National Deaf History Month is celebrated every March 13 to April 15 to honor the achievements of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is celebrated within this timeframe because of three notable events for the deaf community:
- On April 15, 1817, the first school for the deaf in the United States was founded: the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut.
- On April 8, 1864, the first university for the deaf and hard of hearing was founded: Gallaudet University.
- On March 13, 1988, the first deaf president of Gallaudet University was elected after a successful student protest: Irving King Jordan.
National Deaf History month started as the brainchild of two deaf employees of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington D.C. These employees began teaching their coworkers sign language, which developed into a deaf awareness week celebrated by the library. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) eventually caught on, and in 1996, it suggested that the week become a month-long holiday. 1997 saw the first nationally-celebrated National Deaf History Month.
You can celebrate the month by familiarizing yourself with American Sign Language. Check out this helpful tool provided by Gallaudet University to get started. Another way is to check out the National Association of the Deaf and their advocacy work to ensure equal rights for the deaf.
If you are looking for information about navigating your career development as a person who is deaf or wants to help, check out our Students with Disabilities Affinity Community and schedule an appointment with one of our career coaches through Handshake.
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