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355
Aristotle's Beliefs
In 355 B.C., Aristotle stated that Deaf people were not educated. Without hearing, people could not learn. Those born deaf become senseless and incapable of reason -
427
Plato's Beliefs
In 427 B.C., Plato stated that without speech, there was no outward sign of intelligence, so Deaf people must not be capable of ideas or language -
Martha's Vineyard
In Martha's Vineyard, the birth rate for deaf children was 1 out of 155. The average deaf birth rate is 1 out of 1,000. -
Jonathan Lambert
Jonathan Lambert, a deaf man, was one of the first residents of Martha's Vineyard. -
First social and religious association for the deaf is founded
Abbe de L'Epee founded the first social and religious association for the deaf. -
First School for the Deaf in England is Established
Thomas Braidwood opened the first school for the deaf in England. -
National Institute for Deaf-Mutes
Abbe Charles Michel de L'Epee established the first public, free deaf school. -
First School for the Deaf in Italy is Established
Abba Silvestri opened the first school for the deaf in Italy in Rome. -
Laurent Clerc
Laurent Clerc was the first Deaf person to address the Connecticut Legislator. -
"Golden Age of Deaf Education"
American Sign Language flourishes. Approximately 40% of all teachers are Deaf. -
Gallaudet College Opens
Gallaudet College opens in Washington, D.C. -
Abraham Lincoln Signs Charter
President Abraham Lincoln signed the charter supporting the establisment of a deaf college in Washington, D.C. -
Oral Method was prominent in schools
Two of the largest deaf schools in America began educating the deaf using only oral methods. -
Alexander Graham Bell's Institution in Boston
Alexander Graham Bell started an institution in Boston to train teachers of deaf people to use oral education. -
The Milan Conference
The International Congress on the Education of the Deaf met in Milan, Italy to discuss the dispute of sign language vs. spoken language. -
Women Admitted to Gallaudet
Women are admitted to the National Deaf-Mute College (now Gallaudet). -
Manual Method Declines
Seventy-five percent of teachers using the manual method have retired by 1890. -
"Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf"
Alexander Graham Bell founded the organization “Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf.” -
First Electric Hearing Aid Invented
The first electric hearing aid was invented. It was several pounds and was not easy to use. -
First Grand Slam
American League gets its first grand slam thanks to William “Dummy” Hoy, a deaf player. -
Umpire Hand Signals are Developed
Umpire hand signals are developed so that Hoy can see a strike call from the outfield. -
Oralism
Almost all deaf education programs used the oralism method. -
Deaf are Allowed to Enter WWII
Deaf men and women are hired in record numbers to work in defense industries after not being allowed to. -
William Stokoe's Dissertation
William Stokoe published a dissertation that proved ASL is a genuine language with a unique syntax and grammar. -
Babbidge Report
Babbidge Report was issued by Congress on the oral education of the deaf. It stated that oralism is a “dismal failure”. -
Bilingual Education Act is Passed
Bilingual Education Act (P.L. 89-10) is passed. ASL is not included because it is not recognized as a language. -
Total Communication
Total Communication was formed- a teaching method that did not fully support either sign language or oralism. It attempted to bring together several educational methods and form a new philosophy for deaf education. -
Marlee Matlin wins Academy Award
Marlee Matlin won an Academy Award for her role in Children of a Lesser God. -
"Deaf President Now" Movement
Students at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C, protested to have a deaf university president. -
Heather Whitestone is crowned Miss America
Heather Whitestone became the first deaf woman to be named Miss America.
