ASL Edition

History Highlight: Deaf History Month

What is Deaf History Month?

April 1-30 is Deaf History Month! It is a month to recognize and celebrate Deaf history, as well as to continue to push for accessibility and rights for all.

Why April?

Deaf History Month is celebrated then to commemorate the founding of both Gallaudet (founded April 8th 1864) and the American School for the Deaf (founded April 15th 1817). These schools are vital to Deaf culture and the fight for equal access to education. However, Deaf history month is not only about the schools, and celebrates all parts of Deaf history.

Deaf History Month used to run from March 13 to April 15, in commemoration of the Deaf President Now movement at Gallaudet. This movement started on March 6th, and ran until March 13th when I King Jordan, replaced the hearing candidate the board had chosen to become the first Deaf president of this Deaf college. This was a major step forward for Deaf rights, and is still celebrated in Deaf History month, though the dates have changed.

Spring Signs

Learn Some ASL!

How to Sign the Alphabet

Basic Conversational Signs

History of ASL:

Did you know? American Sign Language is actually more closely related to French Sign Language than British Sign Language! ASL was formalized in Deaf boarding schools, the first of which was the American School for the Deaf. The first teacher there, Laurent Clerc, came over from France and brought French Sign Language with him. This mixed with the home signs (signs Deaf children made up and used with their own family/community) of the students who attended, as well as with Martha's Vineyard Sign Language, which had developed on its own in Chilmark. From there, American Sign Language has continued to evolve over time, changing in response to new communities, cultural changes, and technology.

American School for the Deaf (ASD)

The American School for the Deaf is located right here in West Hartford. It was actually the first permanent school for the Deaf in the United States, and was founded in 1817. It was founded by and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, with Laurent Clerc being the first teacher there.

American Sign Language Alphabet

ASL Memes

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