Deaf History Month, celebrated in April, recognizes the contributions and history of the Deaf community. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) introduced Deaf History Month in 1997. Initially, it was from March 13 to April 15, recognizing key events in Deaf history. In 2022, the NAD changed the celebration to the full month of April.
These three important events are:
April 15, 1817: The first public school for the Deaf, the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, opened.
April 8, 1864: Gallaudet University, the first college for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing students, was founded. Did you know its charter was signed by Abraham Lincoln?
March 13, 1988: The Deaf President Now movement at Gallaudet University led to the hiring of the first Deaf president, Irving King Jordan.
Let's travel back in time and learn more about Deaf history. Have you ever wondered how American Sign Language (ASL) came about? Learn how Gallaudet became involved with finding a way for his family's deaf neighbor, Alice, to communicate with My Heart Glow.
Did you know that there was a time when everyone, Deaf or hearing, could communicate in sign language on a small town on Martha's Vineyard? Set in the early 1800s, you can follow Mary Lambert's journey in this historical trilogy starting with Show Me A Sign and ending with Sail Me Away Home set in Paris where she travels to meet and work with Jean Massieu and Laurent Clerc who were instrumental in the development of ASL.
Most deaf children are born to hearing families. These two historical novels in verse, All He Knew (1933-1945) and Deer Run Home (1995) are based on true events. Follow Henry's and Effie's journeys in these two books which include an author's note with a history of the actual story.
I love how ASL has become part of every day American culture over the years. Monster Hands celebrates ASL with its beautiful illustrations capturing two Deaf neighbor kids at bedtime chasing monsters away.
How will you celebrate Deaf History Month in April?
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