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Thomas Gallaudet meets Alice Cogswell
Thomas Gallaudet noticed a little girl wasn't playing with the other kids. He asked why, to learn that she was a Deaf girl named Alice Cogswell. Thomas became determined to find a way to communicate with and educate Deaf people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b1AdV-Y9FU&t=1s -
Gallaudet Travels to England
Gallaudet went to the Braidwood Academy for the Deaf and Dumb to learn how to educate the Deaf. It was established first in Edinburgh, Scotland then moved to England. It is now called Braidwood Trust School for the Deaf in Birmingham. Gallaudet was told he would have to pay a fee to learn methods of teaching Deaf students. He quickly observed students being taught how to speak and decided this didn't seem fitting. -
Gallaudet visits France
Gallaudet next spent some time at the Royal Institute for the Deaf Mute in Paris. They were very welcoming and used sign language. Deaf teacher, Laurent Clerc returned to the United States to help Gallaudet communicate with and educate Deaf people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQGGZaEV6DA -
Gallaudet and Clerc establish the first Deaf school in the US
Clerc taught Gallaudet French Sign Language and Gallaudet taught Clerc written English. They used the home signs Deaf people in the U.S. were already using and French Sign Language to create American Sign Language. The American School for the Deaf is still there today. https://www.asd-1817.org/ -
Gallaudet University
Two acres were donated in Washington D.C. to create the Columbia Institution for the Instruction for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind. The campus teaches Pre-K through college. It is now called Gallaudet University. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a law allowing Deaf students to get a college degree. Tradition has all graduates' diplomas signed by the presiding US President. https://www.gallaudet.edu/about/history-and-traditions -
Deaf President Now
IN 1988 the school board chose a new Hearing president of Gallaudet University instead of a Deaf candidate. This sparked a week long protest that was supported by the rest of the United States. The sign that was used during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's was loaned to the students. The first Deaf President of Gallaudet University was I. King Jordan. https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/deaf-president-now
