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First American School for the Deaf is opened
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc join forces to open the first school designated for the education of individuals who were deaf. In doing so, the first version of American Sign Language becomes created. -
Gallaudet University is opened!
Gallaudet University becomes the first higher education facility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It remains the only liberal arts university specifically for those in the D&HH community today. -
First national convention for Deaf-Mutes
Held in Cincinnati, OH this event was put on by what would become the National Association of the Deaf to discuss prevalent issues within the community. -
Organization formally becomes the National Association of the Deaf
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William House creates first cochlear implant devices
He would go on to create many models, but his first devices were seen in the early 1960s. -
William Stokoe finishes ASL dictionary
Stokoe was a professor of linguistics at Gallaudet and made many other great advancements for the D&HH community! -
1973 Rehabilitation Act passes
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, receiving Federal financial assistance, or in federal employment -
3m/House Cochlear Implant approved by FDA
This device was a single channel speech processor used with the implant. This was created by William House. -
ADA became law!
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and ensures that people with disabilities, including those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, have the same opportunities as everyone else. -
Telecommunications Act of 1996
Section 255 of the Communications Act requires telecommunications products and services to be accessible to people with disabilities. -
States begin passing legislation regarding hearing screenings for newborns
legislation begins to shift from screening those just at risk to all newborns -
ESPrit 3G speech processor introduced
It was the first speech processor with a telecoil built-in to the device, making phone use more accessible. Fitting, since mobile phones were becoming more and more popular! -
IDEA Improvement Act passes
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 mandates equity, accountability and excellence in education for children with disabilities. (IDEA, 2004) https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ -
Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act is signed
This act furthers the 1996 Telecommunications Act by increasing accessibility to individuals with disabilities. Some key features include:
-it applies the hearing aid compatibility mandates to equipment used with communications services
-it requires video programming that is closed captioned on TV to be closed captioned when distributed on the Internet & on devices such as laptops and smartphones.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/21st-century-communications-and-video-accessibility-act-cvaa -
70th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on the prevention of deafness and hearing loss
This resolution focused on the integration of strategies for ear and hearing care within the framework of their primary health care systems. WHO also agreed to undertake more actions for promotion of ear and hearing care at global level! -
President Joe Biden mandates that an ASL translator will be present at all press briefings
This is the first time in White House history that an ASL translator will be at every briefing.
