-
1520
Pedro Ponce De Leon
He was a Spanish monk who developed one of the first manual alphabets while working with deaf students. This is one of the manual alphabets that eventually led to our current sign language alphabet. Pedro Ponce de León- Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia. (2017, September 26). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from https://alchetron.com/Pedro-Ponce-de-León -
1521
Deaf Individuals Ability to Communicate
Rudolf Agricola believed that the Deaf could communicate through writing. His beliefs are one of the reasons that deaf students are not limited by educators when it comes to the topic of writing. Britannica, T. E. (2015 February 23). Rodolphus Agricola. Retrieved April 21, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rodolphus-Agricola -
1550
Licenciado Lasso
In his publication, "A Legal Treatise on Deaf-mutes", Lasso stated that deaf persons who were able to speak could not be classified as "dumb." A look into Deaf Education's history around the world. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from http://slideplayer.com/slide/5808932/ -
Discourse on Deafness and Speechlessness
Alberti published the first book specifically focusing on deafness (Discourse on Deafness and Speechlessness). He stated that hearing and speech were separate functions. History and Miscellaneous. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ead.ee/foreign_deaf_history -
Manuel Ramirez de Carrion
He was the inventor of speech training for Deaf people. http://gupress.gallaudet.edu/bookpage/DHCSbookpage.html -
Juan Pablo Martin Bonet
He was the first to publish a method for educating the deaf. It uses a one-handed manual alphabet system to teach reading and writing to deaf students. http://www.start-american-sign-language.com/history-of-sign-language.html -
The Royal Institution
A publicly supported school for the deaf was founded by catholic priest, the Abbe de l' Eppe, who pioneered the use of sign language in the instruction of deaf students. Charles-Michel de l'Épée. (2018, April 30). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles-Michel_de_l'Épée -
First Oral School in Germany
Samuel Heinicke establishes the first oral school for the deaf in Germany. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.acm5.com/vgs/1_tegnspraak/materiell/webhefte4/index.htm -
Thomas Braidwood
He established the Braidwood's Academy for the Deaf and Dumb, which was the first school for the deaf in Britain. He is known for the development of the Braidwoodian method of deaf education. G, S. (2009, July 28). Braidwood Academy for the Deaf and Dumb. Plaque E9. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/sludgeulper/3766692156 -
Abbe' de l'Épée
Priest who created a School for the Deaf in Paris, France. Developed method for sign language, which served as the foundation for American Sign Language and other world sign languages. Limited, A. (n.d.). Stock Photo - Charles Michel, ABBE DE L'EPEE French inventor of one-hand sign language for the deaf and dumb Date: 1712 - 1789. Retrieved from https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-charles-michel-abbe-de-lepee-french-inventor-of-one-hand-sign-language-105282810.html -
Johann Konrad Ammann
He was the author of "The Speaking Deaf". His ideas were the basis of Samuel Heinicke's development of the German Method. Johann Konrad Ammann. (2018, April 25). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Konrad_Ammann -
The First Public Free School
Abbe Charles Michel de L’Epee established the first public free deaf school. This gave deaf individuals access to an education. Sign laugange. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.emaze.com/@AOITCLCF -
Instruction of Deaf and Dumb by means of Methodical Signs
Abbe de l’Eppee publishes “Instruction of deaf and dumb by means of methodical signs.” -
School for the Deaf at Bordeaux
Roch Ambroise Cucurran Sicard opens a school for the deaf at Bordeaux. -
The First School for the deaf in Rome
Abba Silvestri opens the first school for the deaf in Rome. -
The Begining of the Hearing Aid
This year was the first attempt to use electricity to aid hearing. -
Alice Cogswell
Alice Cogswell was born. She later sparked the beginning of the deaf education. -
Alice Cogswell Loses her Hearing
Alice loses her hearing and later her speech due to "spotted fever." -
Alice Cogswell meets Gallaudet
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet becomes Alice's neighbor. After learning about her, he is determined to teach her a language. -
Thomas Gallaudet's Journey to Europe
Thomas Gallaudet traveled to Europe with the hopes of discovering a method of teaching deaf children. -
Gallaudet's Return to America
While in Europe, Gallaudet meets Laurent Clerc who agrees to return to America with him in hopes of opening the first American school for the Deaf. -
No Schools for Deaf Students
There were no schools for the deaf in the U.S, which is why deaf people were known as "deaf and dumb" because they were uneducated. -
The American School for the Deaf
Clerc and Gallaudet founded the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf in West Hartford, Connecticut ( The American School of the Deaf).
* This was the first permanent public American School for the deaf. -
The New York Institution
The New York Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb is founded. -
The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is founded. -
Alice Cogswell Passes Away
Alice dies at the age of 25. -
Dr. Samuel Howe
The first director for the first school for the blind in the United States. -
Tales of the Deaf and Dumb
John Burnet wrote it to explain to parents that deaf children are just as capable of learning as hearing children. -
St. Joseph's the first Catholic school
In St. Louis, Missouri, St. Joseph's the first Catholic school for the deaf, opens. -
Levi Backus
He started the first known deaf periodical. He also studied under Laurent Clerc. -
Founding of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind
This school was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1838, the VSDB opened in Staunton, VA, in 1839 and was the first school in the world to integrate deaf and blind students. -
Publication begins at Hartford American School for the Deaf
American Annals of the Deaf begins publication in Hartford at American School for the Deaf. -
Higher Education for Deaf
The idea of a higher education for the Deaf is proposed by American Annals of the Deaf. -
The First School Newspaper for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind
The monthly Deaf Mute was the first school newspaper. -
Deaf Communal Identity
Over 400 deaf people assemble in Hartford, CT to show how strong the deaf communal identity had become. -
The First Regional Organization
The New England Gallaudet Association of Deaf-Mutes was formed. -
Amos Kendall's Donation
He donates 2 acres of land and a house to found a school for the deaf, dumb, and the blind. -
Edward Miner Gallaudet & The Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Blind
The son of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, he helped start the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Blind in Washington, DC (Gallaudet University). -
The Kansas School for the Deaf
The Kansas School for the Deaf was founded. -
A Change in Society's Perspective of Deaf People
Congress authorized the National Deaf-Mute College, the act highlighted how much society's view of deaf people evolved. -
The First State Association of the Deaf is Formed
The Empire State Association of the Deaf is formed. -
Deaf Mute Gazette
An independent paper started this year. -
Lewis Dudley
He was one of the founders of the Clarke Institution. It was the first permanent Oral school in the U.S. -
Colored Department
North Carolina became the first to provide formal education for African American by creating a "Colored Department." -
Alexander Graham Bell
He provided training at the Boston School for Deaf Mutes. -
The First Literary Magazine in the Deaf Press
The Silent World became the first literary magazine in the deaf press. It was published in Washington DC. -
Grand Opening of School in Boston
Alexander Graham Bell opened a school in Boston, which followed his father's view that the Deaf could be taught to speak. -
George Wallis's publishes his book
“Language of Touch – a narrative illustrating the instruction of the Blind and Deaf Mute.” It was based on a deafblind woman named Mary Bradley. -
The Deaf Mutes' Journal
The Deaf Mutes’ Journal is established. It continues operation as a popular newspaper of the Deaf until 1951. -
The Telephone is Here
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone. He also uses his influence to implement the practice of oralism, thus restricting communication for deaf people. -
The First School for the Deaf in Japan
The first school for the deaf in Japan is established. -
Audiometers
David Edward Hughes develops one of the first audiometers used in testing patients. -
Conference of Milan
This conference banned the use of signed language because a declaration was made that oral education was better than manual language. -
The National Association of the Deaf
The National Association of the Deaf was founded. -
James Denison
He was the only deaf person there out of 16 attendees at the International Congress of Educators of the Deaf. -
Helen Keller
Helen Keller was born . -
The Civil Service Act
Prior to the act, all federal jobs had been subject to political appointment. -
William Dummy Hoy
William Dummy Hoy begins his 15 year career in professional baseball. He is widely known for for developing the hand count for umpires in baseball. -
The National Deaf-Mute College Accepts Women as Students
The National Deaf-Mute College begins to accept women as students. -
Volta Bureau
Alexander G. Bell establishes the Volta Bureau. -
The Alumni Association
It is established this year. -
The British Deaf Association
British Deaf Association is founded. -
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf
He founded an organization that is now known as the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf. -
The Silent Worker
George S. Porter became the new printing instructor and editor of the Deaf-Mute Times and renamed it the Silent Worker. -
Agatha Tiegel Hanson Graduates
Agatha Tiegel Hanson was the first women to graduate from Gallaudet with a four-year degree. -
No more National Deaf Mute College
The National Deaf Mute College was renamed to Gallaudet College in honor of Thomas H. Gallaudet. -
The Football Huddle
The Gallaudet University team invented the football huddle to prevent the opponent from eavesdropping on the quarterback in ASL. -
Ohio Home for the Aged and Infirm Deaf Opens
The Ohio Home for the Aged and Infirm Deaf opens in Westerville, OH. -
Elizabeth Peet Joins Gallaudet's Faculty
Elizabeth Peet joined female faculty as Dean of Women -
The National Fraternal Society of the Deaf
The National Fraternal Society of the Deaf was founded. It was founded in order to provide insurance to deaf people. -
The First Football Game was Played Between Two Deaf Schools
The Tennessee School for the Deaf and the North Carolina School for the Deaf. North Carolina won 51-0. -
Introducing the Electric Hearing Aid
The first electric hearing aid (radio aid) is developed. -
The Star-Spangled Banner
American Mutoscope and Biography company produced "Deaf Mute Girl Reciting The Star-Spangled Banner." -
Helen Keller Earns her BA Degree
Helen Keller earned a BA degree cum laude at Radcliffe College -
The Diamond Head School for the Deaf Opens
The Diamond Head School for the Deaf opened in Honolulu, Hawaii. -
African-American Children are Transferred
African-American children were transferred from Columbia Institution to the Maryland School for Colored Deaf Mutes in Baltimore. -
Luther H. Taylor & The New York Giants
Luther H. Taylor (deaf) played on the 1905 New York Giants team which won the World Series. -
The Civil Service Commission Additions
The Civil Service Commissions added total deafness and loss of speech to the list after receiving complaints who were rejected by local officials because of their deafness. -
Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind Opens
Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind opened in Gooding. -
William Howard Taft
He overturned Roosevelt’s earlier decision to prohibit deaf people from taking civil service exams for federal jobs. -
Virginia School for the Deaf
Virginia School for the Deaf opened in Hampton. -
Edward Miner Gallaudet Retires
He retires from the college presidency. At this point, the campus has expanded. -
Alice Nicholson
Alice Nicholson was installed as first female Editor-in-Chief of The Buff and Blue. -
Arizona School for the Deaf
Arizona School for the Deaf and the Blind opened in Tucson. -
Juliette Gordon Low
She was a late deafened woman who founded the Girl Scouts of America in Savannah, Georgia. -
Edwin Nies
He is the first deaf person to earn a Doctor of Dental Sciences. He earned his degree from the University of Pennsylvania. -
The Central Institution for the Deaf Opens
Central Institution for the Deaf opened in St. Louis -
Dr. Harry Best Publishes his Book about the Deaf
Dr. Harry Best published "The Deaf; Their Position in Society and the Provisions for their Education in the U.S." -
Deaf Women Began Era of Female Leadership of State Association
Annie Lashbrook and Alice Terry were elected as Presidents of the Empire State Association of the Deaf and the California Association of the Deaf . Olga Anderson presided over the North Dakota Association of the Deaf. -
Dr. Edward M. Gallaudet Dies
Dr. Edward M. Gallaudet died. -
Helen Keller in Movies
She made a movie in Hollywood, D"eliverance, "to dramatize the plight of the blind. -
Deaf Motorists in Cali
Deaf motorists in California formed an automobile club to defend their right to drive. -
Earl C. Hanson & the first vacuum-tube hearing aid
Earl C. Hanson patents the first vacuum-tube hearing aid. -
Alexander Graham Bell Dies
Alexander Graham Bell died in Nova Scotia, Canada. -
Rolf Harmsen
Rolf Harmsen became first deaf athlete to run 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds. -
Helen Keller Joins the American Foundation for the Blind
Keller joined the staff of the newly formed American Foundation for the Blind as an adviser and fund-raiser. -
Vaccum Tube Hearing Aids Reduce
The size of vacuum tube hearing aids had been reduced so all of the components could fit in a small wooden box. -
The International Committee of Silent Sports
The International Committee of Silent Sports (CISS) is founded on by E. Rubens Alcais of France and Antoine Dresse of Belgium. -
Henry Humphrey Moore Dies
Deaf artist Henry Humphrey Moore died. -
Edith Fitzgerald publishes his book
Edith Fitzgerald published Straight Language for the Deaf. -
Nellie Zabel Willhite
He is believed to be the first deaf pilot in the world. -
Dactylogly
"The October issue of the Silent Worker focused on "dactylology." -
Nellie Zabel Willhite
Nellie Zabel Willhite (deaf) was licensed to fly in South Dakota. She is believed to be the first solo deaf pilot in the world. -
The Philadelphia Record publishing Deaf drivers statistics
The claim that driving while deaf was no hazard was validated after statistics showed that none of the city's 177 licensed drivers has been involved in an accident. -
Hayrides
Social outings like the hayrides were part of campus life. -
Everett "Silent" Rattan
Everett “Silent” Rattan won 109 straight wrestling matches as a professional deaf wrestler. -
Anne Sullivan Dies
Anne Sullivan “Teacher” of Helen Keller died -
Motion Pictures in ASL by Ernest Marshall
Ernest Marshall produced a motion picture in Sign Language for deaf audiences. -
The Psychology of Deafness
Helmer Myklebust published "The Psychology of Deafness." -
Mrs. Spencer Tracy's Clinic for the Deaf Opens
The John Tracy Clinic for the Deaf opened in Los Angeles. -
The American Athletic Association of the Deaf
The American Athletic Association of the Deaf is established in Akron, Ohio. -
The Union League of the Deaf in New York City Celebrates
The union celebrates its sixtieth anniversary. -
The Deaf Club Begins
People can begin going to the Deaf Club to watch captioned films. -
Rev. Carter Bearden appointed as Southern Baptist Missionary
Rev. Carter Bearden (deaf) was appointed as a Southern Baptist Missionary in Waco, Texas where he served as the conference's first president in 1949 and 1950 . -
BTE Hearing Aids
Behind the ear hearing aid becomes available. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This landmark case eventually led to the integration of schools for deaf children. -
The Junior National Association of the Deaf
The Junior National Association of the Deaf is established for deaf youths. -
Sign Language Structure: An outline of the Visual Communications Systems of the American Deaf
William Stoke wrote this to challenge widely held perceptions about the visual language used by the Deaf Community. -
Teletypewriter
This year the first long distance call was made with the use of the TTY that was made in 1964 by its inventor, Robert Weitbrechtin. -
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
The establishment of a National Technical Institute for the Deaf happened this year. The NTID, a federally funded institution located on the campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology, is the first technological college for deaf students in the world. -
R. Orin Cornett
He was the viece president of long-range planning at then-Gallaudet College. He developed cued speech -
The deaf telephone network
The deaf telephone network still had only three users. -
APCOM's Establishment
Weitbrecht, Marsters, and Sajs established Applied Communications Corporation (APCOM). "They invested their own money and obtained a patent on their "Phonetype" Acoustic coupler." -
Graeme Clark
He began researching the possibilities of an electronic implantable hearing device after being inspired by his close relationship with his deaf father. -
Teletypewriters and TDI
Teletypewriters for the Deaf incorporated TDI. "It helps coordinate the local groups who worked closely with the Telephone Pioneers of America." -
Employment opportunities for DHH increases
Employment opportunities begin to expand for deaf people in a variety of professions and trades. -
Cochlear Implant
The first cochlear implant was invented. -
Public Law 94-142 was passed
It was first passed by Congress in 1975 as the Education of All Handicapped Children Act. The IDEA legislation required that all students with disabilities up to age 21 must be provided with free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and with accommodations. -
The First Deaf Women's Conference
The first Deaf women’s conference is held in Washington, DC at Gallaudet College -
The World Federation for the Deaf and Blind
The World Federation for the Deaf and Blind is founded. -
The Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
The Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf is established. -
The First Recipient of a Bone Conduction Hearing Aid (BAHA)
Mona Andersson was the first recipient of a bone conduction hearing implant in Gothenburg, Sweden. -
Turban Shell and Grass
Professor Graeme Clark receives research grant for "The Development of a Hearing Prosthesis". Professor Clark, he was determined to discover a way to get the electrode placed securely in the inner ear – finds a solution by experimenting with a blade of grass and a small turban shell on the Minnamurra Beach in New South Wales, Australia. -
Closing of the Segregated School
The last remaining segregated program, the Louisiana School for the Colored Deaf and Blind in Baton Rouge closed. -
Rod Saunder: The First Cochlear Recipient
Rod Saunders was the world's first cochlear implant recipient to show the benefit of multi-channel stimulation -
The American Association of Deaf and Blind
The American Association of Deaf and Blind Inc forms. -
Board of Education v. Rowley
This case was about a school system that denied access to an interpreter because the student, Amy Rowley, was able to read lips. The first case under IDEA, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that the school was not required to provide an interpreter because she "was achieving educationally, academically, socially without such assistance". -
Cochlear Implant
FDA approves first cochlear implant for marketing. -
Deaf Protestors at CBS
Deaf protestors stand outside the CBS headquarters in NYC. They wanted captions! -
FDA Approves Implanation for Adults
The cochlear implant was no longer deemed experimental and was given the stamp of FDA approval for implantation into adults. -
Gallaudet University
The institution Gallaudet college became Gallaudet University. -
Deaf President Now
The “Deaf President Now” movement took place at Gallaudet University. -
Digital Hearing Aids
The first wearable digital signal processing hearing aid was created. -
The Oregon Outlook
This contemporary publication depicted the production of sign and was published by students. -
The Deaf Way
The Gallaudet University hosts "The Deaf Way." An international conference and festival celebrating Deaf language, culture, history, and art. -
American with Disabilities Act
Under certain circumstances, the ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability. What does this mean for DHH individuals? It ensures interpreting services, access to TDD, and reasonable working accommodations for the DHH. -
J. Schuyler Long
He was a teacher at the Iowa School for the Deaf who published a dictionary (The Sign Language: A manual of signs). -
Television Decoder Circuitry Act
This law required all new television sets with a screen thirteen inches or larger to include CC technology. -
Heather Whitestone
She is the first woman with a disability to be crowned Miss America . -
The Telecom Act
This act mandated closed captioning, which is now widely available for the deaf and hard of hearing community. -
The World Federation for the Deaf and Blind
The World Federation for the Deaf and Blind is founded. -
No Child Left Behind
With the NCLB, deaf and hard of hearing students and students with disabilities may no longer be excluded from any type of assessment available to students attending mainstream academic programs. -
Miss America
Heather Whitestone McCallum becomes a Nucleus recipient. -
Graeme Clark Scholarship introduced
The Graeme Clark Scholarship aims to support cochlear implant recipients who wish to further their education with university studies. -
British Sign Language
The British Government recognizes British Sign Language as a bona-fide language. -
IDEA
This law was passed to ensure services for students with disabilities. The services consists of: IEP Development and Team Meeting, Highly Qualified and Instructional Support Services, etc. -
Deaf President Now II
When King Jordan steps down from his position, the students were uneasy about his replacement, Jane Fernandes. She was deaf but would she be able to lead the Deaf community and advocate for it? -
Cochlear Hybrid™
Combines both cochlear implant and hearing aid technologies to overcome high frequency loss. -
Cochlear Baha 3
Baha BP100 Sound Processor more than 25% improved speech understanding in noise compared to previous Baha. -
Oldest Cochlear Implant Recipient
At age 83, Jack Walley received his Nucleus® 22 implant. -
Siemen's Hearing Aid
Siemens launches, Aquaris, a waterproof, dustproof and shock-proof hearing aid. -
Two Century Mark
The American School for the Deaf reaches its two century mark. Myers, T. J., S., & Mousley, K. (n.d.). 169 Towns. Retrieved from http://www.ctmq.org/103-american-school-for-the-deaf-museum/
