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Martha's Vineyard (Deaf Utopia)
Jonathan Lambert was the first of many settlers who carried a gene for deafness. The isolated island off the Massachusetts coast was residence to a large number of individuals who were deaf. Because of this, the residents developed a sign language, Martha's Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL), which played a role in the later development of American Sign Language (ASL) when residents from the vineyard attended the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. -
The American School for the Deaf (ASD)
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet established the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. ASD was the first institution of its type in North America, and is the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the United States. (https://www.biography.com/people/thomas-gallaudet-9305354) -
St. Mary's School for the Deaf
A society known as the "LeCouteulx St. Mary's Benevolent Society for the Deaf and Dumb" was established. Later in 1859, instruction for the deaf began with "four girls and a few boys". The school name was legally changed to St. Mary's School for the Deaf in 1936. (http://www.smsdk12.org/category/History/14.html) -
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
The nation's premier civil rights organization for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America was established. The NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, congregate on issues important to them, and have its interests represented at the national level. Those beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. (https://www.nad.org/about-us/) -
Helen Keller
Helen Keller lost both her sight and hearing at just 19 moths old when she was stricken by an illness called "brain fever". She overcame her adversity to become one of the 20th century's leading humanitarians, and in 1920, helped found the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). In 1962, the movie 'The Miracle Worker' released, which told the story of Helen Keller learning how to communicate by her teacher Anne Sullivan. (https://www.biography.com/people/helen-keller-9361967) -
"Cure" for Deafness
Vibration was particularly used to treat cases of dry middle ear catarrh (buildup of calcium in small bones in ear) by supplying small amounts of current to break up the calcium and restore sound waves. (https://jaivirdi.com/2014/03/03/10-extreme-19th-century-cures-for-deafness/) -
TTY
A deaf scientist named Robert Weitbrecht developed a teletypewriter, which enabled deaf and hard of hearing people to communicate through phone with each other by a series of typed messages translated onto the phone's display. (https://www.nad.org/resources/technology/telephone-and-relay-services/tty-and-tty-relay-services/) (https://www.verywell.com/robert-weitbrecht-inventor-of-the-tty-1049384) -
American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)
ASDC was founded as a parent-helping-parent organization, and is the oldest national organization founded by and governed by parents of deaf children. Today, ASDC is a national, independent non-profit organization whose purpose is providing support, encouragement, and information to families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing. (www.deafchildren.org) -
Captions
Chef Julia Child taught viewers one of her prized chicken recipes. That was a historic broadcast in where it was the first time that captions were used, allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans access to the audio portion of a television program. (https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/captions-deaf-and-hard-hearing-viewers) -
Cochlear Implants
Rod Saunders was the world's first cochlear implant recipient by Professor Graeme Clark. Data from Rod's implant helped drive the cochlear implant industry. (http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/au/about/company-history) -
Relay Services
Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated that relay services be available nationwide. This service is provided 24/7 and can be accessed by dialing 711. For the first time, deaf and hard of hearing Americans could make a phone call to anyone. (https://www.nad.org/resources/technology/telephone-and-relay-services/tty-and-tty-relay-services/) -
IDEA 2004
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 includes "hearing impairment" and "deafness" as two of the categories under which children with disabilities may be eligible for special education and related service programming. IDEA ensures that children who have hearing loss receive special education during ages 3 to 21 years. http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/hearing-impairments/ https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_if_i_already_have_hearing_loss.html -
Deafness on Television
The first episode of the American drama television series Switched at Birth premiered. The show was the first to feature several actors who were deaf or hard of hearing and entire scenes shot using only American Sign Language (ASL). It made today's generation aware of ASL and the deaf community. The show aired for five seasons, with the final episode airing on April, 11 2017. (https://www.startasl.com/switched-at-birth_html) -
Deafness Eats
Signs Restaurant and Bar opened in Toronto, Ontario. This was Canada's first restaurant staffed almost entirely by deaf servers, and all the employees knew sign language. Customers were asked to give their orders using ASL, with the help of photographs on the walls illustrating the ASL alphabet. This helped diners develop a deeper appreciation for the challenges the deaf community face every day. Unfortunately, the owner Anjan Manik ran out of funds to run the restaurant, which closed Dec 12.
