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Introduced in 1997 by The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), National Deaf History Month recognizes the accomplishments of people who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Celebrated from March 13 - April 15, Deaf History Month strives to bring awareness about three key historical events that impacted America’s deaf community.

The first milestone was on April 15, 1817, the opening of the American School for the Deaf (ASD), the first public school for deaf students. This was a huge leap for equality because education is the foundation of a more equal world as it provides stability, financial security, and self-dependence. It is a powerful way to change the future.

The second event took place on April 18, 1864, the establishment of Gallaudet University, the world's first deaf and hard of hearing higher education institution. When it began Gallaudet had twelve students but today there are over 1,500. The sheer number of students demonstrates the necessity for a deaf university as well as the empowerment of the deaf community through education.

Finally, March 13, 1988, was the day Dr. I. King Jordan was elected the first deaf president at Gallaudet University. This occurrence was brought about like many others, through protest. The Deaf President Now (DPN) protests began after a hearing candidate was selected by the Board of Trustees as the next university president. The Gallant students, faculty, and staff, however, believed that a deaf person should be the one running the world's only university for deaf and hard of hearing. By refusing to be relegated to a degraded status in their own community, the protest began bridging equality gaps in the deaf community. This movement also served to educate the nation on the rights and abilities of deaf and hard of hearing persons.

This heritage month acknowledges the complexity and importance of Deaf culture. Deaf culture is as vast and expressive as any other. This heritage stems in part from discrimination which bonds deaf and hard of hearing individuals into a community, relating through their marginalized identities. Deaf culture relates the linguistics, values, and identity of the Deaf experience. Deafness is experienced differently by all individuals.

The keystone of Deaf culture is language. Many deaf individuals do not consider themselves as disabled because nothing fundamental is missing from their ability to communicate. There are more signed languages than spoken. Each language varies in level of expression, emphasis, and context. Each language has its own grammar, structure, and style much like spoken languages. Also similar to spoken language, regional slang and notations exist within signed languages. These languages create a strong community.

Furthermore, not all deaf people know signed language. Some individuals choose to wear hearing aids, cochlear implants, or learn to lip read. These personal choices vary from person to person depending on their individual experiences. No matter their choice of communication, deaf individuals experience a life as full and rich as hearing individuals.

If you're interested in learning more about the Deaf community, check out the Library’s display on the third floor featuring: A Loss For Words: The Story of Deafness in a Family; Talking Hands: What Sign Language Reveals About the Mind; and Deaf World: A Historical Reader and Primary Sourcebook. Interested in becoming a better ally? Here is a list of tips from the Hearing Allyship.

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Deaf History Month by Calasandra Spray

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