US & International Deaf Culture

History of Deaf Culture

United States: According to Howard University, in "1864, Gallaudet University (College for deaf individuals) was founded. In 1817, Alexander Graham Bell founds oralist school ( a school based on the belief that Deaf individuals should be taught speech & lip reading over sign language. In 1880, during the Milan Conference, congress endorsed oralism and passed a resolution banning the use of sign language in schools. In 1890, the National Association of he Deaf was founded (an organization that promotes the civil rights of deaf individuals in the United States). In 1975, PL 94-142 passed allowing disabled children free, appropriate public education. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed ( prohibits discrimination based on disability)".

Britain: According to ESRC, " In 1760 the opening of Thomas Braidwood's Academy for the Deaf in Edinburgh, the first school for the Deaf, which saw the education of many famous Deaf sign language users was founded. In 1792, the Establishment of the London Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb Poor at Bermondsey (the first public Deaf school in Britain) was founded. In 1880, during the Milan Conference, congress endorsed oralism and passed a resolution banning the use of sign language in schools. In 1890, The British Deaf and Dumb Association is founded in response to the influence of the Milan Congress resolutions. In 1893, The Elementary Education (Deaf and Blind Children) Act is passed. This Act obliged parents of blind or deaf children to ensure that they received appropriate elementary education, and required school authorities to make better provision for them. In 1979, the National Union for the Deaf is formed. In 1995, the Disability Discrimination Act is passed. In 2003, British Sign Language is officially recognized by the British Government. In 2010, The 21st International Congress on the Education of the Deaf, held in Vancouver, Canada passes a resounding resolution that rejects the motions passed back in Milan in 1880".

Politics & Opportunities

United States: According to Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, some laws that impact Deaf/ Hard of Hearing individuals in the US are the "IDEA act [a law that ensures that students who are deaf or hard of hearing receive an appropriate education. Included in this law is development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)], Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( a law that ensures that individuals with disabilities will not be excluded from participation in programs that receive federal financial assistance, such as public schools) and The Americans with Disabilities Act ( a law that ensures deaf children have access to state and local governments, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications)".

Britain: According to RNID, some laws that affect Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals in Britain are the "Equality Act which protects you against unfair treatment in the workplace, and when you’re out and about, if your hearing loss fits the definition of a disability and The Human Rights Act which places a duty on all public authorities in the UK to behave in a way that respects and fits with the rights set out in the European Convention".

Educational Perspectives

According to Christen Szymanski, some educational perspectives presented world wide include ". Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Access to qualified professionals/service providers for early hearing detection and intervention services for young deaf and hard of hearing children ages 0 to 5 and their families), expectations (The recognition of the low academic expectations held by teachers and/or service providers of deaf and hard of hearing students and the need to impart higher expectations to students), qualified Direct Service Personnel (The need for training and professional development as well as for qualified teachers, staff, and professionals in K-12 educational programs to work with deaf and hard of hearing students addressing a variety of needs) and technology (The need for assistive technology to enhance access in classrooms, at home, and in the community).

Conclusion

Although 879 miles apart, the United States of America and Britian are similar in a lot of ways. Their Deaf history are alike because of their need/want to have deaf individuals become oralist and although both places figured out that oralism was not the way to go, Britian took a lot longer than the US to make that decison. They even share a great deal of political laws, regulations, acts, bills and educational opportunities. In spite of all their similaraties, we can work together to make d/Deaf indivuals seen, heard, and respected across the globe.

Works Cited

Center, Gallaudet University and Clerc. “Laws Impacting Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.” Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, https://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/national-resources/info/info-to-go/legislation-and-policies/laws-impacting-students.html.

ESRC. “BSL Timeline.” History of British Sign Language, 13 Aug. 2019, https://www.ucl.ac.uk/british-sign-language-history/bsl-timeline.

Harvard University. “Deaf History Timeline.” Deaf History Timeline, https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/asl/deaf-history-timeline.

RNID. “The Human Rights Act.” RNID, 10 May 2021, https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/your-rights/the-human-rights-act/.

Szymanski, Christen. Critical Needs of Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED543356.pdf.