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 Deaf 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, as a longtime member of the Utah Deaf community and a history enthusiast, opened the gates to Utah’s rich Deaf History. Truth be told, Kenneth had a great memory in history and was an excellent storyteller 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 begun 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
Thereafter, my project had begun 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 a community historian, 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 been at the forefront of advocacy in civil rights and equal access in all aspects of Utah Deaf citizens' lives, enabling them to function in society, and have an equal chance to live in this world as efficiently as a hearing person has. Making this resource available 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 and social justice of the Utah Deaf community. I especially enjoy studying political history and biographies, 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 am also mainly interested in the history that surrounds Dr. Grant B. Bitter. He was a staunch oral and mainstream education advocate and activist. His ideology has had a lasting impact on all aspects of the Utah Deaf community. Throughout history, you will find that the Utah Deaf community has had been battling with audism such as communication barriers, discrimination, hostile attitudes, oppression, or a general lack of willingness to accommodate Deaf people and how it affected them.
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 been at the forefront of advocacy in civil rights and equal access in all aspects of Utah Deaf citizens' lives, enabling them to function in society, and have an equal chance to live in this world as efficiently as a hearing person has. Making this resource available 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 and social justice of the Utah Deaf community. I especially enjoy studying political history and biographies, 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 am also mainly interested in the history that surrounds Dr. Grant B. Bitter. He was a staunch oral and mainstream education advocate and activist. His ideology has had a lasting impact on all aspects of the Utah Deaf community. Throughout history, you will find that the Utah Deaf community has had been battling with audism such as communication barriers, discrimination, hostile attitudes, oppression, or a general lack of willingness to accommodate Deaf people and how it affected them.
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
Background Information
The Kinner Family
I was born in Germany and raised as an Air Force brat. My educational background includes 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 which is her husband, Duane's native state, I became an ADA Accessibility Advisor at Salt Lake Community College.
Since 2000, I have served on the Utah Interpreter Certification Advisory Board, JMS Utah Deaf Education and Literacy, Inc. Board, USDB Institutional Council/Advisory Council, Utah Deaf Education Core Group, Utah Association of the Deaf and DWS/DSDHH Task Force. As a parent of two Deaf children, Joshua and Danielle, I have been an advocate 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. As 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. Because of 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 his graduation from Gallaudet University in 1999, he became a faculty member teaching ASL classes at Salt Lake Community College.
Since 2000, I have served on the Utah Interpreter Certification Advisory Board, JMS Utah Deaf Education and Literacy, Inc. Board, USDB Institutional Council/Advisory Council, Utah Deaf Education Core Group, Utah Association of the Deaf and DWS/DSDHH Task Force. As a parent of two Deaf children, Joshua and Danielle, I have been an advocate 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. As 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. Because of 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 his graduation from Gallaudet University in 1999, he became a faculty member teaching ASL classes at Salt Lake Community College.
"If we have no history, we have no future."
~Tristram Hunt~
~Tristram Hunt~