Dia dhuit, lovely people! (translated: Hello or literally, God to you in Gaelic) Come in and sit down to have cuppa and biscuits with me! Lemme regale you with stories about the Deaf people’s language, history and culture. The History of Irish Sign Language According to Wikipedia, the origins of. . . + Read More
History
Deaf people have a very rich cultural history. Through out the years, Deaf people have been journeyed from being silenced to overcoming oppression. Read these blogs while you are completing your lessons to better understand Deaf history and perspective.
The Legacy of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language
A village sign language once widely used on Martha’s Vineyard island from the early 1800s until 1952, Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL) was utilized by both Deaf and hearing community members, so Deafness was not a barrier to public engagement.. . . + Read More
The History of Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University, founded in 1864, was the world’s first higher education institution designed specifically to serve deaf and hard of hearing students. . . . + Read More
Deaf Education: Oral vs Manual
Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell was a teacher at a deaf school in Boston? He was fluent in American Sign Language. His philosophy for the Deaf was advocating oralism. Bell took part in many historic events that nearly caused American Sign Language (ASL) to become extinct. Edward Miner. . . + Read More
History of Technology for Deaf People
Before the 20th century, technology to help Deaf people was very rare. Often, they were very expensive or unavailable. Most of the time, Deaf people didn’t know about their existence. They often missed out on information around them, so they had to find ways to overcome obstacles to live their. . . + Read More
The ‘Deaf President Now’ Movement
36 years ago, the ‘Deaf President Now’ movement ignited a revolution. What began as a fight for the first Deaf president at Gallaudet University blossomed into an international conversation about representation. Deaf President Now paved the way for future generations to embrace their Deafness with pride. Even decades later, the. . . + Read More
Who was Andrew Foster?
Andrew Foster was a remarkable pioneer, who overcame both racial discrimination and societal limitations of deafness to become one of the most influential educators in African history. Born in 1925 in Ensley, Alabama, Foster lost his hearing at age 11 due to spinal meningitis. Despite facing the harsh realities of. . . + Read More
Deaf Football Player Derrick Coleman
Derrick Coleman is an inspiring figure in NFL history, known not only for his skills on the field but also for being a trailblazer as one of the first Deaf offensive players in the league’s history and the first Deaf football player to win a Super Bowl. Early Life and. . . + Read More
Deaf Football Players in the NFL
There have been a few notable deaf football players in NFL history who have broken barriers and inspired many with their determination and skill. Here’s a brief overview of some prominent players: 1. Larry Brown Background Larry Brown, who was deaf in one ear, played his entire career with the. . . + Read More
Miss Deaf America Heather Whitestone
Heather Whitestone is an inspiring individual who overcame significant challenges in her life to become the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss America in 1995. Her triumph in the pageant brought widespread attention not only to her personal achievements but also to the potential of people with disabilities. Here’s. . . + Read More