Beginning of the
Utah Deaf History Project
My official history project began in 2006, inspired by my Deaf father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, a 1954 alumnus of the Utah School for the Deaf and Deaf and father of two Deaf children, Deanne and Duane. His history-telling sparked my interest, and I became instantly immersed in Utah Deaf history.
Kenneth, a long-time member of the Utah Deaf community and a history enthusiast, opened the gate to Utah's rich Deaf history while researching the unwritten history of the local Deaf community. He had an excellent historical memory and was an outstanding storyteller with many details! Kenneth's captivating story and assistance in creating this website will live forever in my heart.
Kenneth, a long-time member of the Utah Deaf community and a history enthusiast, opened the gate to Utah's rich Deaf history while researching the unwritten history of the local Deaf community. He had an excellent historical memory and was an outstanding storyteller with many details! Kenneth's captivating story and assistance in creating this website will live forever in my heart.
Kenneth L. Kinner
In October of the same year, at a Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD) Board meeting, I interviewed Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a leader in the Utah Deaf Community. While I had my pen and note ready, I asked him about his work as a Deaf Education advocate and his involvement in controversies about communication/educational methods as well as educational placement. He shared some stories. When I kept asking questions, he looked at me and said, "Do your homework." Do your homework." Check the UAD Bulletins, newspapers, and other sources." It was a humbling and eye-opening experience.
My project then evolved into Utah Deaf History. Following Dr. Sanderson's homework advice ignited my interest in our community's history, leading to the creation of this website.
My project then evolved into Utah Deaf History. Following Dr. Sanderson's homework advice ignited my interest in our community's history, leading to the creation of this website.
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson @ Gallaudet University Archives
In 2008, Eleanor McCowan, a member of the Utah Association of the Deaf, asked me to work on a history book for the UAD's 100th anniversary. It was supposed to be short, but I became interested in the historical events, which drove me to investigate deeper. My work was eventually made in collaboration with UAD, thanks to her.
Eleanor McCowan
As a community historian, I have voluntarily compiled all of my Utah Deaf history research, focusing on events that shaped the Utah Deaf community in the twentieth century. Since its inception in 1909, the Utah Association of the Deaf has fought for civil rights in various fields, including auto insurance, traffic safety, telecommunications, interpreters, education, early intervention, employment, rehabilitation, and more. Moreover, the Utah Association of the Deaf played an essential role in establishing the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, the expansion of interpreting services, and the establishment of Deaf Education with an emphasis on ASL/English Bilingual (then Total Communication) at Utah State University.
For years, UAD has been at the forefront of civil rights activism and equal access in all aspects of Utah Deaf residents' lives, engaging in society and having an equal chance to live as efficiently as a hearing person. Making this resource available is my humble attempt to give back to the community, particularly the UAD.
For years, UAD has been at the forefront of civil rights activism and equal access in all aspects of Utah Deaf residents' lives, engaging in society and having an equal chance to live as efficiently as a hearing person. Making this resource available is my humble attempt to give back to the community, particularly the UAD.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Ultimately, I am passionate about Utah Deaf History, particularly the civil rights and social justice of the Utah Deaf community. I'm also passionate about women's studies, particularly how Deaf women impact their communities. Furthermore, researching political history and biographies, which is how this project came to be, has been a great learning experience. On top of that, I've had the privilege of conducting historical research and gathering a collection of historical materials, photographs, and films for historic preservation since 2006. While reading history, you will learn about the origins of our Utah Deaf community and the events that have brought us to the present. Given the increasing prevalence of cochlear implants and mainstreaming, I fervently wish that our Utah Deaf History will be preserved and appreciated.
I'm also fascinated by the history of Dr. Grant B. Bitter, a hard-core oralist. He was an outspoken promoter and champion for oral and mainstream education. His ideologies have had a long-term impact on the Deaf population in Utah. Our audism affects the Deaf community in everyday life in the same way that racism and sexism do. Audism refers to superiority based on one's ability to hear and speak or to behave like one who hears and speaks. In a nutshell, our Utah Deaf community has been subjected to audism throughout history, which includes language oppression, communication discrimination, bias toward oralism (now Listening and Spoken Language) rather than sign language, low expectations in deaf education for potential Deaf individuals, particularly in literacy development and employment, and negative stigma toward Deaf people who cannot speak and make decisions without Deaf representation. Utah's Deaf leaders fought audism by protecting their sign language, linguistic, and access rights through the Utah Association of the Deaf, the USDB's Advisory Council, the Utah State Board of Education, and legislative sessions.
Dr. Grant B. Bitter. The Utah Egale, October 1962
I doubt I would have written this history if it weren't for Dr. Bitter. I'm drawn to history that is intense, random, and unnerving. This history website isn't as rosy or flowery as some readers may assume. Learning the unpleasant history will enable us to discuss, listen, learn, and grow. In the words of UAD President G. Leon Curtis (1963-65 & 1967-69), "The [UAD] Bulletin is our best weapon. The pen is mightier than the sword" (Curtis, The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1965, p. 6). So true! I echo his sentiments whenever I write history. Knowledge is a powerful weapon. We must first acknowledge our history to advocate for our community and preserve its heritage. Along those lines, our progress with our accessibility rights, notably Deaf Education, could go backward if we do not pay attention or act quickly.
G. Leon Curtis. The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964
Come to think of it, what may have happened to the Utah Deaf community if the Utah Association of the Deaf and its Deaf leaders, particularly Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and W. David Mortensen, hadn't fought Dr. Bitter? Because they did fight, we now have three deaf schools with an emphasis on ASL/English bilingual education in three regions under the auspices of the Utah School for the Deaf, the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Interpreting Service, which we would not have if it weren't for them. "We'd still be living in the dark ages in Utah" if it hadn't been for those Deaf leaders, said Gene Stewart, CODA, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, at a hearing before the Utah State Board of Education on March 25, 1977, challenging the Utah School for the Deaf, which was dominated by the oral advocacy community (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, March 26, 1977).
Gene Stewart
Maya Angelou, my favorite American poet and civil rights activist, writes: "The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are." I totally agree with her. Personal liberty needs a thorough grasp of one's own history. As a parent, this phrase describes my experiences advocating for the educational needs of my two Deaf children, Joshua and Danielle. Without learning about the history of Deaf Education in Utah, I wouldn't have known how to advocate for them.
Maya Angelou @ NPR.org
While working on historical manuscripts, I strive to be objective regarding people's contributions to the community. People who defamed their work and wished for it to be forgotten have crossed my path. We can't change or erase history, no matter how flawed a person is. They deserve appreciation for their services.
Throughout history, I've included the big "D" of Deaf for all oral and signing individuals, much like other communities like Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, etc. The Deafhood Training taught that the big "D" applies to all Deaf people regardless of communication or educational background. It's part of their Deafhood journey and self-identity exploration.
This website would not exist if it hadn't been for my father-in-history-law's story, Dr. Sanderson's homework proposal, and Eleanor's request. Working on the Utah Deaf History project has been incredibly humbling. As I research the resilience of Utah Deaf leaders in the face of adversity, I'm forever grateful for their contributions to causes in our community.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Throughout history, I've included the big "D" of Deaf for all oral and signing individuals, much like other communities like Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, etc. The Deafhood Training taught that the big "D" applies to all Deaf people regardless of communication or educational background. It's part of their Deafhood journey and self-identity exploration.
This website would not exist if it hadn't been for my father-in-history-law's story, Dr. Sanderson's homework proposal, and Eleanor's request. Working on the Utah Deaf History project has been incredibly humbling. As I research the resilience of Utah Deaf leaders in the face of adversity, I'm forever grateful for their contributions to causes in our community.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Background Information
I grew up as an Air Force brat born in Germany. My educational background includes both oral schools and mainstream settings. I graduated from Gallaudet University with bachelor's and master's degrees in social work. Shortly after graduating in 2000 and moving to Utah, her husband Duane's native state, I became an ADA Accessibility Advisor at Salt Lake Community College.
The Kinner Family
Since 2000, I have served on the Utah Interpreter Certification Advisory Board, the JMS Utah Deaf Education and Literacy, Inc. Board, the USDB Institutional Council/Advisory Council, the Utah Deaf Education Core Group, the Utah Association of the Deaf, and the DWS/DSDHH Task Force. As a parent of two Deaf children, Joshua and Danielle, I have advocated for Deaf Education in Utah. This has led to my involvement in numerous educational committees, including the 2009 USDB Legislative Task Force sponsored by the Utah State Office of Education. In addition, as a representative of the Utah Association of the Deaf, I participated in the 2012 National Association of the Deaf’s first-ever Education Advocate Training Program.
My husband, Duane, attended the Utah School for the Deaf (USD). So did his parents, sister, aunts, uncles, and great-uncle. However, because of the declination of the USD in the 1980s due to oral and mainstreaming growth, Duane, as an 8th grader, transferred to the Idaho School for the Deaf, where he could get a better education. Upon graduating from Gallaudet University in 1999, he became a faculty member teaching Salt Lake Community College ASL classes.
My husband, Duane, attended the Utah School for the Deaf (USD). So did his parents, sister, aunts, uncles, and great-uncle. However, because of the declination of the USD in the 1980s due to oral and mainstreaming growth, Duane, as an 8th grader, transferred to the Idaho School for the Deaf, where he could get a better education. Upon graduating from Gallaudet University in 1999, he became a faculty member teaching Salt Lake Community College ASL classes.
"If we have no history, we have no future."
~Tristram Hunt~
~Tristram Hunt~