Programming Deaf History Month
Developed by
National Association of the Deaf
Ad Hoc Committee on National Deaf History Month
National Association of the Deaf
Ad Hoc Committee on National Deaf History Month
GREETINGS
By Amy Bopp, President
Library Friends Section of the National Association of the Deaf
On behalf of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and library friends in all parts of America, I want to congratulate you for using this KIT to help the local community celebrate deaf legacy at your library. By observing Deaf History Month, as well as any other appropriate annual events during the year, you will be reaching out to your diverse community increasing their awareness of the rich deaf history and of your various library resources that will benefit the public—hearing and deaf.
The NAD Ad Hoc Committee on National Deaf History Month is to be applauded for a job well done in preparing this KIT. This kit will help prepare the nation to support the U.S. President when he proclaims March 13 through April 15 as Deaf History Month, an occasion to celebrate the legacy and many contributions made by people who share the personal, familial or societal deaf experience.
This KIT will lead you to the many quality resources available that have shaped our legacy.
As a deaf person, I grew up spending much time at the library where books were friends and like many other people with hearing losses I was also isolated from my own legacy.
Were it not for the efforts of the public library, THE RED NOTEBOOK and FOLDA, I would not have discovered my own roots in deaf history. I only wish such a resource would have been available to me and others many years ago. We are fortunate to have this KIT available for this and future generations.
I am a teacher of American Sign Language, so I know how valuable this KIT will be not only for libraries, but for a wide range of members of the public who will readily be able to access our Deaf Legacy in libraries.
Ms. Hagemeyer and her FOLDA associates have always had a positive attitude about the ability of library resources to bring people together, deaf and hearing alike, to acknowledge the contributions previous generations have and continue to make. This has increased our ability to communicate our legacy to the next generation. Having the KIT available in libraries everywhere will start the wave for all parts of the US to celebrate Deaf History Month from 2006 onwards.
Within the KIT you will find everything you need to celebrate Deaf Legacy. Beginning with introductions from major organizations, leading to the proclamation for Deaf History month to be established, making suggestions for program planning, providing many resources and moving on to a glossary of terms, a list of references, and a description of the work of the NAD Ad Hoc Committee, this KIT together will help us celebrate a legacy whose time has arrived.
By Amy Bopp, President
Library Friends Section of the National Association of the Deaf
On behalf of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and library friends in all parts of America, I want to congratulate you for using this KIT to help the local community celebrate deaf legacy at your library. By observing Deaf History Month, as well as any other appropriate annual events during the year, you will be reaching out to your diverse community increasing their awareness of the rich deaf history and of your various library resources that will benefit the public—hearing and deaf.
The NAD Ad Hoc Committee on National Deaf History Month is to be applauded for a job well done in preparing this KIT. This kit will help prepare the nation to support the U.S. President when he proclaims March 13 through April 15 as Deaf History Month, an occasion to celebrate the legacy and many contributions made by people who share the personal, familial or societal deaf experience.
This KIT will lead you to the many quality resources available that have shaped our legacy.
As a deaf person, I grew up spending much time at the library where books were friends and like many other people with hearing losses I was also isolated from my own legacy.
Were it not for the efforts of the public library, THE RED NOTEBOOK and FOLDA, I would not have discovered my own roots in deaf history. I only wish such a resource would have been available to me and others many years ago. We are fortunate to have this KIT available for this and future generations.
I am a teacher of American Sign Language, so I know how valuable this KIT will be not only for libraries, but for a wide range of members of the public who will readily be able to access our Deaf Legacy in libraries.
Ms. Hagemeyer and her FOLDA associates have always had a positive attitude about the ability of library resources to bring people together, deaf and hearing alike, to acknowledge the contributions previous generations have and continue to make. This has increased our ability to communicate our legacy to the next generation. Having the KIT available in libraries everywhere will start the wave for all parts of the US to celebrate Deaf History Month from 2006 onwards.
Within the KIT you will find everything you need to celebrate Deaf Legacy. Beginning with introductions from major organizations, leading to the proclamation for Deaf History month to be established, making suggestions for program planning, providing many resources and moving on to a glossary of terms, a list of references, and a description of the work of the NAD Ad Hoc Committee, this KIT together will help us celebrate a legacy whose time has arrived.
INTRODUCTION
By Alice L. Hagemeyer, Chair
National Association of the Deaf Ad Hoc Committee on National Deaf History Month
For a long time, the Friends of Libraries of Deaf Action (FOLDA) have been lobbying the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) to have the president of the United States proclaim National Deaf History Month.
Many interest groups, such as African-Americans and women, already have had the U.S. president proclaim a particular day, week or month to recognize their rich history and contributions to America. The deaf community should have the same honor as those interest groups; we also have our rich history and also have made many valuable contributions to society for over 200 years.
Towards this end, at the 2004 ALA annual conference in Orlando, Florida, board members of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the ALA, voted to back the delegation at the 2004 NAD biennial conference in Kansas City, Missouri to have the U.S. president proclaim Deaf History Month, to be annually observed from March 13 to April 15. Further efforts followed and a resolution on this was sent to the White House.
At this writing, we are still awaiting a reply by the president of the United States. In the meantime, we are going ahead with the KIT so that the nation’s libraries will be prepared for the president to proclaim the month. Each state’s governor, county executive or mayor is also encouraged to join with the nation to proclaim the month in 2006 if possible.
Now, the NAD Ad Hoc Committee is very pleased to present the NATIONAL DEAF HISTORY MONTH KIT to the nation’s libraries. Although the KIT may not have all the answers, we hope that library personnel and their friends will benefit from the resources listed in the KIT as they work on a plan to fit in with their local needs.
The purpose of the National Deaf History Month theme statement included in this KIT is to encourage the nation’s libraries to use the following theme for observing National Deaf History Month and/or any other appropriate annual events.
By Alice L. Hagemeyer, Chair
National Association of the Deaf Ad Hoc Committee on National Deaf History Month
For a long time, the Friends of Libraries of Deaf Action (FOLDA) have been lobbying the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) to have the president of the United States proclaim National Deaf History Month.
Many interest groups, such as African-Americans and women, already have had the U.S. president proclaim a particular day, week or month to recognize their rich history and contributions to America. The deaf community should have the same honor as those interest groups; we also have our rich history and also have made many valuable contributions to society for over 200 years.
Towards this end, at the 2004 ALA annual conference in Orlando, Florida, board members of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the ALA, voted to back the delegation at the 2004 NAD biennial conference in Kansas City, Missouri to have the U.S. president proclaim Deaf History Month, to be annually observed from March 13 to April 15. Further efforts followed and a resolution on this was sent to the White House.
At this writing, we are still awaiting a reply by the president of the United States. In the meantime, we are going ahead with the KIT so that the nation’s libraries will be prepared for the president to proclaim the month. Each state’s governor, county executive or mayor is also encouraged to join with the nation to proclaim the month in 2006 if possible.
Now, the NAD Ad Hoc Committee is very pleased to present the NATIONAL DEAF HISTORY MONTH KIT to the nation’s libraries. Although the KIT may not have all the answers, we hope that library personnel and their friends will benefit from the resources listed in the KIT as they work on a plan to fit in with their local needs.
The purpose of the National Deaf History Month theme statement included in this KIT is to encourage the nation’s libraries to use the following theme for observing National Deaf History Month and/or any other appropriate annual events.
NATIONAL DEAF HISTORY MONTH RESOLUTION
The American Library Association Council voted this resolution unanimously on June 26, 2005 during its 2005 ALA Conference in Chicago
WHEREAS, Approximately one in ten Americans is either born deaf or has acquired some forms of hearing loss due to accident, illness, noise, heredity, or aging; and
WHEREAS, although the term “deaf community” implies uniformity, it actually consists of diverse individuals with varying communication modes and backgrounds, both deaf and hearing, who share common characteristics of hearing loss and/or deaf culture; and
WHEREAS, the deaf community has been long unrecognized and misunderstood by most Americans; and
WHEREAS, numerous pioneers should be honored for their roles in transforming American culture, history, and politics as educators, artists, writers, inventors, informed citizens, and many other roles, as for example:
WHEREAS, for thirty years since the 1970s, the general public has been becoming more aware of the deaf community and sign language through television and theatre, ranging from:
WHEREAS, the heritage of the deaf community in America has been recognized in Deaf Heritage, the first history of the deaf community in America, published in1981 by the National Association of the Deaf, and written by Jack R. Gannon, and American Sign Language has been acknowledged as a true language, and is taught throughout the United States, and
WHEREAS, libraries have been instrumental in promoting public awareness of American Sign Language, deaf culture, and the history of the deaf community, as for example:
WHEREAS, the month of March 13 – April 15 contains these important dates in American History:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Council of the American Library Association urges the President of the United States to declare National Deaf History Month, to be held annually March 13 – April 15 and to call upon public officials, educators, and librarians to celebrate with programs and activities to highlight and honor the many contributions of the deaf community to American society.
Moved by Cynthia Roach, ASCLA Councilor.
Seconded by Ruth Nussbaum, Councilor At Large
Voted unanimously
ALA Council #52
June 26, 2005
2005 ALA Conference in Chicago
The American Library Association Council voted this resolution unanimously on June 26, 2005 during its 2005 ALA Conference in Chicago
WHEREAS, Approximately one in ten Americans is either born deaf or has acquired some forms of hearing loss due to accident, illness, noise, heredity, or aging; and
WHEREAS, although the term “deaf community” implies uniformity, it actually consists of diverse individuals with varying communication modes and backgrounds, both deaf and hearing, who share common characteristics of hearing loss and/or deaf culture; and
WHEREAS, the deaf community has been long unrecognized and misunderstood by most Americans; and
WHEREAS, numerous pioneers should be honored for their roles in transforming American culture, history, and politics as educators, artists, writers, inventors, informed citizens, and many other roles, as for example:
- Thomas Brown, deaf orator and grassroots community leader who planted the seed for the National Association of the Deaf in the 1870s;
- Thomas Alva Edison, inventor and scientist who received 1,093 patents and who said his deafness helped him concentrate on his experiments and research;
- Andrew J. Foster, deaf American educator who founded thirty-one schools and many other programs for deaf people in thirteen African countries;
- Sophia Fowler Gallaudet, an influential deaf advocate to the US Congress and who was known as "Queen of the Deaf Community;"
- Helen Keller, deaf-blind author and lecturer, who received many honors for her global advocacy on human rights; and
WHEREAS, for thirty years since the 1970s, the general public has been becoming more aware of the deaf community and sign language through television and theatre, ranging from:
- Children of a Lesser God, a Tony-Award winning play about the deaf culture which starred a deaf actress; and
- Sesame Street, a children’s educational television program with an award-winning deaf actress as “Linda the Librarian” to the recent smash hit,
- Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, multi-award winning musical play, produced by deaf-run Deaf West Theatre; and
WHEREAS, the heritage of the deaf community in America has been recognized in Deaf Heritage, the first history of the deaf community in America, published in1981 by the National Association of the Deaf, and written by Jack R. Gannon, and American Sign Language has been acknowledged as a true language, and is taught throughout the United States, and
WHEREAS, libraries have been instrumental in promoting public awareness of American Sign Language, deaf culture, and the history of the deaf community, as for example:
- Since 1974, the District of Columbia Public Library in Washington, D.C. has celebrated deaf awareness in the first full week of December, now known as Clerc-Gallaudet Week. This Week commemorates the anniversaries of the births of Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, two pioneers of deaf education in America, both born in December and who made a great impact on the deaf community when they founded the first permanent American school for deaf students in Hartford, Connecticut on April 15, 1817;
- Public, school and academic libraries are acquiring literature and media concerning the deaf community in varied formats such as books, captioned media, American Sign Language video titles, large print, and Braille;
- The unit that is now known as the Library Services to People who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Forum of the Libraries Serving Special Populations Section within the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies a division of the American Library Association was formed in 1978 and continues to this day; and
WHEREAS, the month of March 13 – April 15 contains these important dates in American History:
- March 13: The victory of the Deaf President Now movement at Gallaudet University located in Washington, D.C. when the first deaf person was selected to become president of this 124-year-old institution in 1988;
- April 8: Charter signed in 1864 by the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, authorizing the Board of Directors of the Columbia Institution (now Gallaudet University) to grant college degrees to deaf students;
- April 15: Establishment in 1817 of the first permanent school for deaf students in the Western Hemisphere, now known as the American School for the Deaf, located in Hartford, Connecticut.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Council of the American Library Association urges the President of the United States to declare National Deaf History Month, to be held annually March 13 – April 15 and to call upon public officials, educators, and librarians to celebrate with programs and activities to highlight and honor the many contributions of the deaf community to American society.
Moved by Cynthia Roach, ASCLA Councilor.
Seconded by Ruth Nussbaum, Councilor At Large
Voted unanimously
ALA Council #52
June 26, 2005
2005 ALA Conference in Chicago
PROGRAM PLANNING SUGGESTIONS
1) Who should take the charge of the program in your area?
We suggest finding an internal advocate within your own library system. This person has to have some passion about the subject or it will die right then and there.
Next step would be to form a committee--whatever size--with the goal of promoting Deaf Awareness. A further step would be to contact any organization in that library’s region that would be a natural partner in promoting Deaf Services: Head Start, Mental Health Organization, Academic Institutions with Deaf Studies/ASL Programs and others. Public schools may not be a good idea since they do not have time to allow staff to work in outside committees. We recommend keeping the committee SMALL. Five is plenty; otherwise, they may not be able to keep the group on task.
2) Budget Needs
a) For committee support: Photocopies, auxiliary aids and services at meetings if needed, postage, and others
b) For programs: Room rental, refreshments, technology, communication assistance, auxiliary aids, honorarium fees, posters and others
c) For publishing: Desktop publishing, graphic art work, Braille transcription, and others
3) Funding
We suggest; designating part of the program budget that already exists. Advocates for the library system may attend the program committee meeting and bring suggestions for Deaf Awareness topics. And if the library does not have a program committee, we suggest they write up a proposal to whoever makes that decision. Funding can come from donations and other resources besides grants and fund-raising.
4) Program theme
National: Celebrate Deaf Legacy
State & Local: The committee may want to add slogan to go with the national theme or fold the celebration into an ongoing theme the library is currently promoting.
5) Target date
March 13-April 15 annually
6) Target audience
Deaf Community
7) Program site and accessibility
Whenever possible, the building should be in a location people can reach by public transportation and have a ramp, directional signs and the staff already trained in serving people with disabilities or those who have language barriers. It would be best if in the meeting room there would be a raised platform and not have a window or light source behind the speaker. If the speakers use sign language and some people in the audience do not know sign language, it would be advisable to know what communication technologies are available in the community that is served by the library. Two examples of communication technologies are Sign Language / Voice Interpreters and CART in which services may be provided by a local agency.
CART or Communication Access Real time Translation is one type of interpretation. CART provides visual text with nearly instantaneous translation of the spoken word. The CART provider types the speaker’s words on a stenographic machine which is connected to a computer with software to translate the stenographic code into English. The translation can then be read on the computer screen; for larger group events the CART text can be displayed on a large video screen or projected onto the wall.
Source: Planning for Library Services to People With Disabilities, by
Rhea Joyce Rubin Chicago: ALA/ASCLA, 2001
8) Presenters
Presenters may be guest speakers, lecturers, storytellers, and/or performing artists, either in person or on video.
Checklist: Biography and photo; Presentation Topic, Technical assistance needed for presentation and honorarium fees If videos are used, please make sure they are of high quality. For video reviews, please visit www.aslaccess.org
9) Exhibitions
a) Libraries to display a collection of books, videos, and other library materials that are related to the language, culture and history of the deaf community in a prominent place, encouraging customers to check out those that are circulating.
b) Libraries may set up a schedule to demonstrate ASL videos as part of the exhibit, encouraging customers to check out those that are circulating. Examples of videos and their reviews can be found on the ASL Access Web Site www.aslaccess.org
10) Program promotional resources
a) Public media (e.g., TV, newspapers, library networks)
b) Eye-catching Deaf History Month posters you may design on your own
c) Handouts, such as a list of fiction books having deaf characters for children and young adults, Deaf American History Trivia, Notable Deaf Quotes and others
11) Proclamation for Governors, County Executives, and Mayors
Statements from the National Deaf History Month Resolution may be adapted to fit in the interest of local populations. Notable pioneers from the deaf community and historical deaf events on state or local level may be highlighted in the proclamation
12) Follow Up
We would love to hear the results of your program, of whatever size, so please send them to us via our contact form.
1) Who should take the charge of the program in your area?
We suggest finding an internal advocate within your own library system. This person has to have some passion about the subject or it will die right then and there.
Next step would be to form a committee--whatever size--with the goal of promoting Deaf Awareness. A further step would be to contact any organization in that library’s region that would be a natural partner in promoting Deaf Services: Head Start, Mental Health Organization, Academic Institutions with Deaf Studies/ASL Programs and others. Public schools may not be a good idea since they do not have time to allow staff to work in outside committees. We recommend keeping the committee SMALL. Five is plenty; otherwise, they may not be able to keep the group on task.
2) Budget Needs
a) For committee support: Photocopies, auxiliary aids and services at meetings if needed, postage, and others
b) For programs: Room rental, refreshments, technology, communication assistance, auxiliary aids, honorarium fees, posters and others
c) For publishing: Desktop publishing, graphic art work, Braille transcription, and others
3) Funding
We suggest; designating part of the program budget that already exists. Advocates for the library system may attend the program committee meeting and bring suggestions for Deaf Awareness topics. And if the library does not have a program committee, we suggest they write up a proposal to whoever makes that decision. Funding can come from donations and other resources besides grants and fund-raising.
4) Program theme
National: Celebrate Deaf Legacy
State & Local: The committee may want to add slogan to go with the national theme or fold the celebration into an ongoing theme the library is currently promoting.
5) Target date
March 13-April 15 annually
6) Target audience
Deaf Community
7) Program site and accessibility
Whenever possible, the building should be in a location people can reach by public transportation and have a ramp, directional signs and the staff already trained in serving people with disabilities or those who have language barriers. It would be best if in the meeting room there would be a raised platform and not have a window or light source behind the speaker. If the speakers use sign language and some people in the audience do not know sign language, it would be advisable to know what communication technologies are available in the community that is served by the library. Two examples of communication technologies are Sign Language / Voice Interpreters and CART in which services may be provided by a local agency.
CART or Communication Access Real time Translation is one type of interpretation. CART provides visual text with nearly instantaneous translation of the spoken word. The CART provider types the speaker’s words on a stenographic machine which is connected to a computer with software to translate the stenographic code into English. The translation can then be read on the computer screen; for larger group events the CART text can be displayed on a large video screen or projected onto the wall.
Source: Planning for Library Services to People With Disabilities, by
Rhea Joyce Rubin Chicago: ALA/ASCLA, 2001
8) Presenters
Presenters may be guest speakers, lecturers, storytellers, and/or performing artists, either in person or on video.
Checklist: Biography and photo; Presentation Topic, Technical assistance needed for presentation and honorarium fees If videos are used, please make sure they are of high quality. For video reviews, please visit www.aslaccess.org
9) Exhibitions
a) Libraries to display a collection of books, videos, and other library materials that are related to the language, culture and history of the deaf community in a prominent place, encouraging customers to check out those that are circulating.
b) Libraries may set up a schedule to demonstrate ASL videos as part of the exhibit, encouraging customers to check out those that are circulating. Examples of videos and their reviews can be found on the ASL Access Web Site www.aslaccess.org
10) Program promotional resources
a) Public media (e.g., TV, newspapers, library networks)
b) Eye-catching Deaf History Month posters you may design on your own
c) Handouts, such as a list of fiction books having deaf characters for children and young adults, Deaf American History Trivia, Notable Deaf Quotes and others
11) Proclamation for Governors, County Executives, and Mayors
Statements from the National Deaf History Month Resolution may be adapted to fit in the interest of local populations. Notable pioneers from the deaf community and historical deaf events on state or local level may be highlighted in the proclamation
12) Follow Up
We would love to hear the results of your program, of whatever size, so please send them to us via our contact form.
RESOURCES
1. Deaf Professional Services
Services listed below have bibliographies, products, programs, and/or services that may be helpful to the nation’s libraries in their programming and/or exhibiting plans for observing the month.
ASL Access Contact Chris Eixtrom, founder and CEO
Web Site http://www.aslaccess.org
Captioned Media Program of the National Association of the Deaf
Web Site: http://www.cfv.org
Gallaudet University Library Contact Tom Harrington, Librarian
Web Site: http://library.gallaudet.edu
Rochester Institute of Technology / Wallace Memorial Library / National Institute of the Deaf / Deaf Studies
Web Site: http://wally.rit.edu/internet/subject/deafness.html
1. Deaf Professional Services
Services listed below have bibliographies, products, programs, and/or services that may be helpful to the nation’s libraries in their programming and/or exhibiting plans for observing the month.
ASL Access Contact Chris Eixtrom, founder and CEO
Web Site http://www.aslaccess.org
Captioned Media Program of the National Association of the Deaf
Web Site: http://www.cfv.org
Gallaudet University Library Contact Tom Harrington, Librarian
Web Site: http://library.gallaudet.edu
Rochester Institute of Technology / Wallace Memorial Library / National Institute of the Deaf / Deaf Studies
Web Site: http://wally.rit.edu/internet/subject/deafness.html