Dhh word art

History of Deaf Education

By jzimmel

  • Martha’s Vineyard

    Martha’s Vineyard had a very high population of Deaf individuals so all residents (DHH and hearing individuals) devloped and learned Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language. Martha's Vineyard became one of the first communicties of Deaf individuals that reduced communication barriers with the use of signed language. (Groce, 2016)

  • First School for the Deaf in America

    First School for the Deaf in America
    Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for the Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons became the first permanent school for deaf Americans. For more information: https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/issues/asylum-deaf-dumb/#:~:text=The%20Connecticut%20Asylum%20for%20the,1817%2C%20in%20Hartford%2C%20Connecticut.&text=They%20convinced%20a%20group%20of,there%20were%20in%20their%20communities. (Asylum for the deaf and dumb, 2017)

  • Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind

    Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind
    Institution for educating deaf and blind children, first established in 1839 by an act of the Virginia General Assembly. (The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, 2022)

  • Gallaudet University founded

    Gallaudet University founded
    Gallaudet University was founded as the first Deaf university in the US. Originally a grammar school for both deaf and blind children and later became the first school for the advanced education of the deaf and hard of hearing. (History and traditions Gallaudet University, 2021)

  • Nebraska School for the Deaf

    A Deaf man named William DeCoursey French founded the Nebraska School for the Deaf in Omaha. (Fletcher, 2021)

  • Oralist School Founded by Alexander Graham Bell

    Alexander Graham Bell widely promoted oralism (the belief that deaf individuals should be taught speech and lip-reading over sign language). He opened his own private school for the Deaf in Boston that promoted the use of oralism for DHH sudents. For more info: https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/issues/alexander-graham-bell-role-oral-education/#:~:text=The%20younger%20Bell%20was%20successful,teach%20articulation%20to%20deaf%20people. (Greenwald, 2017)

  • Milan Conference

    Deaf educators from around the world gathered to discuss oral versus manual education. The conferance resulted in the congress endorsement of oralism and banned the use of sign language in schools. (Carew, 2020)

  • National Association of the Deaf Founded

    The NAD was established to defend Deaf culture, support the right to use sign language and promote clivil rights of deaf individuals in the United States. (Flynn, 2017)

  • First behind the ear hearing aid

    First behind the ear hearing aid
    Zenith Diplomat Behind-the-Ear hearing aid is considered to be the first true BTE hearing aid that fit completly behind the ear with no body worn peice. (Staab, 2017)

  • American Sign Language Established as an Official Language

    American Sign Language Established as an Official Language
    ASL was established as an official language in 1960 when William Stoke, a professor at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. published a dissertation that proved its credibility as an independant language. (Chamot, 2003)

  • Teletypewriter (TTY) Invented

    Teletypewriter (TTY) Invented
    TTY invented by Robert Weitbrecht. This device allowed dhh indivduals to communicate through sending typed messages. (TELEPHONES AND TTYS; Gualladet University, 2021)

  • First Cochlear Implant

    The first single channel cochlear implant was introduced in 1972. Between 1972 and 1980 thousands of people were impanted, including adults and children. For more info: https://www.asha.org/policy/tr2004-00041/ (Fretz and Fravel, 1985)

  • Rehabilitation Act

    Rehabilitation Act of 1973 forbids public and private entities that receive financial assistance from any federal department from excluding individuals with disabilities. (Laws impacting students who are deaf or hard of hearing, 2015)

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
    IDEA provides free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities. (Individuals with disabilities education act, 2022)

  • Deaf President Now at Gallaudet

    Deaf President Now at Gallaudet
    A student-led protest demanding that a Deaf person run Gallaudet (the world's only university for DHH students). The protest was seen around the world and was a coming together of the Deaf community around the world. (The issues; Gallaudet University, 2021)

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. (What is the Americans with disabilities act, 2022)

  • Hawaii becomes the first state to mandate new born hearing screenings

    Hawaii becomes the first state to mandate new born hearing screenings
    Hawaii and Rhode Island were the first states to have legislative new born hearing screening mandates. Now all 50 states have new born hearing screening programs in place. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 1999)

  • Nebraska School for the Deaf closed

    The school closed due to limited enrollment and increased expenses. (Fletcher, 2021)