Running from March 13th through April 15th, National Deaf History Month is a time to honor the contributions of deaf individuals and the deaf community and learn more about the ongoing advocacy work deaf organizations undertake in order to make the world accessible to deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
This awareness month runs through March and April because it recognizes three key, historical moments that impacted the deaf community. On March 13, 1988, the ‘Deaf President Now’ or DPN movement successfully campaigned for a deaf president to be installed at Gallaudet University. April 8 marks the anniversary of the founding of Gallaudet University, the only higher education institution for deaf and hard of hearing students. The university is named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, an influential figure whose research and advocacy led to an improved educational system for deaf and hard of hearing children. Finally, April 15th commemorates the founding of the American School for the Deaf, one of the first public schools for deaf children.
National Deaf History Month is not a federally recognized holiday, yet many organizations and advocacy groups continue to lobby Congress for recognition. There have been improvements in deaf accessibility in and out of a classroom setting, yet many deaf individuals must navigate a world that frequently privileges hearing people.
There are countless ways hearing people can serve as allies to the deaf and hard of hearing community. First and most importantly, listen to the stories and experiences of deaf people. Deaf people have documented their experiences and should be the experts on how to help their community. Gallaudet University maintains a list of books related to deaf history and this is a great starting point to learn more about deaf history and culture. If you’re interested in learning about the deaf community’s relationship to the medical community, consider this 2020 article from Hour Detroit that profiles Dr. Philip Zazove, the third deaf person licensed to practice medicine within the United State. And pick up Dr. Zazove’s memoir, When the Phone Rings, My Bed Shakes: Memoirs of a Deaf Doctor, which is available for check out through a Consortium Loan Service request. And watch these two TEDtalks that feature deaf presenters:
You may consider taking a sign language course and learning more about the rules and nuances of this language. Check with your city’s library as many offer ASL courses to the public. Or check out ASL Connect, an online service from Gallaudet University, that offers basic ASL vocabulary videos and free online ASL lessons. Deaf rights advocacy groups are still working to make the world accessible for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and families. Explore the National Association of the Deaf’s website and learn more about ongoing civil rights issues facing deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Search for ways to ally with the deaf community as they fight for equity in education, healthcare and other important areas of their life.
April 15th marks the end of National Deaf History Month, yet we must continue to educate ourselves on the deaf community and the current barriers they face. If you’re interested in exploring the history of the deaf community, check out any of the resources linked in this article!
References
- “National Deaf History Month.” Milken Institute School of Public Health, publichealth.gwu.edu/blogs/deptannouncements/2020/03/06/national-deaf-history-month.
- Friess, Steve. “Dr. Philip Zazove on Why His Field Needs More People with Disabilities.” Hour Detroit Magazine, 15 Oct. 2020, www.hourdetroit.com/health/philip-zazove-deaf-doctor.
- Insight Into Diversity. “National Deaf History Month.” INSIGHT Into Diversity, 13 Apr. 2020, www.insightintodiversity.com/national-deaf-history-month.
- “Deaf History Month | Diversity & Inclusion.” Diversity & Inclusion| Florida State University, diversity.fsu.edu/article/deaf-history-month#:%7E:text=National%20Deaf%20History%20Month%20is,deaf%20and%20hard%20of%20hearing. Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.
- TEDx Talks. “I’m Deaf, but We Can Still Talk | Rebekah Afari | TEDxExeter.” YouTube, uploaded by TEDxTalks, 7 June 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3f_mENOQaE.
- TEDx Talks. “Deaf Ideology | Marika Kovacs-Houlihan | TEDxUWMilwaukee.” YouTube, uploaded by TEDxTalks, 10 Nov. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLBw9nYI_Ks.
- “National Association of the Deaf - NAD.” National Association of the Deaf, www.nad.org. Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.
