Beginning of the
Utah Deaf History Project
Kenneth L. Kinner
As a history lover, my official history project began in 2006 after learning about the general “Utah Deaf History,” particularly “The Deaf Education History in Utah” from my father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, Utah School for the Deaf alumnus of 1954 and deaf father of two deaf children, Deanne and Duane. His history telling opened my eyes and I was immediately fascinated with the Utah Deaf History. While exploring the untold history of the local Deaf community, he opened the gates to Utah’s rich Deaf History. Truth be told, Kenneth has a great memory in history and is an excellent story teller with much details!
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson
During the same year in October 2006, I met Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a long time deaf advocate for an interview at a Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD) Board meeting. While I had my pen and note ready to take notes, I asked him about his role as a deaf education advocate and his story about his involvement in controversies surrounding communication/educational methods as well as educational placement. When I asked more questions, he looked at me and basically said, “Do your homework. Check the UAD Bulletins, newspapers and etc.” It was an eye-opening and humbling experience. Thereafter, my project had began to evolve more into Utah Deaf History. Following Dr. Sanderson's homework tips, it increased my fascination with our local history, which led to the establishment of this website. Photo courtesy of the Gallaudet University Archives.
Eleanor McCowan
In 2008, Eleanor McCowan, UAD Board member asked that I work on the history book for the 2009 UAD 100th Anniversary and I believe it was supposed to be short, but I became fascinated with the historical events, which probably led me to dig deeper. Through her, my work has eventually been made in cooperation with UAD.
Jodi Becker Kinner
As an amateur historian, genealogist and archivist, I have voluntarily compiled all my Utah deaf historical research, mostly focusing on the 20th century events that significantly changed the Utah Deaf community. Since the founding of the Utah Association of the Deaf in 1909, this association advocated in the areas of auto insurance, traffic safety, telecommunication, interpreters, education, early intervention, employment, rehabilitation and much more. In fact, Robert G. Sanderson Community Center, Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, the expansion of interpreting services, and the establishment of Deaf Education with an emphasis in ASL/English Bilingual (then Total Communication) at Utah State University are the result of Utah Association for the Deaf leading the way.
For years, UAD has worked hard toward achieving equality in all aspects of Utah Deaf citizen’s lives and enabling them to function as well as to have an equal chance to live in this world as easily as a hearing person has. Now that we have available resources to access, this website is my humble attempt to give back to the community, particularly the UAD.
Ultimately, I am passionate about the Utah Deaf History, particularly the civil rights of the Utah Deaf community. I particularly enjoy studying history, law, policy and biography, which led to the result of this project. Since 2006, I have had the pleasure of doing the research and collecting the historical materials/photos/videos for historical preservation.
I’m also particularly interested in the history that surrounds Dr. Grant B. Bitter. He was an oral and mainstream education activist and he had a lasting impact in all aspects of the Utah Deaf community.
If it was not for my father-in-law’s history telling, Dr. Sanderson’s homework suggestion, and Eleanor’s request, this website would not have happened. Working on the Utah Deaf History has been an incredibility humbling experience. As I study the strength of Utah Deaf leaders through adversity, I’m forever indebted to them for making contributions for causes in our local community.
Jodi Becker Kinner
For years, UAD has worked hard toward achieving equality in all aspects of Utah Deaf citizen’s lives and enabling them to function as well as to have an equal chance to live in this world as easily as a hearing person has. Now that we have available resources to access, this website is my humble attempt to give back to the community, particularly the UAD.
Ultimately, I am passionate about the Utah Deaf History, particularly the civil rights of the Utah Deaf community. I particularly enjoy studying history, law, policy and biography, which led to the result of this project. Since 2006, I have had the pleasure of doing the research and collecting the historical materials/photos/videos for historical preservation.
I’m also particularly interested in the history that surrounds Dr. Grant B. Bitter. He was an oral and mainstream education activist and he had a lasting impact in all aspects of the Utah Deaf community.
If it was not for my father-in-law’s history telling, Dr. Sanderson’s homework suggestion, and Eleanor’s request, this website would not have happened. Working on the Utah Deaf History has been an incredibility humbling experience. As I study the strength of Utah Deaf leaders through adversity, I’m forever indebted to them for making contributions for causes in our local community.
Jodi Becker Kinner
"If we have no history, we have no future."
~Tristram Hunt~
~Tristram Hunt~