juan Pablo Bonet created and recorded in print, a sign alphabet and his system has influenced modern sign languages. Although, He was a believer that signing was only a step towards a way of speaking, rather than an actual valid form of communication.

Source: European Union of the Deaf. (n.d.). Deaf history: 1000 BC – 1701. DeafHistory.eu. https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/category/1000-bc-1701#:~:text=In%201620%2C%20Juan%20Pablo%20Bonet,influence%20on%20modern%20sign%20languages.

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1830s: Deaf Americans Advocate for a Separate Deaf State

2025-05-19 01:58:14 UTC

^{Alyssa Stanforth}

During the late 1850s, Deaf leaders like John Flournoy proposed created a Deaf state in the U.S. where Deaf people could govern themselves and build their own society. His idea was focused on creating a state where Deaf people could communicate freely in sign language, and hold leadership positions without the barriers faced when in hearing-dominated spaces.

This proposal caused mixed reactions. Some opinions were that it would protect the Deaf culture and strengthen the community, while others argued against it. The opposing opinions included the Deaf leader Edmund Booth.

The conversation highlighted how Deaf people have always taken an active role in shaping their own future of the community (Bragg, 2001).

Bragg, L. (Ed.). (2001). Deaf World: A Historical Reader and Primary Sourcebook. New York University Press.

1786-1789: Roch-Ambroise Cucurron Abbé Sicard, Principal and Educator for the Deaf

2025-05-19 02:11:04 UTC

Sicard was the principal of a Bordeaux school for the deaf, although supporting teaching deaf people through sign language, he did turn to the oral method nearing the end of his career. Sicard was a pioneer in teaching the deaf and is responsible for writing the Mémoire sur l’art d’instruction les sourds-muets de naissance (“Memoir on the Art of Teaching Deaf-Mutes from Birth”), and Théorie des signers pour l’instruction des sourds-muets ("Theory of Signs for the Instruction of Deaf-Mutes").

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Roch-Ambroise Cucurron, Abbé Sicard. Retrieved May 18, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roch-Ambroise-Cucurron-Abbe-Sicard

By: Ashleigh Benedum

Deaf Publications in the 1840s: A Voice for the Community

2025-05-19 02:28:10 UTC

In the 1840s, Deaf Americans began publishing their own newspapers and periodicals, which became essential tools for communication, advocacy, and education. One of the earliest and most influential was The Deaf-Mute, which allowed Deaf writers to share news, debate educational methods, and foster a strong sense of identity and community. These publications helped preserve sign language, connect isolated Deaf individuals, and build a nationwide Deaf network long before modern media. They reflect the early rise of Deaf leadership and cultural pride in the 19th century.

Reference

Gannon, J. R. (1981). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf.

1858: Deaf World - On Planning a Deaf-Mute Commonwealth was published

mcclessr — 2025-05-19 02:34:15 UTC

In the book "Deaf World", the section On Planning a Deaf-Mute Commonwealth holds a written discussion whether a separate Deaf community from hearing individuals would be beneficial or harmful to the hearing-impaired people. Flournoy believes that separation would mean more Deaf people can support each other and not face discrimination like they do in the United States. Booth has a differing viewpoint, as he thinks engagement is beneficial between Deaf and hearing people. I liked Booth's point of how Flournoy's idea was impractical because Deaf parents could have hearing children. All in all, this sparked more awareness on the beliefs of Deaf people and their needs. Additionally, it allowed for more to realize the importance of Deaf prescence in political topics, as many laws affect them.

Bragg, Lois (2001). On planning a Deaf-Mute commonwealth. In J. J. Flournoy & E. Booth (Eds.), Deaf World (pp. 13-26). New York University Press. https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1774622/files/193571485?wrap=1

1843: William Willard and the Indiana School for the Deaf

2025-05-19 02:38:27 UTC

In 1843, William Willard, a Deaf educator and former teacher at the Ohio School for the Deaf, founded the Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) in Indianapolis. It was the first state-supported residential school for Deaf students in Indiana and one of the earliest in the United States.

Willard believed strongly in the value of manual education (using sign language) and sought to create an environment where Deaf children could learn, thrive, and build community. He also advocated for Deaf teachers and helped establish a model of Deaf education that empowered students through language and cultural connection.

Reference

Valentine, P. K. (1994). William Willard. In The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indiana University Press.

1869: The book Adventures of a Deaf-Mute in the White Mountains was published.

mcclessr — 2025-05-19 02:51:52 UTC

Set in the mountains of New Hampshire, Adventures of a Deaf-Mute in the White Mountains gives a first-hand account of being a Deaf man during the 1860s. His accounts are full of him facing stereotypes and discrimination centered around Deaf people. Despite these barriers which limit our character and author, William Swett, he prevails and stays strong both physically and mentally. This book is a representation of how strong and resilient Deaf people are, leading for more perspective of the Deaf mind.

Swett, William (1869). Adventures of a Deaf-Mute in the White Mountains. Gallaudet University Press. https://gallaudetupress.manifoldapp.org/read/adventures-of-a-deaf-mute/section/5ce3d333-c961-4338-a12f-e26d01ca1dda

1854: Gallaudet Monument dedicated in Hartford.

2025-05-19 03:12:25 UTC

Rev. Thomas Gallaudet not only opened the first deaf school in Hartford in 1817 his efforts as stated in the article "elevated the education of students and teachers of the deaf community across the country, acting as national role model for education and humanity." Also, ASD was recognized as the birthplace of American Sign Language, which was created through combination of French Sign Language, Martha's Vineyard Sign Language, and home signs of ASD's first students.

Reference:

Gallaudet monument historic significance 12.06.19. (2019, December 6). https://we-ha.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gallaudet-Monument-Historic-Significance-12.06.19.pdf

1869: Horace Mann School opens in Boston.

2025-05-19 03:23:53 UTC

Originally this school was named School for Deaf Mutes and was renamed in 1877 as Horace Mann School for the Deaf. Oddly enough he was not the original founder of the school, it was because of his oralism approach of lipreading and trying to speak the words that this changed the curriculum for the school. In the late 1970's they started to incorporate a bilingual approach.

Reference:

History. Omeka RSS. (n.d.). https://cityofbostonarchives.omeka.net/exhibits/show/horace-mann-school/history#:~:text=Originally%20established%20as%20the%20School,approach%20in%20the%20late%201970s.

1835-1837: "Deaf" Smith a Folk Hero

emreerae17 — 2025-05-19 15:43:38 UTC

"Deaf" Smith was a Texas soldier who was highly acclaimed for his heroic actions. Erastus "Deaf" Smith acquired an illness at a young age which caused him to lose his hearing (Cutrer, 2020). He was handpicked to be a spy for the Texas army (Gannon, 2011). He was able to use his hearing loss as a tool to help him be a successful soldier. His work in many Texas battles earned him the hero title all around Texas. There was a county named after him in his honor (Cutrer, 2020).

Cutrer, T. (2020, August 3). TSHA | Smith, Erastus [Deaf]. Www.tshaonline.org. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/smith-erastus-deaf

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

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1839: Virginia admits Deaf and Blind Students

emreerae17 — 2025-05-19 16:09:48 UTC

In 1839, Virginia was the first state school to admit Deaf and Blind students (Gannon, 2011). This catapulted many other Deaf schools to admit Deaf and Blind students. Eventually, Deaf and Blind schools would flourish across the country. This led to more advocacy and equal education for Deaf and Blind people.

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

1892: George Veditz founded the Maryland School for the Deaf Alumni Association

2025-05-20 14:30:46 UTC

George Veditz was born in 1861 to German immigrants in Baltimore, Maryland (George W. Veditz: Visionary Leader - July 2014 - History, 2014). Veditz became Deaf when he was 8 due to scarlet fever. He began studying at the Maryland School for the Deaf at the age of 14. He founded the Maryland School for the Deaf Alumni Association in 1892. It was a way for the alumni to stay connected and to support the school. He got a degree in education at Gallaudet and returned to the Maryland School for the Deaf to teach. Veditz is best known for his contributions to preserving and nurturing sign language by capturing it on film. During a time when deaf people struggled to preserve their language and culture, he did that by creating communities and making films. He also served as the president of the National Association of the Deaf in 1904. Veditz was a very influential person in deaf history and made a lot of positive changes. His work to preserve ASL while it was actively being banned in schools was monumental.

Alumni Association. (2017). Msd.edu. https://www.msd.edu/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1090022&type=d&pREC_ID=1376103

George W. Veditz: Visionary Leader - July 2014 - History. (2014). Gallaudet University. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/history/george-w-veditz-visionary-leader-july-2014/

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1888: The Silent Worker began

2025-05-20 14:45:02 UTC

The Silent Worker was first published in 1888 at the New Jersey School for Deaf-Mutes (The Silent Worker Archives, 2025). It was originally called "The Deaf-Mute Times," but they later changed the name. The newspaper stopped publication in 1929. However, the National Association of the Deaf began a newspaper using the same name from 1948 to 1964. The newspaper was the first Deaf-run newspaper in the United States. They wrote about education, politics, employment, and culture. It was a way to empower Deaf people and give them a platform to speak on. They were so often excluded from the conversation so it was a way for people to hear their voices.

The Silent Worker archives. (2025). Upenn.edu. https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/serial?id=silentworker

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1924: First International Silent Games

2025-05-20 14:57:19 UTC

The first international silent games were held in 1924 in Paris (History, n.d.). It was similar to the first deaf international games. Athletes from nine European nations attended the games. They were the first ever games held for a group of people with a disability (Games Facts, n.d.). The games led to the establishment of the International Committee of Silent Sports, which was renamed to the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf. The games were a way to spread information to dispel misconceptions about deaf people all around the world. And a way to battle against the prejudice that Deaf people face. The games are now known as the Deaflympics and are IOC-sanctioned games. There are now 116 countries that have membership and can participate in the games. The games are held every four years, just like the Olympics and Paralympics. The games were a way for Deaf athletes to show that they could compete just like hearing people, and gave them visibility. It also emphasized Deaf pride and unity across the world for Deaf people.

Games Facts. (n.d.). Www.deaflympics.com. https://www.deaflympics.com/icsd/games-facts‌

History. (n.d.). Deaflympics.com. https://www.deaflympics.com/icsd/history

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1900 - 1920: Agatha Tiegel Hanson advocated for Deaf women

2025-05-20 15:29:58 UTC

Agatha Tiegel Hanson was born in Pennsylvania in 1873. She lost sight in one eye and became deaf due to spinal meningitis at the age of 7 (Visionary Leader - June 2014, Agatha Tiegel Hanson - Celebrating 150 Years!, n.d.). She attended regular school until the age of 13, when she transferred to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The ban on female attendance at Gallaudet was lifted in 1887. She then began studying at Gallaudet University in 1888. Agatha was frustrated that she could not debate with male students so she formed a debate group for women. They discussed poetry and literature. This led to Gallaudet revoking female students' social ban. She also wrote an article in the school newspaper about her gratitude towards the University. She used her education and knowledge to help other women. She established OWLS, a society now known as Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority, in 1892. She advocated at the local and national levels for the deaf community. Holding officer-level positions with Seattle's Puget Sound Association of the Deaf, the Episcopal Church's deaf mission, Gallaudet College Alumni Association, and the Washington State Association of the Deaf. Hanson helped pave the way for other women. Due to her and her advocacy, Deaf women were given more opportunities.

Visionary Leader - June 2014, Agatha Tiegel Hanson - Celebrating 150 Years! (n.d.). Gallaudet University. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/celebrating-150-years/visionary-leader-june-2014-agatha-tiegel-hanson/

1888-1893: Agatha Tiegel Hanson Attends Gallaudet University

2025-05-21 06:08:44 UTC

Begining in 1888, Agatha Tigel Hanson attended Gallaudet University, then known as the National Deaf-Mute College, under college president Edward Miner Gallaudet. Women where initially bared from enter the institution but, after much pressure, where finally allowed in. Hanson started a few student organizations and excelled academically, becoming the first woman to graduated from the college. She is seen as a pioneer in advancing Deaf women's studies.

Visionary leader - June 2014, Agatha Tiegel Hanson - celebrating 150 years!. Gallaudet University. (2022, June 1). https://gallaudet.edu/museum/celebrating-150-years/visionary-leader-june-2014-agatha-tiegel-hanson/

Marcos Martinez

1880: National Association of the Deaf is Created

2025-05-21 06:18:56 UTC

In 1880, the National Association of the Deaf was created, though it began as the National Association of the Deaf-Mutes. Its first assembly was that year at the first annual National Convention of Deaf-Mutes, where Robert P. McGregor was elected the first president. The organization was formed in response to the Milan Convention, and had goals of protecting the rights of Deaf people in the U.S. Specifically, the organization wanted to conserve and promote the use of ASL at a time when it was being minimized in favor of oralism. Their work was important for the Deaf community and they continue to do work for said community to this day.

Nad History. National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/

Marcos Martinez

1893: World's Columbian Exposition

2025-05-21 17:34:10 UTC

The World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 showcased the work of Deaf students at the fair. The Kansas School for the Deaf had an exhibit that included students' classwork, art, industrial pieces, and more. The fair also featured an educational congress called "Instruction of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind" (Scott), and it discussed the education of Deaf students. This fair was impactful for the Deaf community because the showcasing of Deaf culture and sign language helped to promote acceptance of the community and recognized their integration with the hearing community.

Scott. (2019). Woman's Part at the World's Fair, Part II. World's Fair Chicago, 1893. https://worldsfairchicago1893.com/2019/03/13/womans-part-at-the-worlds-fair-part-ii/#:~:text=Schliemann%2C%20one%20of%20the%20most,Association%2C%20presided%20over%20by%20Prof.

1886: William Hoy began playing professional baseball

2025-05-21 18:50:24 UTC

William Hoy, a Deaf baseball player, began his professional career playing in the major leagues in 1886. He was an outstanding player and an inspiration to many in the Deaf community. Hoy is credited with introducing the hand signals that are used by baseball players throughout the country. He was the first to use "the arm signals used by umpires today to indicate balls and strikes" (Biography). Hoy impacted both the Deaf community as well as the baseball community through his career.

Biography of William E. Hoy. Gallaudet University. https://gallaudet.edu/student-success/tutorial-center/english-center/reading-esl/esl-practice-reading-exercises/biography-of-william-e-hoy/

1883: NAD Established a Monument in Honor of Thomas H. Gallaudet

emreerae17 — 2025-05-21 18:54:52 UTC

In 1883 the National Association of the Deaf decided to establish a monument in honor of Thomas Gallaudet and the impact he made on the Deaf community (Gannon, 2011). The monument was to be made out of bronze and be placed outside of the National Deaf-Mute College in Washington, due to his significant contributions at the college (Gannon, 2011). Some members of the Deaf community disagreed when a hearing sculptor was chosen for this project. However, at the time French sculptors were known to be the best (Gannon, 2011). The statue depicts Gallaudet teaching one of his first students, Alice Cogswell, the sign for the letter "A".

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

1884: William Albert Bolling Passes Away

emreerae17 — 2025-05-21 19:09:16 UTC

William Albert Bolling was the first Deaf American to be formally educated in the United States (Gannon, 2011). He was a relative of Pocahontas. The school in which he attended was known as the school al Cobbs, which was actually owned by his father on their family plantation in Virginia (Gannon, 2011). In 1884 William sadly passed away, but left behind his legacy and efforts in promoting Deaf education.

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

1883- Edwin A. Hodgson becomes NAD president

2025-05-21 19:40:12 UTC

Known as the “father” of NAD, he also led The Deaf-Mute’s Journal and advocated for Deaf unity and leadership.

Gannon, J. R. (2011). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America (pp. 64–65). Gallaudet University Press. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/17340

NAME: Reid Bender

1884 - Utah School for the Deaf is founded by Henry C. White

2025-05-21 19:43:56 UTC

A Deaf leader starts the school despite growing oralist pressure.

Gannon, J. R. (2011). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America (p. 63). Gallaudet University Press. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/17340

NAME: Reid Bender

Ava Zelinsky Module 3

2025-05-21 21:54:14 UTC

In 1880, the Milan Conference decided that sign language should be banned in all schools.

In 1880, the first national convention for the Deaf-Mutes was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. Then, in 1883, the second national convention was held in New York City.

In 1889, the National Association of the Deaf was now used a their organization's formal name.

Lapiak, J. (n.d.). Deaf history of sign language: Timeline from 1800s. HandSpeak. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.handspeak.com/learn/296/HandSpeak

National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). NAD History. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/

1890s Paul Hubbard - Invention of Football Huddle

dullmm1 — 2025-05-21 23:52:15 UTC

Paul Hubbard who was a Deaf quarterback at Gallaudet University in the 1890s, invented the football huddle as a way to prevent the opposing team from seeing his signed play calls. This innovation later became a standard practice in football across the country, showing how Deaf culture contributed to mainstream sports.

Gallaudet University. (n.d.). Paul D. Hubbard: Inventor of the football huddle. https://www.gallaudet.edu/about/history-and-traditions/paul-hubbard/

Margaret Dull

1881 - Edward Miner Gallaudet Defends Sign Language

dullmm1 — 2025-05-21 23:53:43 UTC

In response to the Milan Conference, Edward Miner Gallaudet, president of Gallaudet College, published a powerful article in The American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb in 1881. He defended the use of sign language and asserted the importance of maintaining manual communication in Deaf education, helping to preserve ASL in the U.S.

Gallaudet, E. M. (1881). The Milan Convention. American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb, 26(1), 1–16.

Margaret Dull

1892 - The Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority

2025-05-22 01:02:21 UTC

Phi Kappa Zeta (PKZ) is a historically Deaf sorority founded in 1892 at Gallaudet University, the leading university for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. It was created by and for Deaf women, offering a strong network of support, leadership, and cultural pride.

Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority. (n.d.). Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.phikappazeta.com

1892 - The Buff and Blue

2025-05-22 01:12:18 UTC

The inaugural issue of The Buff and Blue, dated November 1, 1892, marks a significant moment in Gallaudet University's history as it began its journey as a student-run publication. This publication, established by Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University), was designed to showcase the talents and perspectives of its students.

“The Buff and Blue (Newspaper), Vol. 54, No. 1 (1945) .” Internet Archive, Washington, D.C. : Gallaudet College, archive.org/details/gu_buffandblue19451023. Accessed 21 May 2025.

1880: Edward Miner Gallaudet's Defense of Sign Language

2025-05-22 02:11:11 UTC

After the 1880 Milan Conference banned the use of sign language in Deaf education, Edward Miner Gallaudet emerged as one of its most vocal opponents. While schools across the world shifted to oral-only methods, Gallaudet fought to preserve American Sign Lanuage at Gallaudet College. His leadership helped protect Deaf culture and communication during a time of crisis. "The sign-language is the natural language of the deaf, and as such, must be preserved in their education." - Edward Miner Gallaudet, American Annals of the Deaf, Vol. 26, No. 1 (January 1881).

Gallaudet, Edward Miner. "The Milan Convention." American Annals of Deaf, vol 26, no. 1, Jan. 1881, pp. 1-10.

1885, 1894: Gallaudet's name changes

mcclessr — 2025-05-22 02:21:49 UTC

Throughout its rich history, Gallaudet has gone through several name changes in its existence. In 1885, the Kendall School had emerged when the Primary Department of Gallaudet relocated itself. This in to honor the late Amos Kendall. This was not the only time the school had changed its name to honor somebody. Short of a decade later in 1894, the college gained a new familiar name, Gallaudet College. Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was honored by this name change.

The History of names for Gallaudet University. In Gallaudet National Deaf Life Museum. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/history/the-history-of-names-for-gallaudet-university/

1888: Facts & Opinions Relating to the Deaf by Alexander Graham Bell was printed.

mcclessr — 2025-05-22 02:33:10 UTC

Alexander Graham Bell is most famously known for his inventions, but not as well known for his contributions to Deaf history. In his book, Facts & Opinions Relating to the Deaf, Bell looks at speech through the lens of an engineer like himself. He sees that ways humans' pronunciation words can be learned just through vision rather than listening. This fuels Bell's push for oralism to be taught in schools rather than sign language. It is shown how Bell looks at Deafness as a defect needing to be fixed rather than the culture and community it is.

Bell, A. G. (1888). Facts & Opinions Relating to the Deaf. Spottiswoode & Co.

1880: The Milan Conference

2025-05-22 02:43:19 UTC

^{Meghan Sawyer}

164 delegates gathered in Milan, Italy, mostly from Italy and France (and only 5 Americans!) To decide to outlaw the use of sign language in the education of Deaf people in favor of strictly oral learning. This decision would affect the "fifty-one schools, containing over six thousand pupils" (Gallaudet 3) of Deaf students in the United States.

Gallaudet, E. M. (1881). American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb Vol. 26, No. 1, January 1881 - The Milan Convention. American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb, 26(1).

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1774622/pages/module-2-%7C-materials?module_item_id=75564801

1898: The Hearing Aid was Invented

2025-05-22 02:55:31 UTC

The electrical hearing aid was known as the Akouphone, created by Miller Reese Hutchinson in 1898. Using a carbon transmitter to amplify sound, the hearing aids were portable and were able to improve hearing by taking a weak signal, and using an electrical current to make a strong signal. This was invented in hopes to help his friend, Lyman Gould, who was deaf and mute. Gould's hearing did improve, but he was never able to master the skill of speech.

Source: Deaf History. (n.d.). 1898: Invention of the electrical hearing aid. Deaf History - Europe. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1898-invention-of-electrical-hearing-aids

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1880: "The Raindrop" begins publication at the Pittsburgh School for the Deaf

2025-05-22 02:56:54 UTC

^{Meghan Sawyer}

James H. Logan began writing stories and converting Aesop's Fables and other literary works into simple stories for Deaf students. Eventually, this became an in-house magazine that was printed monthly, saying "'like the gentle dew, [the Raindrop] refreshed the parched minds of all deaf children and allowed the imagination to blossom forth'" (Gannon 67). Eventually, the magazine became a published book with illustrations that can be found in many Deaf school libraries to this day.

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1774622/pages/module-2-%7C-materials?module_item_id=75564801

1889: William "Dummy" Hoy the First Deaf Major League Player

2025-05-22 03:11:45 UTC

"Dummy" (William) signed a contract with the Washington Senators, making him the first deaf major league player in history, opening the door for many others to follow his path. In 1889, he led the National League with 82 stolen bases, and by 1889 he set a major league record by throwing out three runners at home plate within one game.

Source: Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). People who made a difference in the deaf world [PDF]. Silent Word Ministries. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://silentword.org/product/people-who-made-a-difference-in-the-deaf-world-pdf/

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1913: George Veditz and the 1913 Film: The Preservation of the Sign Language

2025-05-22 03:25:03 UTC

In 1913, George Veditz, a Deaf educator and former president of the National Association of the Deaf, created a groundbreaking silent film titled The Preservation of the Sign Language. At a time when oralism was being aggressively pushed in schools and sign language was being banned, Veditz recognized the urgent need to preserve American Sign Language for future generations.

The film is about 14 minutes long and entirely in ASL, features Veditz signing passionately about the importance of protecting Deaf culture and language. He warns of the dangers of erasing ASL and emphasizes its value not only as a means of communication but as a central part of Deaf identity. One of his most powerful lines in the film is:

“As long as we have deaf people on earth, we will have signs... It is my hope that we all will love and guard our beautiful sign language as the noblest gift God has given to deaf people.”

References

Gannon, J. R. (1981). Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf.

National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). Preservation of the Sign Language. Retrieved from https://www.nad.org/resources/american-sign-language/asl-history/

George Veditz and the Preservation of Sign Language (1904–1910)

2025-05-22 03:39:22 UTC

Between 1904 and 1910, George Veditz served as the president of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and led one of the most important preservation efforts in Deaf history. During his presidency, Veditz became a fierce advocate for American Sign Language (ASL) at a time when oralism was overtaking Deaf education, and sign language was being banned in classrooms.

Veditz recognized the danger that oral-only education posed to the survival of ASL. Under his leadership, the NAD began using early film technology to document fluent signers—one of the first examples of language preservation using media. His most famous film, The Preservation of the Sign Language (1913), was a direct result of the work initiated during his NAD presidency.

Veditz was not only a leader, but a visionary. He declared sign language the “noblest gift God has given to Deaf people” and worked to protect it for future generations. His presidency helped establish the NAD as a force in Deaf cultural and linguistic advocacy, and his influence continues to be felt in Deaf communities today.

1893: World Congress of the Deaf meets in Chicago.

2025-05-22 03:43:47 UTC

This conference was significant because this was the conference where they elected Thomas Francis Fox as president.

https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/#:~:text=•%201893%20*%20Fourth%20national%20convention%20held,universal%20means%20of%20instruction%20of%20the%20deaf.

1887: Alexander Graham Bell establishes the Volta Bureau

2025-05-22 03:52:37 UTC

In 1887 Alexander Graham Bell founded the library for deaf people and those that wish to research deafness. This became a national historical landmark in Washington, D.C. and is still standing today.

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Volta Bureau (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/places/volta-bureau.htm

1890 - The creation of current-day British Deaf Association (BDA)

2025-05-22 20:14:56 UTC

Originally founded as The British Deaf and Dumb Association (BDDA), four Deaf men organized the "National Conference of Adult Deaf and Dumb Missions and Associations" at St. Saviours Church for the Deaf in London in Jan. 1890. This conference was created to consider forming a national society, in hopes to elevate the education and social status of the Deaf and Dumb in the UK, which led to the formation of BDA later that year---the word "Dumb" was removed from its title in 1971. The BDA promoted its beliefs publicly and supported all means of communication such as sign language, fingerspelling, lip-reading, amplified sound, writing, mime & gesture, and speech. They are continuously trying to mobilize the support from the hearing community to help others understand what deafness is and how to support the Deaf community in the UK.

British Deaf Association. (2018). British Deaf Association. British Deaf Association. https://bda.org.uk/history/

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1895 - May Martin Stafford (First Female Professor)

2025-05-22 21:35:44 UTC

She was Gallaudet's first deaf woman professor and taught English after graduating there with her master's degree. She has other impactful achievements-- co-founding member of the O.W.L.S. (Delta Zeta sorority) and Jollity Club, co-founded the student newspaper, The Buff and Blue, wrote for The Silent Worker, and was the first deaf woman to earn a graduate degree at Gallaudet.

Martin, May | Gallaudet University Library Guide to Deaf Biographies and Index to Deaf Periodicals. (2017, March 22). Wrlc.org. https://liblists.wrlc.org/biographies/52112

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Profiles of Deaf Women · Deaf HERstory · National Deaf Life Museum. (2015). Omeka.net. https://nationaldeaflifemuseum.omeka.net/exhibits/show/deaf-herstory/profiles-of-deaf-women

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June 27, 1880: Helen Keller is born

2025-05-23 00:18:31 UTC

In the small town of Tuscumbia, Alabama Kate Keller gives birth. At 19 months old she became ill and had contracted scarlet fever. Her mother notes that Helen's responsiveness to noises and gestures changed. In the summer of 1886, the Keller family meets with Alexander Graham Bell who pulls some strings to gain a connection to the Perkins Instituion for the Blind in Bostone. Michael Anagnos, the director of the instituion, contacts Anne Mansfield Sullivan who subsequently arrives in Tuscumbia on March 3rd of 1887 to be Helen's teacher in manual sign language. Without this connection, tactile signing would not be at the stage of development we see today. Helen and Anne helped to prove that deaf-blind individuals were capable of learning and developing just as much as being either deaf or blind.

-Isaac Capozza

American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Chronology of Helen Keller's Life. Retrieved May 22nd, 2025 from https://www.afb.org/about-afb/history/helen-keller/biography-and-chronology/chronology

American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Helen Keller Biography. Retrieved May 22nd, 2025 from https://www.afb.org/about-afb/history/helen-keller/biography-and-chronology/biography

Britannica. (n.d.). Helen Keller. Retrieved May 22nd, 2025 from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Helen-Keller

November 3rd, 1883: Ennals J. Adams Jr. is the second black man to attend Gallaudet

2025-05-23 00:37:32 UTC

Ennals J. Adams Jr. from Baltimore was a deaf mute man formerly a student studying theology at the National College with his father. It is stated that he had the want to become a missionary for the deaf-mute people of color in the United States. He was stated to be a good dresser. He entered in 1883 and withdrew in 1886. While there are extensive newspaper clippings discussing him, a lot of it is illegible due to age and upload quality. This is not suprising considering the lack of care given to the upkeep of African American history as a whole, not withstanding the lack of care given to the history of the disabled and handicapped. I wish I could tell you more, however the newspaper clippings range in surface level facts to racist accusations of thievery. It is a sobering reminder that we must stay vigilante about the erasure of the history of people of color and specifically deaf people of color.

-Isaac Capozza

Gallaudet University. (n.d.). Black Deaf Vertical Files. Retrieved on May 22nd, 2025. https://ida.gallaudet.edu/daavf/1/

Newspapers.com. (November 3rd, 1887). Ennals J. Adams Jr., deaf mute, studying theology with his father. Retrieved on May 22nd, 2025. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-star-ennals-j-adams-jr-dea/31441072/

1881: Edward Miner Gallaudet Defends Sign Language in Education

2025-05-23 01:08:24 UTC

In response to the Milan Conference, Edward Miner Gallaudet, then president of Gallaudet College, publicly defended the use of sign language in Deaf education.

CyraCom Marketing. (2020, March 19). How Gallaudet University pioneered the teaching of sign language in the US. CyraCom International. https://www.cyracom.com/deaf-education-gallaudet-university/#:~:text=Edward%20Miner%20Gallaudet%20had%20attended,best%20met%20their%20individual%20needs.

1892: First Electric Hearing Aid Invented

2025-05-23 01:12:16 UTC

In 1892, inventor Miller Reese Hutchison developed the “Akouphone,” the first electric hearing aid. Although not widely available at the time, it marked a technological advancement in assistive devices for the hard of hearing and laid groundwork for future innovations.

Sarli, C., & Dubinsky, E. (2002). Deafness in disguise: Concealed hearing devices of the 19th and 20th centuries. Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University School of Medicine. Retrieved May 22, 2025. https://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/legacy-exhibits/did/timeline/

1912: Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of America

2025-05-23 18:05:03 UTC

Daisy Gordon Low was born on October 31st, 1860 as the second out of six children. She was brought up in a family that prioritized community service, education, and being a good samaritan. This was directly contradicted by her family owning enslaved people, including children. Her family was split during the civil war, her father fighting for the Confederacy and her mother's side fighting for the United States. Daisy was a mere 4 years old when the civil war ended. Throughout her childhood she had frequent illnesses including chronic ear infections and an improperly treated ear abscess resulting in hearing damage but not deafness. It was only at her wedding when guests threw rice that a grain of rice entered her ear. The operation done to remove the rice had damaged her hearing further resulting in her being classified as "very" hard of hearing. I think we can just call her Deaf. Daisy Gordon Low started the Girl Scounts in Savannah, Georgia with a troop of 18 girls when she was 51 years old. The girl scouts have always been a beneficial and trailblazing organization. The core beliefs have always been that women can do anything and that curiosity about the world around us should be embraced and encouraged. Daisy was inspired after meeting with Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, in 1911. The Girl Scouts is now a global organization, empowering young women in every corner of the globe.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Timelines. Retrieved on May 23, 2025. https://silentword.org/timelines/

Girl Scouts. (n.d.). From 18 girls in Savannah to a gloval movement to make a difference. Retrieved on May 23, 2025. https://www.girlscouts.org/en/discover/about-us/history.html

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum. (n.d.). About Juliette Gordon Low. Retrieved on May 23, 2025. https://www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org/en/explore/history/about-juliette-gordon-low.html#:~:text=At%20Juliette's%20wedding%2C%20guests%20threw,damaged%20her%20hearing%20even%20more.

Linotype Revolution Creates Jobs for Deaf Printers (Calvin Souder)

2025-05-24 00:23:01 UTC

With the rise of the Linotype machine in the printing industry, Deaf schools began offering vocational training in typesetting. Deaf men became highly sought-after in the printing trade due to their precision and visual attention, this trend created strong Deaf networks in urban print shops.

https://accesspress.org/print-shops-of-past-provided-good-jobs-for-people-who-were-deaf/

1884–1885: National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Begins Formation

2025-05-24 00:24:44 UTC

Though formally incorporated in 1901, groundwork for the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf (NFSD) was laid in the late 1880s. Deaf leaders began informal mutual aid efforts due to discrimination by mainstream insurance companies. NFSD would become a financial safety net and community pillar for decades. https://www.utahdeafhistory.com/history-of-the-national-fraternal-8203society-of-the-deaf.html

1901: Fraternal Society of the Deaf was established

emreerae17 — 2025-05-24 22:55:41 UTC

On June 14th, 1901 thirteen young Deaf men established the Fraternal Society of the Deaf (Gannon, 2011). They created this society for Deaf people to obtain insurance. In the early years, the founders obtained insurance of their own homes. However, they were inexperienced with little knowledge on how insurance worked (Gannon, 2011). Throughout the years the team broadened their expertise and began providing life insurance to Deaf men. This society would continue to gain members through the years and make headlines for their prominent work in the Deaf community, providing access (Gannon, 2011).

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

1914: R.J. Stewart became the New Chairman of NAD Motion Picture Committee

emreerae17 — 2025-05-24 23:08:20 UTC

In 1914 R.J. Stewart became the new chairman of the National Association of the Deaf motion picture committee (Gannon,2011). This committee originated during the years of oralism taking over. The Deaf community expressed concern of their language disappearing or declining due to their inability to use sign (Gannon, 2011). With this in mind, the National Association of the Deaf established this committee. R.J. was one of many whom recorded videos of themselves signing in order to preserve their language through times of isolation (Gannon, 2011).

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

1817: First School for the Deaf in Poland

2025-05-24 23:53:33 UTC

The Institute of the Deaf was established on October 23, 1817 on the initiative of Fr. Jakub Falkowski. Initially, it was located on the premises of the University of Warsaw in the Kazimierzowski Palace, and in the years 1820–1827 in the house of the visiting sisters at Krakowskie Przedmieście.

On April 26, 1826, the construction of the seat of the Institute at Plac Trzech Krzyży began. The construction was completed in 1827. In 1842 a school for the blind was established at the Institute and the Institute was given the name "Institute of the Deaf and the Blind", used until 1962.

In the years 1867–1885 the director of the institution was held by Jan Papłoński, who introduced changes contributing to the development of this institution.

In 1865, thanks to him, a project was implemented to establish a farm where deaf people from the countryside could train in farm work.

In 1919 a kindergarten for deaf children was established, and in 1934 - a basic vocational school for the deaf. The alumni of the Institute received professional and general education. They showed a patriotic attitude many times, taking part in the school strike in 1905, and in 1944 29 deaf people fought in the Warsaw Uprising as part of the 1107 Platoon of the Home Army.

During the Warsaw Uprising, a cemetery was established in the courtyard of the Institute. On October 26, 1944, the Germans set fire to the building. The reconstruction was completed in August 1948.

In 1983, the Institute was named after its founder, Father Jakub Falkowski. The center provides pre-school, elementary, junior high and high school education, as well as individual tuition. The pupils benefit from speech therapy, psychological and pedagogical care. Polish sign language courses are organized for parents of deaf children.

Deaf History. (n.d.). First school for the deaf in Poland. Deaf History. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/first-school-for-the-deaf-in-poland

1825: First school for the Deaf in Norway, Trondheim

2025-05-24 23:57:36 UTC

In Norway there was a deaf person, Andreas Christian Møller, who established the first school for the deaf back in 1825.

At this school, sign language was the language of instruction.

1915: St. Rita (Catholic) School for the Deaf opens in Ohio

2025-05-25 07:01:04 UTC

St. Rita's was the first accredited high school for the Deaf. Startling with only eleven students and staffed by three Sisters of Charity would grow to be a school with a Catholic education and help grow students to be productive members of society. The school is still operational to Prek-12 and also a work study program.

St. Rita School for the deaf. History. (n.d.). https://www.srsdeaf.org/page/history

1921: Earl C. Hanson patents the first vacuum-tube hearing aid.

2025-05-25 07:15:22 UTC

This hearing aid was patent in 1920 and available to the market in 1921. It cost around $135. The hearing was not one that you wore on your body but sat on a table top. It was worn as a headset and ran off 1.5 voltNo 6 dry fell "A" battery and a 24 volt "B" battery. The ear phone was stored inside the box when not using. The hearing aids were no longer used after 1953.

Vacuum tube hearing aids: 1921-1953. Vactuphone Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid. (n.d.). https://hearingaidmuseum.com/gallery/Vacuum%20Tube/OtherMakes/info/vactuphone.htm

1904: Helen Keller graduates from Radcliffe and is the first Deaf-Blind person to earn a B.A.

2025-05-25 19:22:13 UTC

Helen graduated on June 28th, 1904 and received her Bachelor of the Arts cum laude. She went on to be a Goodwill ambassador whom traveled to 40 countries globally. She improved educational and career opportunities for the disabled community. She was a labor union advocate, a suffragette, and a pacifist whom embodied resilience and peace in every avenue of her life. She was a strong suppertor of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and identified as a socialist. In 1964, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Lyndon Johnson. In 1999, her school formally merged with Harvard University some 12 years after her passing.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Timelines. Retrieved on May 25, 2025. https://silentword.org/timelines/

The History Channel. (n.d.). Helen Keller graduated from Radcliffe, first Deafblind person to earn a B.A.. Retrieved on May 25, 2025. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-28/helen-keller-graduates-radcliffe-first-deafblind-college-grad

Public Broadcasting Station. (n.d.). Helen Keller Biography and timeline. Retrieved on May 25, 2025. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/helen-keller-biography-career-timeline-facts-quotes/19032/

1910-1920 Establishment of the National Association of the Deaf Films

2025-05-25 20:18:51 UTC

The NAD began producing films of prominent Deaf figures like George Veditz to preserve American Sign Language during a time when oralism was dominant.

Gannon, J. R. (1981). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. National Association of the Deaf.

NAME: Reid Bender

1913 - George Veditz’s “Preservation of Sign Language” Speech

2025-05-25 20:37:33 UTC

President of the NAD, Veditz gave a filmed speech in ASL to advocate for the preservation of sign language during a time oralism was threatening it.

Library of Congress. (n.d.). Preservation of the Sign Language. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.loc.gov/item/2023600536/

NAME: Reid Bender

1901 Official Founding of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf

dullmm1 — 2025-05-25 21:09:25 UTC

This organization was created in response to Deaf people being denied access to life insurance. It became a significant institution in the Deaf community, providing insurance, financial services, and a strong network of support.

Gannon, J. R. (1981). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America (Chapter 5). Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf.

Margaret Dull

1910s & 1940s - Deaf Contributions to the U.S. War Effort (World War I and II)

dullmm1 — 2025-05-25 21:11:26 UTC

Deaf individuals contributed significantly to the war effort despite systemic discrimination. They worked in factories, purchased war bonds, and supported rationing efforts. However, they were often denied the opportunity to serve in the military, leading to a complicated sense of patriotism and exclusion.

Baynton, D. C. (1996). Illusions of equality: Deaf Americans in school and factory, 1850–1950 (Chapter 5). Gallaudet University Press.

Margaret Dull

1927: Buck v. Bell upheld the Forced Sterilization of Individuals Deemed "Feebleminded."

2025-05-25 22:12:53 UTC

Buck v. Bell was upheld in 1927, authorizing the state of Virginia to forcibly sterilize individuals deemed "feebleminded" or otherwise known as those to have disabilities, women, people of color, those with multiple marginalized identities, or those living in institutions. By the 20th century, nearly 70,000 people had been sterilized against their will, predominantly women of color.

Sources:

Harris, J. E. (2020, October 14). Why Buck v. Bell still matters. Petrie-Flom Center, Harvard Law School. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2020/10/14/why-buck-v-bell-still-matters/

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1913: "The Preservation of Sign Language" was captured on film

2025-05-25 22:28:56 UTC

George Veditz, the former NAD president, as well as other leaders in the Deaf community, noticed that oral-only education was taking over America, and they worked to ensure Sign Language would not be lost in history. Two videos were recorded, one in 1913 and one in 1920, showing a group of experienced signers. The videos were put in storage and later rediscovered in the Gallaudet basement in the 1970s.

Sources:

Hacholski, M. (2011). "A new and unwholesome principle": American and British influence on the Turco-Greek Exchange Convention of January 30, 1923. Voces Novae: Chapman University Historical Review, 3(1), Article 21. https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/vocesnovae/vol3/iss1/21

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1910: President Taft eliminates discriminatory barriers of federal employment in the Federal Civil Service Commission of Deaf people.

mcclessr — 2025-05-26 00:28:35 UTC

On December 1st, 1908, an executive order was passed on the matter of Deaf people in the Civil Service. This order created a lot of discrimination for those who could not hear and were considered dumb. Two years later in 1910, William Howard Taft amended the executive order to remove discriminatory barriers of employment for those who are Deaf. Not only did this allow more job opportunities, but helped show the nation that Deaf individuals are just as capable of holding careers that hearing people can do.

Fay, E. A. (1909). American Annals of the Deaf (Vol 54-55). Executive Committee of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44463871?seq=5

1929: Deaf Drivers in Philadelphia boast perfect driving records

2025-05-26 01:01:59 UTC

^{Meghan Sawyer}

As cars became more common at the turn of the century, Deaf people also began driving. Legislation was introduced to prevent Deaf people from driving, but they fought these rules. Statistics shown in the 1929 Philadelphia Record indicate that "none of the 177 deaf drivers in the city had been involved in an accident" (Gannon, 169). Other testimonials of safe Deaf drivers reduced the amount of pushback on their right to ride.

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1774622/pages/module-2-%7C-materials?module_item_id=75564801

1928: Nellie Willhite became the first female Deaf pilot in the world.

mcclessr — 2025-05-26 01:06:22 UTC

Not only was there much discrimination against the Deaf in the American 1920s, but against women as well. Eleanor Zabel Willhite chose to do the unthinkable at the time and break societal discrimination. After being inspired by an old acquaintance, Nellie worked hard and earned her pilot's license. In addition to being the first female Deaf pilot in the world, she became the first female pilot for South Dakota. This led way to the progression of rights for women and Deaf individuals, demonstrated by Nellie's resilience and determination.

Nellie Zabel Willhite. (n.d.) DeafPeople.com. https://www.deafpeople.com/history/history_info/willhite.html?form=A+detailed+booklet+is+available+for+%245.00.

Ava Zelinsky Module 3

2025-05-26 01:15:59 UTC

The first national convention of the Deaf-mutes was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1880. In 1883, the second one was held in New York City, and the third one was held in Washington, D.C., in 1889. In 1893, got rid of only oralism, and you can now sign in schools.

National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). NAD History. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/

1913–1920: NAD Produces ASL movies despite the decrease of Silent Film

2025-05-26 01:36:04 UTC

^{Meghan Sawyer}

As silent films fell out of fashion, so too did the accessibility of movies for Deaf people. To combat this, the National Association of the Deaf produced several films between 1913 and 1920 to preserve poetry, lectures, memories, and stories told in ASL, which "... the NAD rented... primarily to local Deaf community organizations and clubs" (Schuchman 232).

Schuchman, J. S. (2004). The Silent Film Era: Silent Films, NAD Films, and the Deaf Community’s Response. Sign Language Studies, 4(3), 231–238. https://doi.org/10.1353/sls.2004.0013

1912: Society for the Welfare of the Jewish Deaf Founded

2025-05-26 03:18:28 UTC

In New York in 1912, local Deaf and hearing leaders came together to form the Society for the Welfare of the Jewish Deaf. The aim of this group was the help Deaf workers in the local area. The majority of job placements came in the form of artisans and factory workers.

Buchanan, R. M. (2012). Illusions of equality: Deaf Americans in school and factory, 1850-1950. Gallaudet University Press.

Marcos Martinez

1904: Helen Keller Graduates from Radcliffe College

2025-05-26 03:20:15 UTC

Helen Keller became the first Deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating cum laude from Radcliffe College, demonstrating the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (HISTORY.com Editors, 2024)

HISTORY.com Editors. (2024, March 14). Helen Keller graduates from Radcliffe, first DeafBlind person to earn a B.A. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-28/helen-keller-graduates-radcliffe-first-deafblind-college-grad

1924: First International Silent Games (Deaflympics)

2025-05-26 03:31:00 UTC

Held in Paris, France, the inaugural International Silent Games provided Deaf athletes with an opportunity to compete internationally, promoting Deaf culture and sportsmanship (Phelan, 2024).

Phelan, J. (2024, September 22). Paris's 1924 Silent Games, the first step towards modern deaf sports. RFI. https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20240922-paris-1924-silent-games-the-first-step-towards-modern-deaf-sports

1911: Calbraith Rodgers Becomes First Deaf Pilot

2025-05-26 03:48:58 UTC

Calbraith Rodgers attended the Wright Flying School in Dayton, Ohio. He learned to fly a plane under the instruction of Orville Wright, becoming the 49th licensed aviator in the world. Rodgers made a transcontinental flight, from coast to coast, despite encountering many issues along his journey. He was an important figure in showing the capability of Deaf people in emerging fields, like aviation.

Patton, K. (2019, September 13). Pioneering pilot: Cal Rodgers. Hartzell Propeller. https://hartzellprop.com/pioneering-pilot-cal-rodgers/

Marcos Martinez

1865: Empire State Association of the Deaf

jasminerridd — 2025-05-26 22:51:12 UTC

In 1865 the Empire State Deaf-Mute Association was established. Announcements were published in top New York newspapers about a ‘convention for the deaf-mutes’ scheduled at Wieting Hall in Syracuse on August 30, 1865. More than 150 people attended the event organized! At the event they adopted a new Constitution and By-Laws written by John Carlin. John was a very accomplished Deaf individual big advocate for the Deaf community, yet controversial due his high regard of hearing people and contempt for some aspect of Deaf culture (Krentz, 2000). John Wilkes Chandler from Mexico, NY, in Oswego County, was elected as the first President. In 1912, the organization changed its name to the Empire State Association of the Deaf (ESAD). It remains the oldest active state-level Deaf association in the United States, predating even the National Association of the Deaf (ESAD, 2023).

Krentz, C. (2000, January 12). A Mighty Change: An Anthology of Deaf American Writing, 1816-1864. Gup Digital books. https://gallaudetupress.manifoldapp.org/read/a-mighty-change-an-anthology-of-deaf-american-writing-1816-1864/section/ef480432-bee4-4926-ad4b-f4707e07c903

Empire State Association of the Deaf. (2023, September 29). About. ESAD 2023. https://www.esad.org/about/

1879: Ohio Deaf Baseball Team

jasminerridd — 2025-05-26 23:03:42 UTC

In 1879, Parley P. Pratt who was a teacher of shoemaking at the Ohio School for the Deaf became the coach and manger for the baseball team. As the “Ohio Independents” the team toured the country playing 51 teams and their record was 44-7!

Ohio Independents baseball team. Ohio History Connection Selections . (n.d.). https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p267401coll32/id/29271/#:~:text=Pratt%20is%20credited%20with%20introducing,with%20a%2044%2D7%20record.

1896: Gallaudet’s Women's Basketball Team

jasminerridd — 2025-05-26 23:22:11 UTC

The Gallaudet women’s basketball team dates back to 1896! A group of 20 women formed the team with Emma Kerhner (‘97) as their captain. Although they are recognized as the first team, they did not play a traditional game, only playing 3 games for their season. However, it took until 1904 for the men’s team to form!

Gallaudet University Library Deaf Collections & Archives. (2020, March 5). Old time D.C. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/100064582426237/posts/2895194410567775/

1890: British’s Deaf Association

jasminerridd — 2025-05-26 23:41:43 UTC

The British Deaf Association, originally named, The British Deaf and Dumb Association, was established on July 24th 1890. The founding of BDA directly followed the failure to consult Deaf people on the 1889 Royal Commission for the education of deaf child. In response, Deaf leaders, including the BDA founder, Francis Maginn, organized a national conference in London to advocate for Deaf rights and education. Later that year after the conference the BDA was formed. This gathering was also a delayed response to the 1880 Milan Congress, where hearing educators had banned sign language and removed Deaf teachers from classrooms across Europe (BDA).

Stiles, D. (2015, July 24). Archive for July, 2015. July | 2015 | UCL UCL Ear Institute & Action on Hearing Loss Libraries. https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/library-rnid/2015/07/

History. British Deaf Association. (n.d.). https://bda.org.uk/history/

1901: The Founding of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf

2025-05-28 00:01:27 UTC

This society was created to provide Deaf individuals with access to life insurance and financial security benefits that were regularly denied by mainstream insurers due to discriminatory beliefs about Deafness. The Fraternal Society gave Deaf people critical social and financial support. It represented both self-advocacy and empowerment in a time of exclusion.

Boynton, D.C. (1996). Forbidden Signs: American Culture and the Campaign against Sign Language. University of Chicago Press.

1924: First World Games for the Deaf

2025-05-29 05:47:35 UTC

The first games were held in Paris, France in 1942. They began as a small gathering of 148 athletes from nine different European nations that competed; now they are a global movement. To qualify you must have a hearing loss of 55db in your "better ear". They may not use hearing aids, cochlear implants or the like.

Administrator. (n.d.). Deaf history -. Deaf History - Europe - 1924: First World Games for the Deaf. https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1924-first-world-games-for-the-deaf

1922: Alexander Graham Bell died in Nova Scotia, Canada

2025-05-29 06:14:12 UTC

Alexander Graham Bell, best known for inventing the telephone, had a lifelong connection to the deaf community. Both his mother and wife were deaf, which deeply influenced his work and passions. Bell was a teacher of the deaf and developed innovative methods to help them communicate, including the use of visible speech. While he made significant contributions to deaf education, some of his views—such as discouraging the use of sign language—remain controversial.

The influence of Alexander Graham Bell. Gallaudet University. (n.d.). https://gallaudet.edu/museum/exhibits/history-through-deaf-eyes/language-and-identity/the-influence-of-alexander-graham-bell/

1925: Deaf Women and Inclusion in the NFSD

2025-05-29 10:47:48 UTC

During the early 20th century, the Deaf community began to see increased gender inclusivity, particularly through the efforts of Deaf women seeking equal representation in social and civic organizations. A milestone occurred in 1925, when the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf (NFSD)—originally a male-only insurance society—voted to admit women members. This change was significant not only because it opened access to financial protection and social support for Deaf women but also because it symbolized a broader cultural shift toward gender equity within the Deaf community.

Gertrude Elkins of Danville, Kentucky, made history as the first female member admitted to the NFSD. Her membership marked a formal acknowledgment of the leadership and contributions of Deaf women to their communities and laid the groundwork for more inclusive practices across Deaf-led organizations (Gannon, 2011, Chapter 5).

Reference

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. Gallaudet University Press. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/17340

1922: Annie Jump Cannon’s International Impact

2025-05-29 10:55:30 UTC

In 1922, Deaf astronomer Annie Jump Cannon made history as a delegate to the first General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in Rome. At this groundbreaking global meeting, Cannon played a central role in establishing a universal stellar classification system, which categorized stars by temperature using the now-standard sequence: O, B, A, F, G, K, M. Her presence not only reinforced the scientific validity of her classification method but also marked a major moment of representation for both women and Deaf individuals in science.

Cannon’s participation helped the IAU adopt this system internationally, ensuring its use by astronomers worldwide. Her involvement in such a prestigious forum at a time when women—and especially Deaf women—were often excluded from scientific spaces demonstrates her pioneering legacy as a scientist and advocate for inclusion (U.S. National Park Service, n.d.).

Reference

U.S. National Park Service. (n.d.). Annie Jump Cannon: The deaf astronomer who classified the stars. https://www.nps.gov/articles/annie-jump-cannon.htm

1926: Edith Mansford Fitzgerald Publishes Grammar Book for the Deaf

2025-05-29 14:07:45 UTC

Edith Mansford Fitzgerald, born 1877 in Memphis, Tennessee, was an educator who developed a system to teach Deaf students proper sentence structure. Drawing from her own experience as a Deaf person who struggled with education as a young person (who later graduated valedictorian at Gallaudet College [University]), Edith wanted to make a system that would specifically tailor to Deaf students and their learning needs. This system gained wide adoption among Deaf schools and helped many students learn english grammar. (Lautenschlager, n.d.)

Lautenschlager, J. L. (n.d.). Dictionary of virginia biography - Edith Mansford Fitzgerald (29 August 1877-26 June 1940) biography. The Library of Virginia. https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/dvb/bio.asp?b=Fitzgerald_Edith_Mansford

Marcos Martinez

1920s: NAD increased advocacy

2025-05-29 14:20:16 UTC

The National Association of the Deaf was established in 1880. It is a civil rights organization for and by deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States (National Association of the Deaf, 2019). Their advocacy included a broad range of work from education to civil rights and more. There were some important things that they advocated for in the 1920s. In 1920, the thirteenth national convention for the NAD was held. There, they passed a resolution protecting the use of sign language. They also protested against doctors who claimed they could "restore the hearing" of deaf children. They urged the government to require those doctors to report to the state board of education all cases of deafness. During this time, many states passed laws banning deaf people from obtaining driving licenses. There were even discussions at the federal level to mandate hearing tests for all drivers. The NAD advocated for and worked to dissolve these restrictions and ensure that deaf people could obtain driver's licenses.

NAD - National Association of the Deaf. (2025). Nad.org. https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/#1930s

National Association of the Deaf. (2019). National Association of the Deaf - NAD. Nad.org. https://www.nad.org/about-us/

‌

1927: Nellie Zabel Willhite Begins Pilot Training

2025-05-29 14:33:26 UTC

Nellie Zabel Willhite (1892-1991) because Deaf as a young child due to contracting measles. This did not stop Nellie from living a very exciting life. She started pilot training at the age of 34 and became the first female pilot in South Dakota and one of the earliest Deaf pilots in the country. She later contributed to war-time efforts as a ground-school instructor and a plane inspector (Smith, 1993).

Smith, C. F. (1993). Dakota Images: Nellie Zabel Willhite. In South Dakota History (Vol. 23, Ser. 2, pp. 180–180). essay, South Dakota State Historical Society.

Marcos Martinez

1934: International Exhibition of Fine and Applied Arts by Deaf Artists

2025-05-29 14:46:05 UTC

The International Exhibition of Fine and Applied Arts by Deaf Artists was held from July 21 to August 11, 1934, in New York City (Collection: The International Exhibition of Fine and Applied Arts by Deaf Artists Collection | ArchivesSpace Public Interface, 2023). The exhibit was the first of its kind in the United States. The exhibit focused on art by artists who were born deaf or became deaf before pursuing art. The art held at the exhibit showcased the art of deaf artists from over ten countries. The exhibit was intended to educate the public about the achievements of deaf people and to be a cultural impression for those attending the National Association of the Deaf Convention. There was a multitude of different types of art, including watercolor paintings, small sculptures, book bindings, photography, and more. The collection is now open to the public at the Gallaudet University Archives. The exhibit had a powerful impact on the deaf community. It celebrated the deaf artists and showcased their work on an international stage. It gave the artists a platform and gained them global recognition. It was also a step towards breaking down stereotypes about the Deaf community.

Collection: The International Exhibition of Fine and Applied Arts by Deaf Artists Collection | ArchivesSpace Public Interface. (2023). Gallaudet.edu. https://gaarchives.gallaudet.edu/repositories/2/resources/95

‌

January 3rd, 1926: Harry Humphrey Moore dies at 81 years old

2025-05-29 19:37:47 UTC

H.H. Moore was born in New York and became deaf at the age of 3. He attended the Institute for Deaf and Mutes in Philadelphia and primarily studied under Professor David Bartlett. His artistic education began underneath Professor Ball in New Haven. In 1870 he went to Granada, Spain in order to make oil sketches of the Alhambra (a fortress complex). In 1881 he visited San Francisco, Japan, and Paris and spent nine years in France before it became a somewhat permanent residence for him. In 1872 he married Isabel de Cistue of Saragossa. His artwork was globally recognized and reshaped American artwork for the foreseeable future.

-Isaac Capozza

The Washington Post. (1926). AMERICAN PAINTER, H.H. MOORE, DEAD; Former New Yorker, Who Lived to Be 81, Portrayed Scenes All Over the World. BURSH BUSY FOR 60 YEARS Studied Under Gerome -- Made Paris His Home -- Funeral Service to Be Held on Tuesday. Retrieved on May 29, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/1926/01/03/archives/american-painter-hh-moore-dead-former-new-yorker-who-lived-to-be-81.html

1924: The First Silent Games is held in Paris

2025-05-29 19:46:36 UTC

This marked the first ever international sporting event for disabled athletes. This event is held every four years only pausing once due to World War II. The event is organized by the International Committe of Sports for the Deaf. The intial gathering was a small group of 148 athletes from nine European nations. In order to qualify to participate, individuals must have at least 55 db hearing loss in their better ear. No devices that would improve hearing are allowed to be worn in order to place all athletes at the same level. Since 2001, the games have officially been dubbed Deaflympics.

-Isaac Capozza

Deafhistory. (n.d.). 1924: First World Games for the Deaf. Retrieved on May 29, 2025. https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1924-first-world-games-for-the-deaf

Match 12, 1937: George Veditz Dies

2025-05-29 21:21:11 UTC

George Veditz was born to German immigrants in Baltimore, MD in 1861. He became deaf at the age of 8 after contracting scarlett fever. He fluently spoke English, German, ASL, as well as other undocumented languages. He was privately tutored until he was 14 where he enrolled in the Maryland School for the Deaf. The school principal hired Veditz to be his private bookkeeper and seceretary. Due to poor finances, Veditz could not enroll at Gallaudet. Veditz worked as a foreman for the printing office as MSD where he worked the first year without pay (gagworthy) then subsequently worked for 6 dollars a month during his second year. In 1880, Veditz was finally able to afford to enroll at Gallaudet and studied education as his major. He graduated in 1884 as the valedictorian for his class. He earned his Master's a few three years later from Gallaudet. He met his wife over a game of chess and they married in 1894. He continued to play chess and competed against the U.S. chess champion grandmaster Frank J. Marshall. In 1904, Veditzz became the president of the NAD. In 1913, Veditz filmed the Preservation of Sign Language. He had a strong stance on preserving sign language and woked closeely with Oscar Regensburg to bring the video to the general public. He contributed countless articles to a plethora of deaf and jewish-centered new outlets and was the editor-in-chief for the OPtimist in Atlanta and teh Silver Courier in Chicago. Veditz wrote a letter to President Theodore Roosevelt after a ban was place on deaf people applying for civil service positions and after the ban was refused to be overturned, gathered supporters in the summer of 1908 (including William H. Taft) which resulted in the overturning of the ban. After Taft's election in 1909, he created an executive order to reduce the power of Civil Service mangaers to restrict deaf employees to certain jobs and also required all federal department supply a list of jobs open to deaf applicants. This resulted in 84 jobs becoming available to deaf applicants.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word. (n.d.). Deaf Timelines. Retrieved on May 29, 2025 from https://silentword.org/timelines/

Gallaudet. (2014). George W. Veditz: Visionary Leader - July 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2025 from https://gallaudet.edu/museum/history/george-w-veditz-visionary-leader-july-2014/

August 6th, 1935: Deaf Sculptor Douglas Tiden dies

2025-05-29 21:41:02 UTC

Dougas Tilden was born May 1st 1860 and passed on August 5th, 1935. He was deafened at the age of 4 after contracting scarlet fever. He attended the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley, California. He sculpted a multitude of the statues seen throughout Berkely, San Francisco, and the San Francisco Bay Area. After he graduated he went on to teach at UC Berkeley and studied with Francis Marion Well. He picked up sculpting in 1883 and produced the Tired Wrestler which in 1885 drew the board of California School for the Deaf's attention. They offered him an opportunity to sculpt and in 1887 he took it. He attended the Academy of Design in New york where he left to study art in Paris. In 1888, while in Paris, he studied under the deaf sculptor Francois Choppin. Tilden returned to California in 1893 and gt married in 1896. It is thought that his work evokes homoeroticism.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word. (n.d.). Deaf Timelines. Retrieved on May 29, 2025 from https://silentword.org/timelines/

Find a Grave. (2004). Douglas Tilden. Retrieved on May 29, 2025 from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8862285/douglas-tilden

1928: Nellie Zabel Willhite, First Deaf Female Pilot

devillezmegan — 2025-05-29 21:47:16 UTC

In 1928, Nellie Zabel Willhite became the first Deaf woman in the United States to earn a pilot’s license. She trained at the Curtiss-Wright Aviation School and became a licensed pilot at age 36, despite facing barriers due to her Deafness. Her determination and success not only challenged stereotypes about Deaf capabilities but also symbolized a broader cultural shift in the Deaf community during the 1920s.

Shell, C. (2017, November 16). Nellie Zabel Willhite – First Deaf Woman Pilot. Start ASL. https://www.startasl.com/nellie-zabel-willhite/

1924 - The First International Silent Games (Deaflympics)

dullmm1 — 2025-05-29 23:36:52 UTC

In 1924, the first International Silent Games were held in Paris, France. These games marked a transformative moment in Deaf history, establishing a global athletic platform created by and for Deaf people. Later known as the Deaflympics, this event emphasized the importance of self-representation, sportsmanship, and community pride. Deaf athletes rejected being categorized with other disability groups like in the Paralympics, asserting the cultural and linguistic uniqueness of the Deaf world.

Deaflympics. (n.d.). History of Deaflympics. Retrieved from https://www.deaflympics.com

Margaret Dull

1928 - Nellie Zabel Willhite Becomes the First Deaf Female Pilot

dullmm1 — 2025-05-29 23:37:22 UTC

In 1928, Nellie Zabel Willhite made history as the first Deaf woman to earn a pilot’s license in the United States—possibly the world. Despite being discouraged due to her deafness, Willhite became a licensed pilot and flew in several air races. Her achievements challenged stereotypes about the limitations of Deaf people and opened pathways for future Deaf professionals in aviation.

South Dakota Historical Society Foundation. (n.d.). Nellie Zabel Willhite: South Dakota’s First Woman Pilot. Retrieved from https://www.sdhsf.org/news-events/newsroom.html/article/2019/03/01/nellie-zabel-willhite-south-dakota-s-first-woman-pilot

Margaret Dull

1925 - National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Hosts Its First National Convention

2025-05-29 23:48:33 UTC

In 1925, the NFSD held its first national convention. This event marked a significant step in unifying Deaf Americans and strengthening a national Deaf identity during a time when oralism was still dominant in education.

Becker, J. C. (2012). History of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf. Utah Deaf History. Retrieved from https://www.utahdeafhistory.com/history-of-the-national-fraternal-8203society-of-the-deaf.htm

NAME: Reid Bender

1945 - Founding of the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD)

2025-05-30 00:39:33 UTC

In April 1945, the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD) was established during a meeting in Akron, Ohio. This organization was created to promote athletic contests among Deaf clubs, with basketball as its primary focus. The AAAD aimed to foster uniform rules for athletic competition, establish championship regulations, and serve as a parent organization for regional athletics. The inaugural national basketball tournament was held the following day, featuring teams from Los Angeles, Kansas City, Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Akron. This event marked a pivotal moment in Deaf sports history, providing a platform for Deaf athletes to showcase their talents and build a sense of community. In 1965, the AAAD hosted the World Games of the Deaf for the first time on U.S. soil, further solidifying its role in the international Deaf sports arena. The organization eventually evolved into the United States of America Deaf Basketball (USADB), continuing its mission to serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes through organized sports activities (United States of America Deaf Basketball).

United States of America Deaf Basketball. The AAAD-USADB Story. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://usadb.us/hoops/about-us/history/

Myrakle Johnson

1929: "Golden Era" of Silent Films

emreerae17 — 2025-05-30 01:13:30 UTC

From 1893-1929 silent films were extremely popular (Schuchman, 2004). One main reason that silent films were so highly regarded was because they were particularly accessible. Deaf and hearing people could watch and enjoy these films in the same way. This brought a form of unison and connection amongst both communities. This also sparked an increase in Deaf film-makers (Schuchman, 2004). Silent films that incorporated ASL were then being made and viewed by the Deaf community.

Schuchman, J. (2004). The Silent Film Era: Silent Films, NAD Films, and the Deaf Community's Response. Gallaudet University Press.

1926: "Better Hearing Week"

emreerae17 — 2025-05-30 01:26:27 UTC

In 1926 a campaign called "Better Hearing Week" was launched. Nowadays, this week is known as National Hearing Week (nyamhistofmed, 2016). This week was initially started to "inform" people the problems that hearing loss bring. This was impacted the Deaf community very negatively. Physicians would advertise how better of a livelihood Deaf and HOH people would have if they sought out treatment (nyamhistofmed, 2016). Hearing aids were also in the early stages of development, so they were viewed as a solution to any form of hearing loss. However, this is simply not true or attainable for many Deaf people.

nyamhistofmed. (2016, June 29). Deafness as a Public Health Issue in the 1920s & 1930s (Part 1 of 2). Books, Health and History. https://nyamcenterforhistory.org/2016/06/29/deafness-as-a-public-health-issue-in-the-1920s-1930s-part-1-of-2/

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Ava Zelinsky Module 4

2025-05-30 01:50:47 UTC

In 1907, Bell wanted to prohibit intermarriage among Deaf people. In 1910, President Taft removed all discriminatory barriers to Deaf people in federal jobs. In 1915, Congress passed a bill to create a bureau for the deaf in the Department of Labor. In 1920, deaf people were allowed to sign again. Some states were banning driver's licenses to deaf drivers, while some were only restricting them. The federal government is trying to find a solution.

National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). NAD history. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/

1921: Rolf Harmsen earns first state title as a Deaf track athlete

mcclessr — 2025-05-30 02:24:45 UTC

Rolf Harmsen was a deaf student in the early 1920s, attending Devils Lake School for the Deaf. His junior year of high school, the young athlete made history not only for himself, but for the Deaf community. Harmsen was a great runner, but disadvantaged as he was not able to hear the gun shoot off (signaling when the runners can start). This caused him a delay, but Harmsen won state title despite this obstacle. This showed the strength Deaf people empower, that deafness is not a handicap but something to be proud of. This triumph helped break down the beliefs that society had of Deaf people's limitations.

Sandstrom, T. (2022 May 18). The Sensational Rolf Harmsen. Prairie Public NewsRoom. https://news.prairiepublic.org/show/dakota-datebook-archive/2022-05-18/the-sensational-rolf-harmsen

Nellie Zabel Willhite Becomes the First Deaf Female Pilot (1928)

2025-05-30 02:32:44 UTC

In 1928, Nellie Zabel Willhite became the first Deaf female pilot in the United States, and possibly the world. Born in 1892 in South Dakota and deafened by illness at age two, she defied expectations by earning her pilot's license during a time when both women and Deaf individuals faced significant societal barriers. Willhite joined the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots, and used her visibility to promote independence and capability among Deaf people. Her achievement reflected a broader shift during the interwar period when Deaf Americans increasingly challenged stereotypes and asserted themselves in public life.

Contributed by Calvin Souder South Dakota Historical Society Foundation. (2021, May). South Dakota's first female pilot, Nellie Zabel Willhite. https://www.sdhsf.org/news_events/history_articles.html/title/may-2021-south-dakota-s-first-female-pilot-nellie-zabel-willhite

1921: Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid was invented and released to market

mcclessr — 2025-05-30 02:56:31 UTC

First patented in 1920, Earl C. Hanson rolled out a new type of hearing aid to the public. This piece of early hearing technology used amplification of sound via electricity to help individuals with hearing loss hear more. In its introduction, the cost of the product was $135.00. This hearing aid can be believed to help the development of future hearing aids, as advancements in technology are known to lead to more advancement. Hanson's invention was able to allow some Deaf individuals to understand oralism more effectively, especially with the creation taking place about four decades after the Milan Conference. As great as this sounds, it is possible that the Vactuphone could have made more of a push in education for the favor of oralism, now that some Deaf people could read lips or hear better. This was not good as many Deaf people do not prefer oralism and even if they wanted to, not everyone could afford the technology.

Hearing Aid Museum. (n.d.). Vactuphone Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid. Hearing Aid Museum. https://www.hearingaidmuseum.com/gallery/Vacuum%20Tube/OtherMakes/info/vactuphone.htm

1927: The New York League for the Hard of Hearing tests for hearing in schools

2025-05-30 03:03:24 UTC

^{Meghan Sawyer}

The New York League for the Hard of Hearing, established in 1910, was shifting the narrative around Deafness as it being a handicap (as it was seen more so as an issue of education or communication at the time). Part of their mission was identifying Deafness, specifically when in 1927, they purchased audiometers and offered "invitations to conduct earing tests in schools across New York, so children with hearing impairment could be assessed accordingly" (Virdi-Dhesi). Whether or not the opinions of the League were correct, it is undeniable that their acts of raising awareness for Deafness would have been beneficial to Deaf children in receiving the proper communication and support they need.

Source:

Virdi-Dhesi, J. (2016, June 29). Deafness as a public health issue in the 1920s & 1930s (part 1 of 2). Books, Health and History. https://nyamcenterforhistory.org/2016/06/29/deafness-as-a-public-health-issue-in-the-1920s-1930s-part-1-of-2/

1929: The Silent Worker Temporarily Stops Publications

2025-05-30 03:41:21 UTC

The Silent Worker was a newspaper that promoted deaf culture, sign language, and deaf achievements. In 1929 the Great Depression hit, ultimately cutting the budgets and forcing the newspaper to stop publications until beginning again in 1948.

Source: Gallaudet University. (n.d.). The Silent Worker. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://ida.gallaudet.edu/silent-worker/

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1924: Hendrika Nicoline Van Der Heyden Only Woman to Compete in the 1924 Deaflympics

2025-05-30 03:59:27 UTC

Hendrika Nicoline Van Der Heyden was the only woman to compete in the 1924 Deaflympics. She competed alone in a 100 meter back stroke and won with a time of 2:03.6. This was also a world record.

Sources:

sharrison64. (2014, March 8). Celebrating women in deaf sport. Two Big Ears. https://big-ears.org/2014/03/08/celebrating-women-in-deaf-sport/

International Committee of Sports for the Deaf. (n.d.). Hendrika Nicoline van der Heyden. Deaflympics. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://www.deaflympics.com/athletes/hendrika-van-der-heyden

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1915: Deaf Americans contribute to war effort

parentcm — 2025-05-30 04:56:58 UTC

Between the years of 1914 and 1918, Deaf people contributed to the war effort through working in factories and organized supplies for those in need. Although Deaf people could not serve in the military, many participated in volunteer work and blood drives. Their contributions through industrial and factory work, paired with volunteer work, contributed greatly to helping the country stay afloat.

History Through Deaf Eyes – War Effort Contributions. Gallaudet University. (2022, August 24). https://gallaudet.edu/museum/exhibits/history-through-deaf-eyes/community-building/since-deaf-people-werent-allowed-to-serve-in-the-military-they-contributed-to-the-war-effort-from-home/

1920: Deafness Declared a Public Health Concern

2025-05-30 19:19:35 UTC

In the early 1920s, Deafness began to be viewed as a public health issue, not just as an individual medical condition. Public health campaigns focused on preventing Deafness rather than supporting Deaf culture.

This contributed to the stigmatization of Deaf individuals, portraying Deafness as something to be fixed or avoided.

Schweik, S.M. (2021). Deafness as a public health issue in the 1920s and 1930s.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

2025-05-30 21:49:12 UTC

In April 1977, Deaf activists participated in the historic Section 504 Sit-In, a 28-day occupation of a federal building in San Francisco. This protest demanded the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. The success of this protest led to the signing of regulations that enforced accessibility and equal rights for individuals with disabilities, including Deaf people. This event became a defining moment in Deaf civil rights history, showing the power of organized advocacy and intersectional activism (National Association of the Deaf).

Reference:

National Association of the Deaf . Rehabilitation Act of 1973. https://www.nad.org/resources/civil-rights-laws/rehabilitation-act-of-1973/

Myrakle Johnson

1935: The United States entered their first International Games for the Deaf

emreerae17 — 2025-05-31 14:37:07 UTC

The International Games for the Deaf, or Deaflympics, is a tournament of Deaf athletes across the world. All countries are invited to participate. The United States first participated in 1935, they were the first non-European country to enter the games (Ammons, 2008). The International Games for the Deaf offer an opportunity to Deaf athletes to showcase their talents. The Deaflympics vary from other Olympic games because they are ran by the community they are serving (Ammons, 2008). This means that all administrators, judges, and teammates are Deaf.

Deaf Sports & Deaflympics The International Olympic Committee Prepared by Dr. Donalda K. Ammons President International Committee of Sports for the Deaf. (2008). https://www.jfd.or.jp/sc/files/deaflympics/resources/presrep-e.pdf

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1932: First Deaf professional football player to play an entire season

emreerae17 — 2025-05-31 15:05:10 UTC

Bilbo "Mule" Monaghan was the first Deaf professional football player to play a full season (Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, 2018). He played for the Memphis Tigers in 1932. He did not wear a helmet during his time with the team. However, he was very helpful in returning long interceptions (Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, 2018). This was a prominent time for the Deaf community because there was representation in professional sports.

Bilbo Monaghan - Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. (2018, December 5). Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. https://msfame.com/inductees/bilbo-monaghan/

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1936: The National Fraternal Society of the Deaf opens their first office amidst national economic depression

2025-05-31 18:26:19 UTC

^{Meghan Sawyer}

Although founded at the turn of the century, the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf (NFSD) initially began as an insurance provider for Deaf people, who were otherwise denied coverage by mainstream insurance companies. This business grew exponentially, demonstrated through "During the Great Depression, NFSD assets passed the $2 million mark and continued to climb as the Second World War began. The organization bought its first office headquarters in Illinois during the middle of the Depression, in 1936" (Burch 105). Unlike the rest of the United States, and in a rare instance, it seemed that the Deaf were better off in one financial sphere.

Source:

Burch, S. (2004). Signs of resistance: American deaf cultural history, 1900 to World War II. New York University Press.

1936: Anne Sullivan, "Teacher of Helen Keller, died October 20, 1936

2025-05-31 21:47:09 UTC

Anne Sullivan was an American teacher to Helen Keller from the time she was six years old and continued to be with her at school and throughout life until her death. Anne was married for a brief time to John A. Macy who helped write Helen Keller's biography. In 1913 they separated and Anne continued with Helen Keller. They went out on tour through the American Foundation for the Deaf.

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2025, April 10). Anne Sullivan. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anne-Sullivan

1930: Legacy of George Veditz Carries Into the 1930s

2025-06-01 03:30:54 UTC

Although George Veditz passed away in 1937, his work promoting American Sign Language continued to inspire Deaf leaders during the 1930s. his famous 1913 film, "Preservation of Sign Language," became even more meaningful as the Deaf community fought for linguistic recognition.

"As long as we have deaf people on earth, we will have signs." - George Veditz

(Veditz, 1913)

Veditz, G. (1913). Preservation of Sign Language [Film]. National Association of the Deaf. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlTbj3NTLUQ

1934: Communications Act of 1934

2025-06-02 00:35:25 UTC

The Communications Act of 1934 was important in the Deaf community because this Act provided mandates to require telecommunications equipment and services including closed captioning. Closed captioning gave the Deaf and hard of hearing people that ability to watch TV without any sign language interpretation.

Communications act. National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.-a). https://www.nad.org/resources/civil-rights-laws/communications-act/#:~:text=The%20Communications%20Act%20of%201934,services%2C%20including%20television%20closed%20captioning.

1935 - International Games for the Deaf

2025-06-02 01:11:10 UTC

The International Silent Games, or Deaflympics, was held in London in 1935. These games provided a global stage for Deaf athletes.

Murray, J. J. (2025, April 11). Deaf history - Sign language, education, advocacy. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Deaf-history

NAME: Reid Bender

1930:The Formation of the Chicago Deaf Club

devillezmegan — 2025-06-02 01:12:41 UTC

Chicago Deaf Club was established as a crucial social, cultural, and political hub for Deaf individuals in the Midwest during the Great Depression. Unlike other social clubs of the time, the Chicago Deaf Club created space for Deaf people to gather regularly, communicate freely in sign language, and organize community events. This development helped the rise of organizations like the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf and helped strengthen the collective Deaf identity during a period of widespread hardship (Van Cleve & Crouch, 1989).

Van Cleve, J. V., & Crouch, B. A. (1989). A Place of Their Own: Creating the Deaf Community in America. Gallaudet University Press.

Ava Zelinsky Module 5

2025-06-02 01:19:48 UTC

In 1921, Earl Hanson patented the first vacuum-tube hearing aid. In 1922, Alexander Graham Bell died. The International Committee of Silent Sports was founded by E. Rubens Alcais and Antoine Dresse in 1924. In 1928, Nellie Zabel Willhite was licensed to fly in South Dakota and was the first solo deaf pilot in the world.

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Deaf history timelines. Silent Word Ministries. https://silentword.org/timelines/

1930: Franklin C. Smielau Elected President of the National Deaf Association

2025-06-02 01:30:55 UTC

Franklin C. Smielau was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He joined the Ohio School for the Deaf at age 10 and graduated at the age of 15 in 1897. Smielau held his position as president of the NAD from 1930-1933 and ultimately had to retire due to a physical disability caused by diabetes. He was also a star athlete at the Ohio School for the Deaf and Gallaudet University, served as an alumnus, and played an active role in the evolution of the deaf community.

Source:

Gallaudet University Library. (n.d.). Roberts, Arthur Laurence "Bobs" or "Rooster". Guide to Deaf Biographies. Retrieved June 1, 2025, from https://liblists.wrlc.org/biographies/55431

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1937: George Veditz Died

2025-06-02 01:50:31 UTC

George Veditz was known for capturing his sign language on film in 1913, declaring it the Preservation of Sign Language. Veditz was the valedictorian of his class and earned a Master's Degree from Gallaudet University in 1887. He was also the president of the National Association of the Deaf in 1904. He passed away at age 75 in 1937.

Source:

Gallaudet University Museum. (2014, July). George W. Veditz: Visionary Leader. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/history/george-w-veditz-visionary-leader-july-2014/

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1935 – U.S. Debuts at the International Games for the Deaf

2025-06-02 02:28:59 UTC

The United States made its debut at the International Games for the Deaf (now Deaflympics) in 1935 which became a pivotal moment for Deaf visibility and pride worldwide. During the Great Depression when Deaf people encountered discrimination and minimal support Deaf athletes demonstrated their capabilities while disproving the false notion that Deaf individuals lacked ability. The event demonstrated the powerful dedication of the Deaf community toward inclusion and athletic achievement and international participation.

— Calvin Souder

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. Gallaudet University Press. (From our material!!)

1934: Deaf wrestler Everett Rattan won 109 straight matches

mcclessr — 2025-06-02 02:38:42 UTC

The 1930s really started to show the advancement of Deaf people in Athletics. Everett Nathan Rattan was a Deaf wrestler, not being able to hear or speak. In 1923, the wrestler made his professional debut. About ten years later, the champion went on to win 109 straight matches. Everett was able to sign with his coach, who was also Deaf. This showed many people how capable Deaf people are of things that society may not see them for. As Deafness affects the body physically, many were to believe that the Deaf are ultimately worse at sports, but this could not be farther from the truth. Rattan was able to show true strength and resilience, despite not being able to hear and facing opponents who could.

Welch, E. (2024, April 1). Everett Nathan "Silent" Rattan photograph. Library of Virginia Archives. https://archives.lib.virginia.edu/repositories/3/resources/1635#

1937: Ernest Marshall started making motion pictures with Sign Language

mcclessr — 2025-06-02 02:55:57 UTC

The third-generation Deaf filmmaker, Ernest Marshall, made many productions during his career. Starting in 1937, he made the first known motion picture film that was intended for Deaf audiences to watch and understand. The films used sign language so the Deaf community could better understand. Not only did Ernest make more film available to those who cannot hear, but he was able to better connect the film industry with the Deaf community.

Ernest Marshall. (n.d.). DeafPeople.com. https://www.deafpeople.com/history/history_info/marshall.html

1945: The founding of the American Athletic Union of the Deaf

2025-06-02 16:42:05 UTC

The American Athletic Union of the Deaf was founded in 1945. It was founded at the first national deaf basketball tournament in Akron, Ohio (Collection: The American Athletic Association of the Deaf Clipping Collection | ArchivesSpace Public Interface, 2017). It is a non-profit organization that was established to support and promote athletic opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States (Force, 2023). The organization holds regional and national events for a range of sports, including basketball, softball, and volleyball. The AAUD also collaborates with other deaf sports organizations to advocate for the accessibility and inclusion of the deaf community in sports. The AAUD also helped support American deaf athletes at international competitions. Eventually, in 1997, the AAAD changed its name to the USA Deaf Sports Federation. Overall, the AAUD promoted deaf athletes and their athletic abilities. It showed the world that Deaf individuals could compete in competitive sports and succeed at high levels. It also strengthened the Deaf community by creating a sense of camaraderie.

Collection: The American Athletic Association of the Deaf Clipping Collection | ArchivesSpace Public Interface. (2017). Gallaudet.edu. https://gaarchives.gallaudet.edu/repositories/2/resources/229

Force, A. (2023, July 12). American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD) - AccessForce. AccessForce. https://accessforce.org/glossary/american-athletic-association-of-the-deaf-aaad/

1550: Pedro Ponce de Leon; First Person to Teach the Deaf

emreerae17 — 2025-06-02 19:43:35 UTC

Pedro Ponce de Leon was a Spanish Benedictine monk. He is known to be the first person to ever teach the Deaf. He established a school for the Deaf at his monastery. The children were all Deaf and those of wealthy aristocrats. His form of teaching Deaf children was an early implementation of oralism. During the time, it was bold for Pedro to teach Deaf children because many people saw the Deaf as incapable of learning (Deaf History - Europe - 1520 - 1584: Pedro Ponce de León, the First Teacher of the Deaf (ES), n.d.). This was an important moment for the Deaf community because people began to acknowledge that Deaf people are capable.

Deaf History - Europe - 1520 - 1584: Pedro Ponce de León, the first teacher of the deaf (ES). (n.d.). Deafhistory.eu. https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/item/1550-pedro-ponce-de-leon

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1620: Juan Pablo de Bonet Publishes First Book on Sign Language

emreerae17 — 2025-06-02 19:45:34 UTC

Juan Pablo was a Spanish priest who published a book on teaching sign language. Within the book it gives examples of signs and how to produce them. As well as how to teach Deaf children orally. Due to the time he lived in, he was also a believer that sign was a step towards being able to produce language orally. Most notably, the signs for the alphabet were documented in this book for the first time. His teachings had an influence on current signs and productions and were an important step for signing representation (Deaf History - Europe - Deaf Education, 1000 BC - 1700, n.d.).

Deaf History - Europe - Deaf Education, 1000 BC - 1700. (n.d.). Deafhistory.eu. https://deafhistory.eu/index.php/component/zoo/category/1000-bc-1701

1835-1837: "Deaf" Smith a Folk Hero

emreerae17 — 2025-06-02 19:50:16 UTC

Cutrer, T. (2020, August 3). TSHA | Smith, Erastus [Deaf]. Www.tshaonline.org. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/smith-erastus-deaf

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

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1933- The Deaf Holocaust

2025-06-02 20:02:19 UTC

When the Nazi party came to power in Germany in 1933, they promised stability, prosperity and national renewal to a country which, since its defeat in the First World War, had suffered constant social and economic upheaval. Yet as with all totalitarian regimes, there was a darker side. Hitler was obsessed with racial purity - with the idea that nature had created a superior Aryan race, an elite with the quickest minds and most able bodies. Therefore, by the laws of nature, anyone judged ‘inferior’ or 'weak' should be eradicated to protect the 'purity' of the gene pool. Into this category came Jews, gypsies, black people, gay people - plus deaf and disabled people (Clare, J.D.)

Clare, J. D. Deaf Holocaust. JohnDClare.net. Retrieved from https://www.johndclare.net/Nazi_Germany3_deafholocaust.htm

Myrakle Johnson

1951 - World Federation of Deaf

2025-06-02 23:50:51 UTC

Founded on 23 September 1951 in Rome, Italy, following the first World Congress of delegates from 25 national deaf associations, the World Federation of the Deaf emerged in response to the barriers that deaf people face in achieving full accessibility, equal human rights, and participation in political decisions affecting their lives. The WFD is one of the oldest international organizations of persons with disabilities in the world (World Federation of the Deaf.)

World Federation of the Deaf. Our story. World Federation of the Deaf. Retrieved from https://wfdeaf.org/our-story/

1910: Alice Nicholson became the first female Editor-in-Chief of The Buff and Blue.

jasminerridd — 2025-06-03 01:02:03 UTC

The June 1910 issue of The Buff and Blue was important because it featured the first woman as editor-in-chief, Alice Nicholson. In this issue one of the first articles that stuck out to me was titled, “That Class of 1910”, it was a reflection on the graduating class in a proud and light hearted way. They interestingly added in statistics regarding the height and weight of the graduates (Grace & Nicholson, 1910). Following that were anecdotes from the seniors which included Alice Nicholson’s titled, “Florida”. She wrote about her potential for being inducted into the Gallaudet Hall of Fame, her love for literature especially love stories, her plans to move to Florida post graduation and how she was often compared to Xantippe, Socrates’ wife, known for being strong willed and outspoken (Nicholson, 1910). Alice also had another written piece in this issue titled, “The Fiction of Today”, she wrote about how many of the oldest stories just get reused in a different format for each generation to learn the lesson it’s trying to teach but it also be applicable to their lives (Nicholson, 1910).

Grace, Homer E. and Nicholson, Alice, "The Buff and Blue Vol. 18, No. 9 June 1910" (1910). 1901-1910. 84.
https://ida.gallaudet.edu/buff-blue_1901-1910/84

1927: Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was established

jasminerridd — 2025-06-03 02:15:29 UTC

In 1927, Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was started by Margaret Lane Washington. She was a mother from Middle Tennessee who began to lose her hearing at a young age. Since there were no local resources available, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she became a certified lip reading instructor. In 1927, she held her first speech reading class at the Watkins Institute in downtown Nashville. That class of thirteen students marked the beginning of what would become Bridges. Ms. Washington stayed actively involved with the organization until her passing in 1991, witnessing its growth and changes over the years. Today, Bridges offers a wide range of services and programs for people of all ages—from infancy to older adulthood (Deaf history2019).

Deaf history. bridgesfordeafandhh. (2019). https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history#:~:text=1921%20Earl%20C.,in%20Pershing%20Stadium%20in%20Paris.

1930: The Deaf Mute Howls written by Albert Ballin

jasminerridd — 2025-06-03 02:30:33 UTC

Originally published in 1930, The Deaf Mute Howls by Albert Ballin challenged the dominant approach of teaching deaf children to speak and lip-read while sign language was banned at the time. Drawing from his own life and the experiences of others in a late 19th-century deaf residential school, Ballin expressed his struggles with being accepted in a hearing-dominated society.

The book explores how deaf people viewed themselves during that era. Though Ballin uses outdated terms like “deaf-mute” and laments his limited language development, he also criticizes how society, especially hearing people, failed to make communication accessible and argued that everyone should learn sign language. Despite his surprising support for closing residential schools, an idea promoted by Alexander Graham Bell, Ballin offered a vivid and engaging glimpse into deaf life, including his fascination with the growing film industry (The Deaf Mute Howls,1930).

The Deaf Mute Howls. Gallaudet University Press. (n.d.). https://gupress.gallaudet.edu/Books/T/The-Deaf-Mute-Howls

1941: Eric Malzkuhn; A Deaf Man Recruited for War

emreerae17 — 2025-06-04 18:29:16 UTC

In 1941 as millions of Americans learned that their country was going to war, the men were forced to enlist. A few Deaf men tried to enlist for the sake of their love for their country (Gannon, 2011). One of these men was Eric Malzkuhn. Eric assumed that his doctor knew that he had became Deaf, but he did not know this (Gannon, 2011). Because of this and Eric's ability to lipread, he was sent papers to join (Gannon, 2011). His time was short-lived when a sergeant was telling him his orders and Eric could not hear him (Gannon, 2011).

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

1940s - Deaf Individuals Employed in War Industries

2025-06-04 18:57:20 UTC

During World War II, Deaf Americans took jobs in defense factories such as Goodyear and Firestone, performing well in roles like aircraft and tire manufacturing. Companies used sign language interpreters and visual training methods to support their success.

Source:
Gallaudet University Museum. (n.d.). Factory work: Jobs available to deaf workers during World War II. Gallaudet University. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/exhibits/history-through-deaf-eyes/community-building/factory-work-jobs-available-to-deaf-workers-durin-world-war-ii/

NAME: Reid Bender

1942: The Buff and Blue's 50th Edition

emreerae17 — 2025-06-04 19:42:45 UTC

The Buff and Blue is a newspaper that Gallaudet University publishes. The newspaper was first published in 1892. This was a significant moment because it was one of the first outlets to primarily focus on Deaf news and spread it across the country (Stewart, 1892). In 1942 the paper, which gained popularity in the Deaf community, celebrated its 50th anniversary (Kennedy and Malzkuhn, 1942). In the article topics like student enrollment, honor roll, and wedding announcements were included. It also discussed new information regarding staff and sororities and fraternities (Kennedy and Malzkuhn, 1942). There is most notably a piece written about the past 50 years of Buff and Blue and the impact it has had on the Deaf community (Kennedy and Malzkuhn, 1942).

Stewart, James M., "The Buff and Blue Vol. 01, No. 01 November 1, 1892" (1892).
1892-1900. 1.
https://ida.gallaudet.edu/buff-blue_1892-1900/1

Kennedy, Donald and Malzkuhn, Eric, "The Buff and Blue Vol. 51, No. 1 October 26, 1942" (1942).1941-1950. 24.
https://ida.gallaudet.edu/buff-blue_1941-1950/24

1945: The American Athletic Association of the Deaf

jasminerridd — 2025-06-04 20:24:56 UTC

Originally called the American Athletic Union of the Deaf was founded in 1945 at the first national deaf basketball tournament in Akron, Ohio. Started by deaf sports fans like Art Kruger and Thomas W. Elliott, the organization quickly grew, affiliated with international bodies, and hosted several Deaflympics. It was a great way to promote deaf sports and support deaf athletes, later they changed the name to the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD) and eventually the USA Deaf Sports Federation in 1997. It expanded into multiple sports over the decades and established a Hall of Fame in 1953, honoring figures like William “Dummy” Hoy (Gallaudet University Archives).

The American Athletic Association of the Deaf Clipping Collection, MSS236. Gallaudet University Archives. https://gaarchihves.gallaudet.edu/repositories/2/resources/229 Accessed June 04, 2025.

1930s – Growth of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf during the Great Depression

dullmm1 — 2025-06-04 22:30:02 UTC

Despite the economic hardships of the Great Depression, the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf experienced exponential growth during the 1930s. Originally founded in 1901 to provide insurance and burial benefits to Deaf members, the NFSD expanded its membership and influence during a time when many Deaf individuals faced discrimination and unemployment. The Society became more politically active and vocal in advocating for Deaf labor rights, particularly through efforts to establish labor bureaus that would educate employers and connect Deaf people with job opportunities (Baynton, 2001). This development showed the power of collective action and the importance of Deaf led institutions in shaping economic and social futures for the community.

Baynton, D. C. (2001). Forbidden signs: American culture and the campaign against sign language. University of Chicago Press.

USA Deaf Sports Federation. (n.d.). History of USA Deaf Sports Federation. https://usdeafsports.org/about/history/

Margaret Dull

1943 - The Gallaudet Five Iron Men

dullmm1 — 2025-06-04 23:27:58 UTC

Margaret Dull

In 1943, the Gallaudet College football team, known as the "Five Iron Men," defied all odds by playing an entire game without substitutions and securing a victory over a rival team. During a time when Deaf people faced systemic exclusion from military service and employment during World War II, the determination and teamwork demonstrated by these five players became a source of pride and inspiration within the Deaf community. The Iron Men represented more than athletic ability, they became symbols of Deaf resilience, excellence, and the power of collective identity during a time of global conflict and marginalization (Deaf Heritage, 1996).

Gannon, J. R. (1996). Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. National Association of the Deaf.

1912: Founded Girl Scouts

2025-06-04 23:39:39 UTC

Originally called Girl Guiding, Juliette Gordon Low "Daisy" founded Girl Scouts of the USA in Savannah, Georgia. At the time, women were unable to vote and experienced strict social norms. She had a meeting with the founder of Boy Scouts (Sir Robert Baden-Powell) and was inspired to begin something "girl-led." She gathered a small troop of 18 girls that consisted of her relatives and girls from established families in her town. It pushed boundaries that helped girls advocate for themselves and others, while developing leadership skills. She envisioned a movement for girls to come together and embrace their unique strengths and passions. Each troop was divided into smaller units/"patrols" and were named after a flower. They learned a wide variety of skills that included map reading, first aid, cooking, knot tying, and also played sports.

Juliette Gordon Low | Girl Scouts. (2016). Www.girlscouts.org. https://www.girlscouts.org/en/discover/about-us/history/juliette-gordon-low.html

‌

Spring, K. (2017). Juliette Gordon Low. National Women’s History Museum. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/juliette-gordon-low

Ava Zelinsky Module 6

2025-06-04 23:54:23 UTC

In 1930, Buffalo, New York, the NAD made a statue for Abbé Charles Michael de l’Epée, who founded the first free school for the deaf. When World War 2 started, the hearing men would be on the front lines of battle, which made employers hire deaf men. However the Nazi's targeted deaf people in Europe and around 17,000 deaf people were murdered. Some women were forced to have abortions or were killed.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Deaf history - The 20th century. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/deaf-history/The-20th-century

National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). NAD history: 1930s. https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/#1930s

1943: The John Tracy Clinic for the Deaf opens in Los Angeles

2025-06-05 01:19:27 UTC

John Tracy was born June 16, 1924 to Spencer and Louise Tracy. At 10 months old, John's mother was alarmed when the infant did not react to a door that had accidentally slammed shut. After Louise called after him and received no kind of response, she realized her baby was deaf. After this profound hearing loss diagnosis, Louise dedicated all of her time to studying the education of Deaf children. She wanted to learn how Deaf children could learn to communicate. Through her patience and guidance, her son was not only able to succeed at communicating but thrived in life. Once John was grown, Louise received calls from twelve mothers of young deaf children. In 1943, she founded JTC in response to the stark lack of education, services, and technology available to Deaf children. The clinic was the only institution worldwide to have these services offered to educate and support the parents of infants and preschool children with hearing impairment and deafness. This truly remarkable act of love resulted in over 80 years of love and community support for children belonging to the Deaf community.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Deaf Timeline. Retrieved June 4, 2025 from https://silentword.org/timelines/

John Tracy Clinic. (n.d.) Our History. Retrieved June 4, 2025 from https://www.jtc.org/about/our-story/

1944: Establishment of the National Association of the Deaf Youth Division

devillezmegan — 2025-06-05 01:21:34 UTC

In 1944, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) formally established its Youth Division to empower Deaf young people across the United States. This division provided a platform for Deaf youth to organize, advocate for their rights, and foster social connections during a time when many Deaf young people faced isolation due to oralist educational policies and wartime disruptions (Becker, 2025).

Becker, J. C. (2025). History of the Utah Association of the Deaf conventions/conferences and its officers. Utah Deaf History and Culture. https://www.utahdeafhistory.com/history-of-the-utah-association-of-the-deaf-conventionsconferences-and-its-officers.html

1943: Thomas H. Gallaudet Liberty Ship was built for World War II

2025-06-05 01:44:13 UTC

This tanker type ship was built in Los Angeles, California. This Z-ET1-S-C3 design was aptly named after Thomas H. Gallaudet. This ship was later renamed Maikop during the Cold War. However, the ship's initial name was meant to commemorate the founder of Gallaudet University. This ship in particular was part of a massive fleet of Liberty ships that transported vital supplies for the United States and Allies. This was not the first ship to be named after a deaf individual, however. The first recorded navy ship to be named after a deaf person was the USS Edsall, which was a Clemson-class destroyer named in honor of deaf Seaman Norman Eckley Edsall (1873-1899). The act of naming war ships are often utilized as a means to honor indiviudals whom have distinguished themselves in the military or made significant contrinbutions to the nation. This act is meant as a means of immortalizing their legacy.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Deaf Timelines retrieved on June 4, 2025 from https://silentword.org/timelines/

Auke Visser's Famous T - Tankers Pages. (n.d.). Thomas H. Gallaudet retrieved on June 4, 2025 from https://www.aukevisser.nl/t2tanker/t-tankers-2/id1151.htm

Naval History and Heritage Command (n.d.). USS Edsall (DD-219) retrieved on June 4, 2025 from https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/us-navy-ships/alphabetical-listing/e/uss-edsall--dd-219-0.html

Naval History and Heritage Command (n.d.). The Evolution of Ship Naming in the U.S. Navy retrieved on June 4, 2025 from https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/customs-and-traditions0/ship-naming/the-evolution-of-ship-naming-in-the-u-s--navy.html

Formation of the National Association of the Deaf War Service Committee (1942)

2025-06-05 02:23:51 UTC

In 1942, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) created the War Service Committee to assist Deaf Americans during World War II. Although Deaf individuals were barred from military service, many wanted to help the war effort. The committee aimed to help Deaf workers secure employment in defense industries and advocated for fair treatment and access to training. This initiative marked one of the earliest organized efforts to ensure Deaf inclusion in national labor mobilization, and it helped unify Deaf civic engagement during a time of widespread discrimination and oralist policy dominance (Nomeland & Nomeland, 2012).
—Calvin Souder

Reference
Nomeland, R. E., & Nomeland, M. M. (2012). Illusions of Equality: Deaf Americans in School and Factory 1850–1950. Gallaudet University Press. This is just from our material I find it easier than looking up things and going down a rabbit hole, though that is fun too!

1947: Rhulin Albert Thomas First Deaf Aviator to Fly Coast to Coast

2025-06-05 03:21:48 UTC

Rhulin Albert Thomas graduated from the Missouri School for the Deaf, also attending Gallaudet College for one year. He worked in the US Senate mail room, as well as a printer for multiple DC newspapers. He took flying lessons after World War II, bought his own plane after obtaining his flying license. Ultimately leading him to be the first from the deaf community to fly coast to coast.

Source:

Gallaudet University Library. (n.d.). Thomas, Rhulin Albert. Gallaudet University Library Guide to Deaf Biographies and Index to Deaf Periodicals. https://liblists.wrlc.org/biographies/52509

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1943: Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet Ship built for WWII

2025-06-05 03:24:03 UTC

The California Shipbuilding Corporation built a warship that was sent to the Soviet Union during World War II. The name was given by author Peal S. Buck, who said: "'This is a lucky ship built by great hands and named for a great soul. I am sure that this ship, too, has a great soul and that it will ride all storms as Gallaudet did'" (Gannon 224). After, the ship was returned to the U.S., it was in the naval reserve until it eventually became a cargo ship, sailing as a Liberian and Greek ship until it eventually sank in 1969. This ship's strength and perseverance mirrored that of its namesake: the man who saw the potential for education and fulfillment of the Deaf long before anyone else did. His determination is what led to the multitude of education, opportunity, and flourishing of Deaf individuals in America.

Source:

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1774622/pages/module-2-%7C-materials?module_item_id=75564801

1912: Girl Scouts was founded

2025-06-05 03:25:39 UTC

Juliette "Daisy" Low founded Girl Scouts in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia. Originally called the Girl Guides of America, Low wanted to create a new organization led by girl troops within the U.S. During this time, women in the U.S. didn't have votings rights and were expected to obey strict, social norms. After talking to Robert Baden-Powell who founded Boy Scouts, Low was inspired to recruit her members for her troop---the first gathering consisted of 18 girls to encourage them to embrace their unique strengths, develop leadership skills and to advocate for themselves and others. They learned skills such as map reading, first aid, cooking, knot tying, and played basketball.

“About Early Girl Scouting | Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace.” Www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org, www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org/en/explore/history/about-early-girl-scouting.html.

“Girl Scout History | Girl Scouts.” Www.girlscouts.org, www.girlscouts.org/en/discover/about-us/history.html.

1942: Death of Rosa Ohs, a Deaf Jewish Woman

2025-06-05 03:49:17 UTC

Rosa Ohs was a Jewish woman who became deaf at the age of 17 after coming down with scarlet fever. Rosa had a daughter and son-in-law who were able to escape the holocaust, fleeing to the United States. Unfortunately, they were not able to get a visa for Rosa, and she would be deported to Theresienstadt, where she would later be transferred to another holocaust camp. She passed away at that camp on October 15, 1942.

Source:

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). Photograph of a Jewish Deaf woman in Berlin during Kristallnacht. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/pa1184220

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1940s: Deaf Amercians Work at Goodyear and Firestone During WWII

2025-06-05 04:03:03 UTC

During WWII, around one thousand Deaf Americans worked for tire companies Goodyear and Firestone. They helped the war time effort with their competency in manufacturing. Ben Schowe Sr. a labor economics researcher was a major advocate for the hiring of Deaf people, leading to their recruitment to the tire companies.

Kannapell, B. M. (n.d.). The Forgotten Americans: Deaf War Plant Workers During World War II. https://www.rit.edu/deafww2/sites/rit.edu.deafww2/files/documents/other/TheForgottenAmericansPDF.pdf

Marcos Martinez

Agatha Tiegel Hanson – A Pioneer Still Leading by Example

2025-06-05 13:26:33 UTC

Although Agatha Tiegel Hanson graduated from Gallaudet in 1893, her influence continued into the 1930s as she remained a powerful role model for Deaf women across the country. As the first Deaf woman to graduate with a full degree from Gallaudet, Hanson broke barriers in higher education and gender expectations. In the 1930s, she continued writing and mentoring, encouraging Deaf women to seek leadership roles in schools, clubs, and the workforce. Her founding of the O.W.L.S. (Organization of Women’s Literary Society) lived on through the writing and activism of the next generation of Deaf women.

APA Citation:
Gannon, J. R. (1981). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. National Association of the Deaf.

Deaf Women in the Workforce During the Depression

2025-06-05 13:29:36 UTC

In the 1930s, Deaf women faced double discrimination—both as women and as Deaf individuals—yet they persisted in forging professional lives. Many worked as teachers, housemothers, seamstresses, and domestic workers. Vocational programs taught them skills like sewing and clerical work, which they used to support themselves and their communities. Deaf women also took leadership in club auxiliaries and school programs, organizing events and acting as role models for younger generations. Their resilience during economic hardship helped sustain Deaf culture.

APA Citation:
Van Cleve, J. V., & Crouch, B. A. (1989). A place of their own: Creating the Deaf community in America. Gallaudet University Press.

1941: Deaf Hawaiians Witness Pearl Harbor

2025-06-05 15:43:44 UTC

On December 7, 1941, students at the Diamond Head School for the Deaf in Honolulu were among the first Deaf Americans to experience the attack on Pearl Harbor. That morning, vibrations from Japanese bombs were initially mistaken by students as roughhousing until explosions rocked the dormitory just two blocks away. Deaf teacher Alden Ravn and school staff quickly responded, transforming school buildings into makeshift bomb shelters and preparing for possible invasion. The students endured blackouts, rationing, and fear, but also displayed incredible resilience.

This moment became a vivid reminder that Deaf Americans were present during defining national events not just as observers, but as active members of their communities.

APA Citation:
Gannon, J. R. (2011). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America (pp. 219–220). Gallaudet University Press.

1940: The Push for a Federal Bureau for the Deaf

2025-06-05 15:49:31 UTC

In the early 1940s, Deaf leaders lobbied for the creation of a Bureau for the Deaf within the U.S. Department of Labor. This proposed bureau would have tracked employment trends, created job opportunities, and promoted the abilities of Deaf workers across the country. Advocates like Paul A. Strachan, a politically savvy (and newly Deaf) organizer, pushed for the NAD to take bolder action in Washington. However, disagreements over whether to align with broader disability groups or maintain Deaf-specific advocacy caused internal friction. Despite promising momentum, the bill was ultimately rejected which highlighted both the possibilities and limitations of Deaf political influence in the 1940s.

APA Citation:
Buchanan, R. M. (1999). Illusions of equality: Deaf Americans in school and factory, 1850–1950 (pp. 102–107). Gallaudet University Press.

1920 - NAD passed a resolution that stated anywho who tried to deprive the deaf of sign language was an enemy of their interest and happiness.

2025-06-05 16:21:26 UTC

With the "oral method" on the rise during this time period, this resolution advocated for the use of sign language within the Deaf community. This also helped encourage to protest the actions of doctors who were giving false claims about restoring hearing, instead of spreading positive advice on deaf education.

“NAD - National Association of the Deaf.” Nad.org, 2024, www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/#1920s.

1937 - NAD advocated for "deaf" and "hard of hearing" terms

2025-06-05 17:00:43 UTC

The National Association of the Deaf began criticizing the terms such as "deaf-mute," "mute," "deaf-dumb," "semi-mute," and "deafened" since it often implied that the individual is lacking intellectual capacity. These new terms are more inclusive and respectful for individuals in the Deaf community. This shift in terminology began the start to changing the Deaf community's negative stereotypes and helped towards improving public awareness.

National Association of the Deaf. “National Association of the Deaf - NAD.” Nad.org, 2019, www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/.

Christine Arzanan

1940s: The Legacy of Earl Roberts and the Gallaudet Five Iron Men

2025-06-05 17:04:15 UTC

Earl Roberts was one of the legendary "Five Iron Men" of Gallaudet University during the early 1940s. At a time when Deaf people were excluded from military service in World War II, Roberts and his teammates uplifted the Deaf community by achieving national recognition for their athletic excellence. Their success on the basketball court became a symbol of Deaf strength, pride, and unity.

While mainstream society underestimated the Deaf community, the Five Iron Men proved their capabilities not just in sports but in representing a thriving Deaf identity. Their victories provided a counter-narrative to the exclusion and discrimination Deaf people faced during this time.

APA Citation:

The story of Earl Roberts and the Five Iron Men became a point of pride and inspiration for the Deaf community during the 1940s (Gannon, 1981).

Gannon, J.R. (1981). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. National Association of the Deaf.

1943 - The John Tracy Clinic for the Deaf (JTC) opened in Los Angeles

2025-06-05 17:56:17 UTC

Louise Treadwell Tracy had a deaf son named John and experienced first-hand of the limited services, technology, and education that were available for children like John. Years later, Louise received desperate calls from 12 mothers with young deaf children that were asking for help. At the time, JTC was the first place to provide services to educate and offer support for parents of children with hearing loss. It is a private non-profit provider of audiology, early intervention and education services for children between ages birth-5 years old.

“Our Story - John Tracy Center.” John Tracy Center, 11 Oct. 2021, www.jtc.org/about/our-story/.https://www.timetoast.com/users/905820.

“Timetoast.” Timetoast Timelines, Timetoast, 1900, www.timetoast.com/timelines/deaf-history-from-1900-1949.

1954 - First African American to graduate from Gallaudet College

2025-06-05 21:15:38 UTC

Andrew Foster graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in only three years after experiencing racism and bullying on campus. He went on to opening 32 schools for Deaf children in countries throughout 13 African nations and may be known as "father of deaf education in Africa" and also two centers for the Deaf in Africa.

Gallaudet University. (2014, May). Visionary Leader - May 2014, Andrew Foster. Gallaudet University. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/celebrating-150-years/visionary-leader-may-2014-andrew-foster/

‌

1950: Deaf Peddlers Emerge

emreerae17 — 2025-06-05 23:49:26 UTC

During the 1950s Deaf peddlers became increasingly popular (Gannon, 2011). Peddlers were seen as poor, lower class individuals seeking money in conniving ways. In the 1950s, Deaf people were not seen as the ideal employee; in fact they were often discriminated against when it came to the workplace (Gannon, 2011). This caused an overflow of Deaf peddlers. However, many members of the Deaf community felt annoyed by this phenomenon (Gannon, 2011). Often times hearing people would act as though they were Deaf to con others out of money (Gannon, 2011). The Deaf community had negative feelings towards this because it gave hearing people the idea that Deaf people were to be pitied and in need of charity (Gannon, 2011).

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

1948: An article, "World's Safest Drivers", was shown in the Ford Times helping demonstrate Deaf capability.

mcclessr — 2025-06-06 00:12:55 UTC

As it is common knowledge, the car industry had a great expansion in the United States with many innovative names, such as Ford. As the industry grew, more and more people were driving motor vehicles, including Deaf people. This sparked some controversy, if Deaf people should be allowed to drive vehicles given they cannot hear. This was a concern as many believed that the absence of hearing would result in more dangerous conditions. However, this could not be more far from the truth, as due to their inability to hear, Deaf people must concentrate more on the road than hearing drivers. This focus ultimately results in safer driving, contrary to what others may have thought. Additionally, Deaf people can not be distracted by things such as music or children yelling. The Ford Times progresses this belief, helping highlight the capability of Deaf people in driving motor vehicles (Deaf driving on the road, n.d.). This served as a boost for the community, to show that they are able to complete day-to-day activites just like anyone else.

Deaf driving on the road. (n.d.). HandSpeak. https://www.handspeak.com/learn/280/

1940: Helmer Myklebust publishes The Psychology of Deafness

2025-06-06 18:29:43 UTC

In this book written by Helmer Myklebust it is studied information regarding different information that was known at that time about being deaf, different ways that people had become deaf, comparisons of hearing and deaf children, the nature and extent of deafness, speech and writing, as well and speechreading.

Grune and Stratton. (1960, January 1). Psychology of deafness : Helmer R. myklebust : Free download, Borrow, and streaming. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/psychologyofdeaf00helm/page/n13/mode/2up

1943 - 5 Ironmen - won pennant - only 5 players

2025-06-06 18:42:51 UTC

With no alternates, this team won 3 straight playoff games. No one excepted them to win one regular season game. the successor the team shows an amazing story of courage, teamwork and overcoming adversity to be a story of inspiration for many basketball teams over the decades.

Home. United States of America Deaf Basketball. (n.d.). https://usadb.us/hoops/youth/iron-five-classic/

1957: "Operation Lipread"

emreerae17 — 2025-06-06 22:46:20 UTC

In 1957 a piece in Life magazine came out quoting a conversation the Queen of England had (Gannon, 2011). At the time this was peculiar because news reporters were not typically allowed close enough to the Royal family to receive this kind of information. However, an editor from Life magazine had reached out to a Deaf professor at Gallaudet college, Robert Panara (Gannon, 2011). The editor had asked if it was possible to lipread full conversations, Robert confirmed that if he was able to see the lips at all times then he could (Gannon, 2011). Therefore the men decided to try this theory out. They met up in loud crowded places to run trials and see if lipreading was possible in a busy scenario. When the Queen came to town for the Maryland football game, the pair were all set up with binoculars and a tape recorder to lipread the Queens conversations (Gannon, 2011). In the end the operation proved successful.

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Gallaudet University Press.

1957: William Stokoe's Research

2025-06-07 16:30:31 UTC

William Stokoe is known as the father of American Sign Language. He was an English professor who attended Gallaudet University in 1955 to teach Deaf students (West, 2020). There, he observed the use of sign language and became fascinated. He was impressed and wondered why ASL was not taught to Deaf students. He began researching the linguistics of what is now known as American Sign Language. He received his first NSF grant to study ASL in 1960. He used this to study the structure and form of the language. Stokoe published Grammar of Sign Language in 1960. Then in 1965, he published A Dictionary of American Sign Language, which described the signs based on placement, handshape, and movement of signs (Gallaudet University, n.d.). He was criticized heavily for his research, but nevertheless, he persevered. He proved that American Sign Language was a language and revolutionized deaf education in the United States (Chamot, 2003). He paved the way for reforms and changed the education system.

Chamot, J. (2003, June 25). American Sign Language Spoken Here. NSF - National Science Foundation. https://www.nsf.gov/news/american-sign-language-spoken-here

‌Gallaudet University. (n.d.). American Sign Language, a language recognized. Gallaudet University. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/exhibits/history-through-deaf-eyes/awareness-access-and-change/american-sign-language-a-language-recognized/

West, E. (2020, January 30). William Stokoe – American Sign Language scholar. British Deaf News. https://www.britishdeafnews.co.uk/william-stokoe/

‌

1953: The Bill Rice Ranch is established

2025-06-07 18:29:26 UTC

In 1950, Bill Rice (and Evangelist) purchased an abandoned property just outside of Murfreesboro, Tennessee with the goal of starting a ranch for deaf children. In 1953, the ranch was officially established and Bill and his wife Cathy started the Cumberwood Camp. Their daughter had been born Deaf, altough there is no actualy talk of her or her name on their official website so...who knows how much of this was actually done for her. 1953 marks the first year of the camp for the Deaf youth where twelve children attended that first summer. The goal, however, was to bring "God's Salvation" to Deaf people across the country as they were apparently "unreached by God's love". While they did invite Deaf people free of charge, in later years this changed. This marks the ungoing and continuous misguided stance that hearing people have, that the Deaf are in need of saving.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Deaf Timelines. Retrieved on June 7, 2025 from https://silentword.org/timelines/

Bill Rice Ranch. (n.d.) The Ranch's History. Retrieved June 7, 2024 from https://billriceranch.org/history/

Bill Rice Ranch. (n.d.) Bill Rice III. Retrieved June 7, 2024 from https://billriceranch.org/bill-rice-iii/

1954: Andrew Foster graduates from Gallaudet University

2025-06-07 18:46:43 UTC

Andrew Foster lost his hearing at the age of 11 from contracting spinal meningitis, a case that his brother ended up contracting as well. In his youth, access to education was limited to due to segregation and resulting him ony attending up to 6th grade. Through taking night courses, he was able to receive his High School Diploma at the age of 26. After multiple rejections, he was officially accepted into Gallaudet 1951 where he went on to be the first black Deaf man to receive a BA. He later earned his two Master's degrees. In 1961 he married his wife Berta after they had met at the Congress for Deaf in Germany 1959. After his graduation, he established the Christian Mission for the Deaf which would oversee the opening of 31 schools for the Deaf all across Africa. His work is celebrated today as being the major reason so many Deaf individuals across the African continent are educated and able to use sign language.

-Isaac Capozza

Silent Word Ministries. (n.d.). Deaf Timelines. Retrieved June 7, 2025 from https://silentword.org/timelines/

Zambia Hunt. (2024). The Missionary Legacy of Andrew Foster - The Father of Deaf Education in Africa. Retrieved June 7, 2025 from https://zambiahunt.com/2024/09/09/the-missionary-legacy-of-andrew-foster-the-father-of-deaf-education-in-africa-2/

Gallaudet University. (2014). Visionary Leader - May 2014, Andrew Foster. Retrieved June 7, 2025 from https://gallaudet.edu/museum/celebrating-150-years/visionary-leader-may-2014-andrew-foster/

1956: BTE - concealed hearing device

2025-06-07 21:12:48 UTC

The Diplomat was Zenith's first behind-the-ear hearing aid and it had four transistors. It was made to sit right against the outter ear. These replaced the eye glasses hearing device. Later this would be upgraded to an in the ear device.

Concealed hearing devices of the 20th Century. (n.d.). https://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/legacy-exhibits/did/20thcent/part6.htm#:~:text=The%20behind%2Dthe%2Dear%20hearing,in%20the%201980s%20and%201990s.

1951: World Federation of the Deaf was created.

2025-06-07 21:22:35 UTC

In September of 1951, delegations form 25 different countries got together in Rome, Italy and created the World Federation of the Deaf. They created this organization due to the barriers that Deaf people faced while trying to achieve full accessibility, equal human rights and the right to participate in political decisions in their lives.

Our story: Advocating deaf rights since 1951. World Federation of the Deaf. (n.d.). https://wfdeaf.org/our-story/

1957: The first Deaf African-American woman graduates from Gallaudet College

jasminerridd — 2025-06-08 21:10:25 UTC

In 1957 Ida Wynette Gray Hampton was the first African-American woman graduates from Gallaudet College! Black women were not allowed to attend Gallaudet until the 1950’s. Ida was a trail blazer for Black Deaf women at Gallaudet— Ida knew she would be vulnerable, there were no legal rights for people with disabilities, for Black people, for women, or voting rights for persons of color. Ida was the first Black member of the Delta Epsilon Sorority. After graduation she move to teach at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. While in Florida she received a master’s degree from the University of North Florida. She retired in 1989 and then in 2011, Ida participated in the National Black Deaf Advocates’ Senior Citizens Reunion, where she shared her experiences overcoming barriers as a Black deaf woman at Gallaudet. In 2018, Gallaudet University honored her with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, which was accepted on her behalf by members of the Black Student Union (WPSD Alumni Association , 2024).

Honor ida (gray) hampton in women’s History Month. WPSD Alumni Association. (2024, March 7). https://www.wpsdalumni.org/2024/03/honor-ida-gray-hampton-in-womens-history-month/

1952 – Extinction of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language

2025-06-08 21:11:00 UTC

Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language was a unique form of sign language that developed naturally on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, due to a high incidence of hereditary deafness. It was used not only by the Deaf but also by many hearing residents, making the island one of the earliest examples of a truly bilingual community in the U.S. However, by the mid-20th century, transportation and communication improved and ASL slowly started to take over. "The last deaf individual from Martha’s Vineyard that knew MVSL, Katie West, passed away, effectively making MVSL an extinct language." (Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, n.d.).

Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (n.d.). Deaf history timeline. Retrieved from https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history

NAME: Reid Bender

Ava Zelinsky Module 7

2025-06-08 23:58:11 UTC

On January 1, 1940, Helmer Myklebust published his book The Psychology of Deafness. In 1942, the John Tracy Clinic for the Deaf was opened in Los Angeles. In 1943, Gallaudet University won the pennant. In 1945, the American Athletic Association of the Deaf was established in Akron, Ohio. Two years later, one of the first Baptist Churches was established, which was also in Akron, Ohio. In 1947, Rhulin Thomas became the first aviator to fly coast to coast.

Timetoast. (n.d.). Deaf history from 1900–1949. Timetoast. https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/deaf-history-from-1900-1949

1958: Captioned Films for the Deaf Program Signed

2025-06-09 00:43:56 UTC

On September 2, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Public Law 58-905, which created the Captioned Films for the Deaf Program. This program gave deaf Americans access to televised and motion entertainment, after it had been made inaccessible in 1927.

Sources:

Norwood, M. J. (1988). Captioning for Deaf people: An historical overview. In J. E. Harkins & B. M. Virvan (Eds.), Speech to Text: Today and Tomorrow (Proceedings of a conference at Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, September 1988). Gallaudet Research Institute. Retrieved June 8, 2025, from https://dcmp.org/learn/80-captioning-for-deaf-people-an-historical-overview

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1956: Meeting on Campus of MSD

2025-06-09 00:53:23 UTC

The meeting known as the Fulton Tontine was viewed as the root of the National Association of the Deaf, where their strength began developing as a national organization. The instructors of the Deaf made Fulton as well as Missouri School for the Deaf the location for their meeting.

Sources:

Missouri School for the Deaf. (n.d.). History. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Retrieved June 8, 2025, from https://msd.dese.mo.gov/about‑us/history#:~:text=The%20National%20Association%20of%20the%20Deaf

By: Ashleigh Benedum

1960 – Recognition of American Sign Language as a True Language

2025-06-09 01:23:53 UTC

William Stokoe introduced American Sign Language (ASL) as a fully developed rule-governed language through his 1960 publication Sign Language Structure. His research fought against oralist beliefs that viewed signed languages as inferior thus starting a linguistic and cultural transformation within the Deaf community. The recognition led to the development of Deaf pride together with advocacy work and educational reform. Through his research Stokoe established a new standard for validating Deaf culture and identity which spread across both national and international levels.

Calvin Souder
Deaf. Studies in Linguistics, Occasional Papers, 8. Dept. of Anthropology and Linguistics, University of Buffalo.

1950s: Early Captioned Films for the Deaf Begin to Open Entertainment Access

devillezmegan — 2025-06-09 02:56:58 UTC

During the 1950s, captioned films for the Deaf started to emerge, allowing Deaf audiences to access mainstream entertainment that had been largely inaccessible. This development was a significant cultural milestone, as it enabled Deaf people to participate more fully in popular culture and media, fostering greater inclusion and community connection. Captioned films symbolized a growing acknowledgment of Deaf people’s right to equal access to information and leisure (Norwood, 1988).

Norwood, M. J. (1988). Captioning for Deaf people: An historical overview. Described and Captioned Media Program. https://dcmp.org/learn/80-captioning-for-deaf-people-an-historical-overview

1950: Captioned Films for the Deaf started by Dr. Edmund B. Boatner

2025-06-09 03:01:39 UTC

^{Meghan Sawyer}

Dr. Boatner, the headmaster of the American School for the Deaf, witnessed Dr. Clarence O'Connor at the Lexington School for the Deaf captioning a movie for his students, inspiring Dr. Boatner to start the non-profit to provide captioned movies for Deaf students. With the help of a volunteer, J. Pierre Rakow, they discovered "the superimposed method used to caption foreign films [was] the most suitable" (Gannon 267). This non-profit eventually gained Congressional support, and in 1958, Captioned Films for the Deaf was signed into law.

Source:

Gannon, J. (2011). Deaf Heritage. Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1774622/pages/module-2-%7C-materials?module_item_id=75564801

1952: Hall of Fame for Deaf Athletes Created

2025-06-09 03:32:07 UTC

The American Athletic Association of the Deaf, who had been making strides for the visibility and respect of Deaf athletes, created their Hall of Fame in order to "honor out standing players, coaches and leaders in years to come." This furthered the organization's goal of advancing athletics for Deaf Americans.

The AAAD-USADB Story. United States of America Deaf Basketball. (n.d.). https://usadb.us/hoops/about-us/history/

Marcos Martinez

1940: Robert H. Weitbrecht - Deaf Inventor & Innovator

2025-06-09 14:46:40 UTC

In the 1940s, Robert H. Weitbrecht, a brilliant Deaf scientist and engineer, began making important contributions to the field of communication. Although his most famous invention was the TTY (teletypewriter) for the Deaf. It wasn't fully developed until the 1960s, his early work in radio & electronics during the 1940s helped to lay his foundation.

Weitbrecht was one of the first Deaf individuals to receive a U.S. patent for a major communication device that directly improved accessibility for the Deaf community.

Gannon, J.R. (1981). Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. National Association of the Deaf.

1951: Founding of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

2025-06-09 15:31:45 UTC

The World Federation of the Deaf was founded in 1951 in Rome, Italy, marking a major milestone in global Deaf history. It was created to serve as an international, non-governmental organization that represents Deaf people worldwide. The WFD's mission focuses on promoting the human rights of Deaf people, ensuring equal access to education, sign language, employment, and social inclusion.

Over time, the organization expanded its influence through policy advocacy at the United Nations, helping ensure that Deaf people's rights were acknowledged in major international agreements.

World Federation of the Deaf. (n.d.). A History: Founding through 1950s [PDF]. https://wfdeaf.org

1960 - Junior NAD

2025-06-09 21:57:44 UTC

The Junior NAD, a program of the NAD, offers deaf and hard of hearing students in 7th through 12th grade opportunities to develop leadership skills, learn and demonstrate citizenship, and meet and interact with students from other schools and states. Students can participate in the Junior NAD by joining chapters established by their schools. Junior NAD chapters focus on advocacy, attitude, awareness, commitment, cooperation, friendship, information exchange, involvement and leadership skills. Chapters have meetings and participate in many activities such as community events and fundraisers. Skills and values obtained by chapter members during these meetings and events will help them to become future leaders and advocates in the deaf and hard of hearing community (National Association of the Deaf).

National Association of the Deaf. Junior NAD. https://www.nad.org/youth/junior-nad/

Myrakle Johnson

1966 - Miss Deaf America

2025-06-09 22:42:11 UTC

The Miss Deaf America Ambassadorship Program (MDAAP), originally named as Miss Deaf America Program (MDAP), became a reality thanks to two individuals: Douglas J. Burke and Douglas Bahl. In 1966, the National Cultural Program was established, to find hidden talents among deaf people in the visual arts. Based on the phenomenal growth of the state contests within the Cultural Program, Dr. Burke felt there was still something missing. There was one aspect of the arts that had yet to be explored, the world of drama. Dr. Burke created a vision, the need to “recognize deaf actresses at an early age” thus, with the NAD’s blessings, the Miss Deaf America Talent Pageant, was created with support of the National Cultural Program. The program evolved under Bahl’s leadership to become the Miss Deaf America Program. The purpose of the pageant was to recognize excellence in the Deaf community; the winner of the NAD Miss Deaf America title became a role model for deaf and hard of hearing women all over the nation (National Association of Deaf).

National Association of the Deaf. MDAAP history. National Association of the Deaf. https://youth.nad.org/mdaap-history/

Myrakle Johnson

Ava Zelinsky Module 8

2025-06-12 01:52:46 UTC

In 1950, the first behind-the-ear hearing aid was made. In 1954, Andrew Foster was the first African American to graduate from Gallaudet University. Andrew Foster then founded 31 deaf schools and 2 deaf centers in Africa. In 1957, Ida Wynette became the first African American woman to graduate from Gallaudet University. Ida Wynette taught at the Florida School for the Deaf for 32 years.

Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (n.d.). Deaf history. https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history

National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). NAD history: 1950s. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/#1950s

Gallaudet University National Deaf Life Museum. (n.d.). Gallaudet University historical timeline. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://gallaudet.edu/museum/history/gallaudet-university-historical-timeline/

Ava Zelinsky Module 9

2025-06-12 02:16:40 UTC

In 1960, the Junior National Association of the Deaf was established. In 1961, NASA did experiments with deaf Gallaudet graduates ranging between 25 and 45 years old. The experiments were on orientation. Also, William Stokoe published his findings on sign language and said it is a legitimate language. In 1964, Robert Weitbrecht invented the acoustic coupler, which allowed deaf people to communicate over the phone by using a typewriter over the phone. Also, the NAD gave women the right to vote. In 1965, R. Orin Cornett developed a cued speech system at Gallaudet. In 1966, NAD raised funds to allow a deaf couple to adopt.

Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (n.d.). Deaf history. https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history

National Association of the Deaf. (n.d.). NAD history: 1950s. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.nad.org/about-us/nad-history/#1950s

1965 - The Publication of A Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles

dullmm1 — 2025-06-13 02:08:36 UTC

Module 9 - Margaret Dull

The 1965 publication of A Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles by William Stokoe, Dorothy Casterline, and Carl Croneberg marked the first time ASL was scientifically recognized as a complete language. This breakthrough challenged the dominance of oralism in Deaf education and sparked a shift in cultural pride and Deaf identity. As Deaf Heritage explains, this research laid the groundwork for broader recognition of ASL and empowered the Deaf community to advocate for bilingual education and linguistic rights (Lane, 1984).

Lane, H. (1984). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf.

Stokoe, W. C., Casterline, D. C., & Croneberg, C. G. (1965). A dictionary of American Sign Language on linguistic principles. Washington, DC: Gallaudet College Press.

1955 - William Stokoe Begins Linguistic Research at Gallaudet College

dullmm1 — 2025-06-13 02:15:30 UTC

Margaret Dull - Module 8

In 1955, William Stokoe was hired by Gallaudet College to teach English, but soon after, he began researching American Sign Language, challenging the assumption that ASL was not a true language. His early work in this period, supported by the college’s administration, laid the foundation for the eventual publication of the first ASL dictionary. As noted in Deaf Heritage, this research marked a quiet but revolutionary turning point that questioned oralist ideology and began a movement toward linguistic recognition and cultural pride in the Deaf community (Lane, 1984).

Lane, H. (1984). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf.

Andrew Foster Opens the First School for the Deaf in Africa (1957)

jazminlawson18 — 2025-06-13 13:45:37 UTC

In 1957, Andrew Foster, a trailblazing figure in both Deaf and Black history founded the first school for the Deaf in Accra, Ghana. This milestone marked the beginning of an extraordinary career dedicated to expanding Deaf education throughout Africa. Foster, who became the first Black Deaf graduate of Gallaudet University in 1954, later earned a master’s degree in education and became a missionary educator.

Over the course of his life, Foster established 32 schools for the Deaf in 13 African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Chad. He believed that Deaf children, regardless of race or location, deserved access to education and signed language. His efforts not only spread Deaf education but also introduced American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture to new parts of the world. Today, Foster is often referred to as the “Father of Deaf Education in Africa.”

Foster's work also challenged intersectional barriers of race, language, ability, and colonialism making him a uniquely impactful figure in global Deaf history.

Reference:
Gannon, J. R. (1981). Deaf heritage: A narrative history of Deaf America. National Association of the Deaf.

Dr. Ciwa Griffiths Pioneers Infant Hearing Aid Use (1954)

jazminlawson18 — 2025-06-13 13:48:47 UTC

In 1954, Dr. Ciwa Griffiths made a groundbreaking contribution to audiology and early childhood development by fitting infants as young as one month old with bilateral hearing aids. At a time when many professionals believed children could not be accurately tested or fitted until age five or older, Griffiths challenged this assumption through rigorous testing, observation, and parental collaboration.

Griffiths demonstrated that early auditory stimulation was critical to speech and language development. Her work emphasized the importance of identifying hearing loss during infancy, decades before universal newborn hearing screening programs became the standard of care in the United States.

By proving that hearing loss could be diagnosed and treated in infants, Griffiths helped transform the field of pediatric audiology. Her research laid the foundation for early intervention programs that are now recognized as essential to helping Deaf and hard-of-hearing children reach developmental milestones.

Her advocacy for testing and amplifying infants' hearing capacity influenced public health policies and educational practices, helping to bridge the gap between early diagnosis and accessible language acquisition.

Reference:
Griffiths, C. (2002). Early identification of hearing loss: The Griffiths approach. The Volta Review, 102(5), 25–35.

1956: The National Congress of Jewish Deaf was established

mcclessr — 2025-06-13 21:14:19 UTC

In New York City, Jewish and Deaf leaders got together to create a new type of assembly. In 1956, the National Congress of Jewish Deaf was born. One of the core values of JDC is to embrace signing in the Deaf community. While this ideal is still important today, it was controversial back in the 1950s where oralism was still being taught. This organization allowed for those who are Deaf and Jewish to come together to celebrate their culture. The formation made the existence of Jewish Deaf individuals more profound and gave security to those who identify with the group.

Jewish Deaf Congress About Us. (n.d.). Jewish Deaf Congress. https://jewishdeafcongress.org/about-jdc/#

1905: Luther H. Taylor plays for the New York Giants

2025-06-23 00:28:37 UTC

In 1905, Deaf baseball player Luther H. Taylor played for the New York Giants, who won the World Series that year. Taylor communicated with "other players on the field through sign language," (Dummy Taylor) and through this he helped to increase the use of signs in baseball. He was a fan favorite, especially for the Deaf community, because he represented his community in the major leagues. Taylor proved that Deaf individuals were capable of success, which defied mainstream assumptions at the time about the athletic abilities of Deaf people.

Dummy Taylor: Former Deaf Mute New York Giants Pioneer (1900-1908). (2023). Centerfieldmaz. http://www.centerfieldmaz.com/2020/02/dummy-taylor-former-deaf-mute-new-york.html

1919: Illinois School for the Deaf starts a scout troop for girls

2025-06-23 00:40:37 UTC

In 1919, the Illinois School for the Deaf was the "first to start a scout troop for girls" (Camp). This troop became a blueprint for other Deaf schools across the country, as more Deaf schools followed to create their own Boy and Girl Scout groups. The formation of this group is foundational in Deaf youth empowerment because it marks one of the earliest examples of intersectional inclusion within a national youth organization.

Camp, T. (2018). Deaf Timelines - History & Heritage. Silent Word Ministries. https://silentword.org/timelines/

1922: Rolf Harmsen runs 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds

2025-06-23 23:45:07 UTC

In 1922, Rolf Harmsen became the "first Deaf athlete to run the 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds" (Hall of Fame). This time almost became the world-record, and he was extremely close to beating an Olympic runner. Harmsen's athletic feat challenged the idea that Deafness was a barrier to physical excellence, because during this time period many people believed that Deaf people had communication or coordination issues that made them unfit for competitive sports. This accomplishment became a point of pride for the Deaf community because it offered a narrative of Deaf excellence during an era dominated by oralist ideologies.

Hall of Fame: Rolf Harmsen. (n.d.). Galladeut University Athletics. https://gallaudetbison.com/honors/hall-of-fame/rolf-harmsen/50#:~:text=OFFICIAL%20ATHLETICS%20SITE%20OF%20THE%20GALLAUDET%20UNIVERSITY%20BISON,Olympic%20runner%2C%20but%20lost%20due%20to%20strong%20winds.

1935: Death of Douglas Tilden

2025-06-24 00:11:28 UTC

Douglas Tilden was a Deaf sculptor and artist who died in 1935. He created many statues and sculptures that often "depicted dynamic, lifelike figures, capturing the essence of movement and emotion" (The Life). Tilden's success in the art world paved the way for future generations of Deaf artists, and he defied stereotypes associated with Deafness by becoming a symbol of talent and perseverance in the community. His works are still celebrated as artistic landmarks and many can be found in public spaces, which serve as reminders of his example of what Deaf people can achieve despite the existing social barriers.

The Life of Douglas Tilden. (2023). Deaf Websites. https://deafwebsites.com/people/famous-deaf-people/the-life-of-douglas-tilden/

1947: One of the first known Deaf interpreted Church services

2025-06-24 00:32:44 UTC

In 1947 at a Baptist Church in Ohio, "one of the first known Deaf interpreted Church services" (Camp) took place. Previously, Deaf individuals were largely excluded from religious services due to the lack of sign language interpretation. The interpreted services at this church marked a significant shift that now allowed Deaf people to have access to sermons, worship, and fellowship in their own language, which was a key moment in recognizing their religious rights. Additionally, the inclusion of sign language in church settings further validated the use of ASL as a legitimate language, which helped to affirm Deaf identity and linguistic culture.

Camp, T. (2018). Deaf Timelines - History & Heritage. Silent Word Ministries. https://silentword.org/timelines/.

1958: September becomes National Deaf Awareness Month

2025-06-24 00:48:06 UTC

In 1958, the World Federation of the Deaf established International Week of the Deaf in September, which would eventually be increased to cover the month and become National Deaf Awareness Month. The goal was to have a celebration that promoted "the human rights of the deaf community globally" (InnoCaption). This celebration is important for highlighting achievements of Deaf individuals, addressing important issues within the community, and much more. Deaf Awareness Month has been impactful in encouraging acceptance and inclusion, increasing society's understanding of Deaf culture and sign language, and motivating individuals and organizations to improve resources for the Deaf.

InnoCaption App. (2024). The History of Deaf Awareness Month. InnoCaption. https://www.innocaption.com/recentnews/history-of-deaf-awareness-month