History of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

History of the Robert G. Sanderson
Community Center of the
Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney

Published in 2012
Updated in 2024

Author’s Note

I have had the pleasure of documenting the history of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which serves as a cherished hub for the Deaf community in Utah. My family and I are regular visitors to the community center, and we consider it our second home. The center has been the source of countless treasured memories, and its absence would leave a significant void in our lives.

I am deeply grateful to leaders like Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and W. David Mortensen, who, as part of the Utah Association for the Deaf, dedicated forty years— from 1962 to 1992—to establishing this community center through legislation. They, along with the Utah Association for the Deaf, initiated a successful campaign to secure the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing through the Utah Office of Education and the Utah legislature. Their unwavering commitment has transformed our lives and significantly enhanced our quality of life through the activities, services, and training they have provided.

This webpage does not intend to duplicate the content of Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's book, "A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing." Instead, this history addresses the gaps in understanding, specifically the challenges the Utah Deaf community faced with state authorities regarding the community center. It also discusses Dr. Grant B. Bitter's objections to the services provided and W. David Mortensen's strong advocacy for the center. This post seeks to help readers better understand how Deaf leaders overcame these obstacles to establish the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

When writing about individuals for our history website, I choose to use their first name to acknowledge all individuals who contribute to and advocate for our community's causes. Our patriarchal culture often expects to recognize women's advocacy, contributions, and achievements using their husbands' last names instead of their own. However, in the spirit of inclusivity, equality, and recognizing each individual's unique identity, I have decided to use their first names throughout the website. This decision reaffirms our commitment to these values and highlights the significant role of women's advocacy in our community.

Our organization, previously known as the Utah Association for the Deaf, changed its name to the Utah Association of the Deaf in 2012. The association was known as the Utah Association of the Deaf from 1909 to 1962. The association changed its name to the Utah Association for the Deaf in 1963. Finally, in 2012, the association reverted to its previous name, the Utah Association of the Deaf. When writing the history website, I use both "of" and "for" to reflect the different eras of the association's history.

Thank you for taking an interest in this topic.

Enjoy!
Jodi Becker Kinner

Acknowledgement

I am grateful to Eleanor McCowan for making me work on the Utah Deaf History project, which I gladly accepted. None of this would have happened if it hadn't been for her request.

We incorporated further information from Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's "A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" book. Thank you, Dr. Sanderson, for making my job a lot easier.

Eugene W. Petersen deserves credit for writing and publishing articles about establishing services for Deaf adults and supporting its mission.

Thanks to Marilyn Tiller Call for taking the time to review this material.

I sincerely appreciate W. David Mortensen's enthusiastic support while working on this project.

Valerie G. Kinney's invaluable assistance in editing and providing consultation direction while preparing this paper is recognized and gratefully appreciated.

Finally, I am indebted to my spouse, Duane Kinner, and my children, Joshua and Danielle, for their unwavering support and patience while I worked to complete this project.

Source: Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's "A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" book, 2004

A Gathering Place of their Own

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, affectionately known as "Sandie" and "Bob" to his friends, played a significant role in the life and work of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The center's origins are also traced back to the advocacy efforts of the Utah Deaf community. Dr. Sanderson's book, "A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing," describes how the idea of a gathering place for the Utah Deaf community first originated during the Utah Association of the Deaf Convention in 1946. This was Bob's first convention, and he witnessed Deaf people passionately discussing having their own "Club for the Deaf," where they could set their own rules and gather at their convenience. Inspired by the presence of deaf clubs in most major cities, the Utah Deaf community questioned why Utah didn't have one. The author, Bob, was unconcerned about their idea, as he was living in Nevada at the time (Sanderson, 2004, 1-2). Nonetheless, his book sheds light on these early discussions and the eventual realization of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a place that would significantly impact the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

Sandie also mentioned that the Deaf community in Utah had been coming together for years for socials, parties, sporting events, and other activities. However, they often found themselves in a position where they had to "beg for time and space." They had to make do with whatever time, date, and place were available, not necessarily the ones they preferred. They would book various locations, such as a hotel ballroom, a local auditorium, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind gymnasium, and the Murray B. Allen Center for the Blind. Each location presented unique challenges and restrictions, such as adhering to the 'in by seven, leave by nine' rule and paying an additional fee to the janitor for extended stays. While the Utah Deaf community would have preferred their own gathering place, they were grateful for the cooperation of the Blind individuals and their leaders in using their facility (Sanderson, 2004, 1-2).

Robert G. Sanderson

Possible Factors that Prevented Activism

In light of this, Dr. Sanderson proposed the theory that four potential factors prevented the Deaf community from accessing the "club for the Deaf."

The Deaf adult population was unable to maintain a financially independent facility.
The dominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, actively discouraged the use of alcohol among the Deaf adult population. Activists from other states would sell alcohol to support the club.
Many Deaf people had an "eight to five" production job to make a living and maintain a family, leaving them little time to interact with high-level professionals in education, community agencies, or the legislature. Many Deaf individuals could not afford to leave their jobs to pursue careers in politics. Only a small percentage of Deaf professionals received compensation for their participation in non-work-related community activities.
There was a shortage of trained Deaf leaders who could communicate Deaf people's needs to the hearing majority with the authority and money to make things happen (Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Sanderson also recognized Deaf people's potential to lead in various Deaf organizations, including the Utah Association of the Deaf, local divisions of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf, and others. However, he noted that they could benefit from more specific training to enhance their leadership skills, overcome their fears, and effectively communicate with the leaders of the hearing power structure (Sanderson, 2004).

Trained Utah Deaf Leaders

Things were about to change when Utah Deaf leaders, including Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, who moved to Utah from Nevada in 1947, observed two national Deaf leaders, Gallaudet College graduates Dr. Boyce R. Williams and Dr. Malcolm Norwood, being able to communicate with hearing leaders of the power structure. Dr. Sanderson, a respected advocate for the Deaf community, was instrumental in facilitating communication and ensuring that the concerns of the Deaf community were heard. As the Director of the Office of Deafness in the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration under the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Dr. Williams, a good friend of Robert Sanderson, reached the administration's highest levels with a convincing message. He also brought public attention to the concerns of Deaf and hard of hearing people, who had received little attention for years. In contrast, other people with disabilities in the United States received more attention. Dr. Norwood, Director of the Office of Deaf Captioned Films, went above and beyond to educate top-level officials in the Department of Education about the importance of captioned films for Deaf people (Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Williams and Dr. Norwood worked tirelessly to address the accessibility needs of the general Deaf population, focusing mainly on the Utah Deaf community. Their efforts not only inspired but also empowered Deaf leaders in Utah. They encouraged these leaders to enhance their legislative leadership and communication skills, allowing them to serve the needs of Deaf adults better.

This initiative is a significant part of the history of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, where Dr. Williams and Dr. Norwood acted as guiding figures for Utah Deaf leaders. They conducted workshops on various deaf-related topics at local, regional, and national levels. Many residents of Utah took this opportunity to learn more about themselves and their accessibility needs (Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Boyce R. Williams. Source: From Oaks to Acorns: Promoting Deaf Youth Leadership Through Multigenerational Engagement

Dr. Boyce R. Williams' letter, 1964

Boyce R. Williams (center) received the first Daniel T. Cloud Memorial Award for Leadership in a special ceremony in conjunction with commencement exercises at San Fernando Valley State College. Dr. Ray L. Jones, (left) Director of the Leadership Training Program in the Area of the Deaf which sponsors the award, made the presentation. Robert Sanderson (right) president of the National Association of the Deaf, was present for the ceremony. Source: The Utah Eagle, November 1968

The National Leadership Training Program in the Area of the Deaf, which symbolized inclusivity, was established at San Fernando Valley State College (later renamed California State University at Northridge) in California in 1962. The program received funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration and aimed to address the social, educational, and economic issues Deaf individuals face by providing comprehensive training and support. The college made history as the first in the United States to hire full-time sign language interpreters in a graduate program. Many Deaf and hard of hearing individuals applied to the program, with a balanced representation of five Deaf and ten hearing individuals. The selection process for the LTP Class of 1965 was rigorous, requiring applicants to demonstrate a strong commitment to the Deaf community and a clear vision for their future involvement. One of the Deaf applicants, Robert G. Sanderson from Utah, met these criteria and joined the program (The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964; Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Malcolm Norwood, Director of the Office of Captioned Films for the Deaf

Observation of the National Deaf Club

At that time, the Deaf community was trying to create a Deaf club. However, a lack of leadership experience and resources made progress difficult. They wanted to establish a Deaf club and service agency to help address the social, educational, and economic issues Deaf individuals face, similar to existing clubs in larger cities. This struggle highlighted the challenges that the Deaf community was dealing with.

Dr. Sanderson, during his tenure as president of the National Association of the Deaf, visited various clubs that catered to the social interaction needs of Deaf individuals. These clubs offered activities such as cards, captioned movies, sports, chatting, and parties, serving as crucial social and recreational outlets for the Deaf community. The primary sources of revenue for these clubs were liquor and food sales, and some had purchased their own run-down structures. Dr. Sanderson noted that many club members expressed concerns about lacking employment opportunities, mental health services, and other essential needs. He observed that the club leaders lacked the necessary training to address the needs of the Deaf individuals they served directly. Additionally, Dr. Sanderson highlighted the absence of comprehensive Deaf centers in newsletters and publications across the country.

On a more positive note, professional publications actively advocated for the need for psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers who were fluent in sign language and could effectively communicate with Deaf people. Dr. Sanderson partnered with Dr. Boyce Williams through the Rehabilitation Services Administration to organize and fund a series of workshops addressing these pressing issues. The ultimate goal was to establish a nationwide deaf rehabilitation program in each state, a significant step towards a more inclusive future for the Deaf community.

Robert G. Sanderson, after whom the Deaf Center was named, served as the president of the National Association of the Deaf from 1964 to 1968. The September 1966 issue of the Deaf American magazine features a photo of him shaking hands with Dr. Boyce R. Williams, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consultant at the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration in Washington, D.C. At the convention banquet in San Francisco, California, Robert G. Sanderson announced the award and presented the first National Association of the Deaf Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Boyce R. Williams. Source: The Deaf American, September 1966. The photo was taken by Floyd Barlow.

Utah Association of the Deaf
Officers Becomes Activists

During a period of national change, the Deaf Utahns, in a display of proactive initiative, launched a lobbying effort to secure rehabilitative programs for themselves. This group of advocates, which included Robert G. Sanderson, Eugene W. Petersen, and G. Leon Curtis, officers of the Utah Association of the Deaf, were not content to wait for change; they were determined to make it happen (Sanderson, 2004).

The three Utah Association of the Deaf officers, Sandie, Eugene, and Leon, demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment in spearheading the planning process. Their efforts, which began in 1962, aimed to establish a full-time office to serve the Deaf people of Utah. Their primary concern was Deaf adults' inability to access necessary services, and their goal was to ensure Utah's state provided more adequate and accessible social services. The communication barriers made it practically impossible for Deaf adults to receive the services they needed (The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965).

Eugene W. Petersen. Source: The Utah Eagle, April 1955

In Utah, Deaf leaders requested that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation develop services for Deaf adults. They proposed that personnel should divide their time between vocational rehabilitation and social services, with a focus on meeting the accessibility needs of the Deaf community. Their vision for social services included counseling, interpreting, and support in legal, personal, social, emotional, marriage, family, financial, and educational matters. They emphasized the importance of having qualified personnel proficient in sign language and understanding Deaf culture, who could effectively communicate with and assist Deaf adults in addressing issues and deprivations faced by the Utah Deaf community, such as language deprivations and education and employment issues. Furthermore, the leaders stressed that the proposed agency would only intervene in personal problems if requested and if the issues were beyond individuals' ability to handle independently. They clarified that they did not intend to replace, duplicate, or interfere with the activities of existing Utah Deaf community organizations (The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965).

G. Leon Curtis. Source: UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964

The Utah Association of the Deaf initiated a campaign to comprehensively research the issues faced by Deaf adults in the social service system. They emphasized the importance of documenting the need for services for Deaf adults and conducting a thorough examination to efficiently and cost-effectively provide them. Sandie, Eugene, and Leon quickly developed a strategy to seek assistance from the Salt Lake Area United Fund in establishing social services for the Deaf. Meanwhile, Sandie was getting ready to depart from Utah for the National Leadership Training Program in the Deaf Area of California, and he entrusted Eugene and Leon to initiate the process (Sanderson, 2004).

Did You Know?

By 1963, most Deaf adults who were born deaf had used hearing aids, mastered lip reading, and learned to speak before acquiring a formal language. They faced significant challenges due to "mental starvation," a result of language deprivation. Consequently, they struggled with their speech and language skills. While they sought services to help them cope with their hearing loss, they rarely engaged with traditional vocational rehabilitation services. Instead, what they truly needed was support in transitioning to life as Deaf adults. This included personal adjustment services, vocational training, counseling, and job placement assistance.

The Deaf adults were not necessarily interested in hearing and speech services, which is a common misunderstanding. Many professionals and laypeople mistakenly conflate Oral Deaf individuals with the millions of hard of hearing people. In contrast, those who were hard of hearing primarily communicated using their residual hearing abilities. Individuals who gradually lose their hearing do not form a distinct group. With hearing aids, people learned to speak and understand language. The most common treatments they sought were hearing aids, lip reading, speech correction, and training to enhance their hearing (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963, p. 3).

A Study Committee Under the
Community Services Council Forms

The Utah Association for the Deaf submitted a request for admission to the Salt Lake Area United Fund as a participating member, aiming to draw attention to the lack of accessible services that negatively impact Deaf adults. The United Fund staff were very interested in the issues brought up by the Deaf leaders. The fund's admissions committee discussed and favored pursuing more research on the problems, including the association's request to record the number of Deaf adults needing services and thoroughly assess the most cost-effective and efficient ways to meet their needs. As a result, the committee developed the study and made recommendations. The United Fund's admissions committee referred the study task to the Community Services Council, the fund's organizer, for further investigation. In March 1963, the Community Services Council agreed to propose a project, which they presented in December of the same year. A study committee under the Community Services Council also accepted the task of looking into all community agencies and seeing if they could provide the needed services for Deaf adults in the state of Utah (Petersen, The Silent Worker, December 1963; The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963).

Furthermore, the Community Services Council, in a display of collective commitment, coordinated 87 public and volunteer organizations to address the health, welfare, and recreation needs of Utah's half-million people. The chair of the Study Committee, Dr. Lawrence D. Schroder, delivered the study's conclusion, which included recommendations for establishing a service within an existing public or volunteer program to meet the needs of Deaf people. This conclusion was the result of several organizations working together to make the new services more accessible to Deaf adults (Petersen, The Silent Worker, December 1963).

Darell J. Vorwaller, an assistant executive of the Community Services Council, formed a study committee consisting of fourteen Deaf and hearing individuals to investigate the challenges faced by Deaf adults and explore potential integration into an existing organization that represents a diverse range of community interests. The committee selected Larry W. Blake, personnel manager for Ajax Pressing Machine Co., one of the area's largest employers of Deaf workers, as its chairman. Members of the committee included G. Harold Bradley, Adult Evening School; Philip R. Clinger, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Marguerite Davis, Salt Lake County Department of Public Welfare; Clarence O. Fingerle, Salt Lake Country General Hospital; Vera Gee, Utah State Department of Health; Madeleine Helfrey, Department of Special Education, University of Utah; C. Russell Neale, Community Mental Health Center; R. Elwood Pace, State Department of Public Instruction; Ray G. Wenger (Hard of Hearing), Governor's Advisory Council of the Utah School for the Deaf; Brigham E. Roberts, Harvey S. Eugene W. Petersen (Deaf) and Jerry Westberg (Deaf) represented the Utah Association for the Deaf. Eula Pusey served as an interpreter (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963; Petersen, The Silent Worker, December 1963; The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1964; Sanderson, 2004).

Ray G. Wenger, member of the Community Services Council committee

During the year of 1963, the Study Committee met on a weekly basis. They spent a significant amount of time studying the challenges Deaf adults faced. The publication of a detailed 22-page report on "Services to Adult Deaf, Salt Lake Area" marked a significant milestone in implementing efforts to provide services, a recognized aspect of life in a metropolis, particularly for Deaf adults in the Salt Lake area (Petersen, The Silent Worker, December 1963). The committee report gained widespread attention, and around 100 copies were requested for a national workshop for social workers held in Berkeley, California, on November 18–22, 1963 (Sanderson, 2004).

Jerry Westberg, member of the Community Services Council committee

Study Results in Recommendations
for Community Services
in the Salt Lake Area for Deaf Adults

Eugene W. Petersen, a member of the Study Committee and a board member of the Utah Association for the Deaf, advocated for social services to support the Deaf community. In the December 1963 issue of The Silent Worker, he emphasized that the Utah Association for the Deaf sought assistance primarily due to the lack of accessible services for Deaf adults. The main goal was to ensure that community services were readily available and accessible to Deaf individuals, free from communication barriers.

To address this issue, the committee gathered data from Deaf adults as well as health and welfare agencies to identify the needs of approximately 300 Deaf adults in the area. The findings revealed that these individuals encountered significant challenges in accessing community services due to communication barriers despite expressing a strong desire for those services.

It was evident that most services for Deaf adults were either exclusively accessible to children or provided through speech and hearing centers. This disparity in the services offered to Deaf adults compared to children was unjust. The emphasis on speech and hearing services, which were not very beneficial for Deaf adults, worsened the situation. Additionally, a lack of convenient and accessible communication made the counseling services ineffective (Petersen, The Silent Worker, December 1963).

As summarized in the following section, Eugene W. Petersen's article in The Silent Worker from December 1963 provides a thorough overview of the committee's findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Utah Deaf leaders referred to Deaf adults as "Adult Deaf," underscoring the differences in language and vocabulary from the 1960s.

Services for Adult Deaf Urged. Source: The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963

Eugene W. Petersen's
Summary of Findings and Conclusions
for Deaf Adult Services

"Adult deaf persons represent a group for whom community services, although available, cannot be readily rendered. The barrier obstructing the provision of such services on an equitable basis with that of the hearing population is the inability of the persons requesting the services to communicate with those who offer the services. This is particularly true of casework and psychological or psychiatric services, which are dependent upon the flow of free and spontaneous communication between client and worker or therapist. Because of the communication barrier afflicting the deaf handicapped person, he is more prone to the development of social and emotional problems than are hearing persons, and this difficulty is intensified by the inability of professional persons to render needed services. Although the number of persons who would use these services in Salt Lake County in any one year cannot be documented, it would be a sizable proportion of the 296 estimated adult deaf persons residing in the county.
In the process of seeking professional help with social and emotional problems, deaf persons realize little success in finding the desired services, either from community health and welfare agencies or from speech and hearing services as presently constituted. In a survey of deaf persons, it was disclosed that while over half of the persons represented in the survey are concerned with personal, social and emotional problems for which they desire professional help, one-third actually seek professional services, and only one-fifth receive a limited degree of satisfaction in the services rendered. Speech and hearing services are designed primarily to meet the needs of hard of hearing children and adults and deaf children, and fall short of meeting the need for social and emotional adjustment services for the adult deaf.
Of the nine agencies and departments designated as carrying some responsibility for serving the deaf and hard of hearing, none, with the exception of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, reported the provision of social and emotional adjustment services. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation services are oriented to the gainful employment of those persons accepted as clients, and therefore, cannot serve deaf persons unless there is an indicated feasibility of gainful employment resulting from services rendered. Six of these nine agencies and departments limit their services to children.
Other problems revealed by the survey to be of primary concern to the adult deaf, were management of finances and legal matters. These were followed by employment difficulties and health problems, with emotional problems often complicating the picture. Again, the basic problem is that of com-munication. The agencies reporting indicated that the accessibility of services to the adult deaf was conditional upon the extent to which communication did not significantly interfere with the rendering of services effectively. Nearly all of the 27 agencies indicated that services are available on this basis. Ten agencies not identical with those referred to in the preceding paragraph, indicated that contacts had been made by adult deaf in search of services.
The Salt Lake County Department of Public Welfare rendered the largest number of services to adult deaf in 1962, the majority of whom had become deaf in later years. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation served the next largest number of adult deaf. The other agencies reporting served from one to five persons on an irregular basis.
Adult deaf persons were nearly unanimous regarding the felt need for Adult Education courses, provided that appropriate arrangements could be made to overcome the communication barrier. Adult Education courses for adult deaf have a great potential in serving as one of the approaches in assisting the deaf to acquire a better understanding of themselves, their families, and the community, thus enhancing better social and emotional adjustment" (Petersen, The Silent Worker, December 1963, p. 3-4).

Eugene W. Petersen, 'Community Services For Salt Lake Area Deaf Near Realization.' Source: The Silent Worker, December 1963

Eugene W. Petersen's
Summary of Recommendations
for Deaf Adult Services

It is recommended:

"That a service be established as a part of an existing public or voluntary agency in the Salt Lake area to render personal, social and emotional adjustment services to the adult deaf. The Family Service Society, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the University of Utah Rehabilitation Center were considered as agencies which might logically provide such services. To meet manifest needs, the service should be designed to provide counseling or casework services in matters related to family, child behavior, personal, marital, budgeting, legal, employment relations and related problems, with provision for referral to sources of other services, when needed. An advisory committee, consisting of deaf and hearing persons, should be appointed by the agency in which the service is lodged, in order to assist in giving direction to the program.
That a person be emploved by the designated agency who would be capable of communicating manually and orally with the deaf. Immediate needs suggest that the services of a skilled interpreter be employed in this position on a temporary basis until the ultimate objective of a professional social worker, skilled in communication with the deaf, can be achieved.
That the broad obiective of the service be that of bringing about in the community an adequate social and emotional adjustment of the deaf, to enhance an integration of persons with this handicap into the total community.
That services be clearly identified as a service for the deaf, for the purpose of enabling the development of public understanding of the service and of problems of the deaf.
That the Graduate School of Social Work of the University of Utah be encouraged to recruit a student skilled in communication with the deaf by virtue of his background, such as the child of deaf parents, and that an appropriate stipend be awarded to underwrite the cost of training.
That the State Division of Adult Education cooperate with the Utah Association for the Deaf in developing, on an experimental basis, classes for adult deaf, including such subjects as English, money management, mathematics, arts and crafts, vocational training, business and commercial courses, etc.
That all health, welfare, and leisure time service agencies make effort to make appropriate services more accessible to the deaf. To this end, agencies should become better acquainted with the problems of deafness and develop special provisions needed in order to make services available to the deaf" (Petersen, The Silent Worker, December 1963, p. 3-4).

The Community Services Council
Highlights the Challenges Faced by Deaf Adults

The Community Services Council in Utah has identified several significant concerns regarding support for Deaf adults, which are as follows:

Communicating with family, friends, and professionals can be difficult for a Deaf individual.
A Deaf individual had difficulty understanding information about arrangements and plans of action.
It was challenging to train a Deaf person due to communication barriers.
Counseling services were entirely verbal understandings. The success of which was dependent on freedom of communication. This presents challenges while working with Deaf people.
The lack of accessible communication was a concern. In recent years, several Deaf consumers known to agencies had not been in therapy for long. This could be due to a lack of experience dealing with Deaf adults or to the Deaf person's inability to be introspective or to participate in a casework relationship.
The communication barrier limited Deaf people's ability to engage in social activities.
Training people who were deaf in lipreading is difficult.
It was challenging to obtain family health information in the cases found by public health nurses.
Deaf parents struggled with teaching their hearing children to speak. Discipline issues emerged due to a breakdown in communication between the parent and the child.
The communication barrier made it difficult to give hearing evaluations.
Deaf people lacked knowledge of using community resources that provide health and social services (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963, p. 4).

Twenty-seven agencies reported that, although the Deaf population had access to various services, communication barriers significantly hindered the quality of those services (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963).

The Utah Association for the Deaf noted that the main challenge for Deaf individuals was not the inability to hear or speak but rather a lack of language. Developing a functional vocabulary was the primary focus of Deaf education. Learning to speak and read lips took time, and regardless of the educational methods used, Deaf children typically lag behind their hearing peers by three to four years. The lack of auditory access to language in various aspects of life worsened this language deprivation into adulthood. Consequently, language deprivation significantly impacted the average Deaf adult's ability to understand social, economic, political, cultural, and humanitarian aspects of modern society (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963).

Larry W. Blake, left, received the first UAD Award from President G. Leon Curtis at the 21st Biennial Convention of the Utah Association for the Deaf. Miss Dixie Lee Nastfell served as the ceremony's interpreter. The award, a beautifully engraved silver tray, was awarded to Larry W. Blake in appreciation for his efforts on behalf of the Utah Deaf community. Source: UAD Bulletin, Fall 1965

In 1965, a study concluded that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation was the most suitable organization to lead the implementation of adequate services for the deaf. This division, operating through local district offices, provided comprehensive statewide services and employed a diverse team of specialized professionals with a proven track record in working with individuals with disabilities (The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965).

After two months of consideration, the Community Services Council presented its findings to the Utah State Board of Education. Although necessary, the proposed budget would significantly expand services for Deaf adults in Utah, addressing a pressing need in the community. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Administration recognized the urgency of the situation and enthusiastically supported the plan (The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965).

Did You Know?

The 1963 listing of agency services for Deaf adults did not include the Utah Association for the Deaf because it was a membership organization rather than an agency that provided professional services to specific consumers. Additionally, the association operated a public awareness campaign to educate people about hearing loss and addressed many social and recreational needs of Deaf individuals through its membership activities (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963, p. 3).

Lobbying the 1965 Utah State Legislature
for Services to the Deaf Adults

The local Deaf leaders eventually realized that creating an ideal 'deaf club' was not financially feasible. They showed strategic thinking and adaptability by shifting their focus. Instead, they began collaborating with the Utah legislature to secure funding for deaf services through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

These leaders, including UAD President G. Leon Curtis, made significant personal sacrifices during the 1965 Utah State Legislature session. They took time off from work without pay, accompanying President Curtis to the Utah State Capitol. They aimed to meet with Governor Calvin L. Rampton and lobby the legislature for funding. Eugene W. Petersen, Joseph B. Burnett, Ned C. Wheeler, and interpreter Eula Pusey were among these dedicated advocates for the Utah Deaf community (Curtis, The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965; Sanderson, 2004).

Joseph B. Burnett

However, the Legislative Budget Committee received excessive budget requests, leading to the state's inability to fulfill all of them. The committee had to make some cuts, resulting in the unfortunate elimination of funding for deaf services (The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965).

The Utah Association for the Deaf showed unwavering determination in their advocacy efforts. They tirelessly met with members of the State Legislature, including Representatives Della L. Loveridge (D-Salt Lake), Nathaniel D. Clark (D-Ogden), and Earl H. Whittaker (R-Circleville), who prepared and introduced a bill. Governor Rampton and several legislators and senators were present. Additionally, many Deaf individuals wrote letters to their local legislators, urging the financing of services (The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965).

Despite the bill not being voted on, the Utah Association for the Deaf's strategic approach proved successful when the influential Joint Appropriations Committee reevaluated and approved the funding request for deaf services (The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965).

Ned C. Wheeler

To take action, the influential Joint Appropriations Committee allocated $10,000 to the Department of Public Instruction for "straight" social services aimed at Deaf adults. This marked a significant step forward, demonstrating the government's recognition of the need for specialized services for the Deaf community (UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965; Sanderson, 2004). At the time, this was a substantial amount of money, and the federal government matched it with $26,713 to build a new office for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (UAD Bulletin, Fall 1966).

Moreover, the Utah Association for the Deaf successfully advocated for improved services for Deaf adults. They collaborated with the Salt Lake Area United Fund, the Community Services Council, and the State Legislature to achieve this. This partnership highlighted widespread support and the importance of accessible services for the Deaf community. Throughout the process, the Utah Association for the Deaf also forged relationships with hearing community members, further strengthening their advocacy efforts.

Notably, the Utah Association for the Deaf made it clear that they were not seeking special treatment for the Deaf community. Instead, they wanted equal consideration for equal contributions. They only demanded that Deaf individuals obtain the same opportunities and assistance as their hearing counterparts, asking nothing more. Deaf individuals often faced more significant challenges and required additional support in a complex and competitive society (UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965).

Legislature Okehs Funds for Services for the Adult Deaf. Source: The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965

Robert G. Sanderson Appoints
as the First State Coordinator of Services
to Deaf People in Utah and the United States

When funds became available on July 30, 1965, the Utah Merit System Council announced the creation of a new position in the Department of Public Instruction, named Coordinator, Adult Deaf Services. At the time, Dr. Vaughn Hall was the state administrator of the Division of Rehabilitation (Sanderson, 2004).

Robert G. Sanderson. Source: UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, the president of the National Association of the Deaf and a recent graduate with a master's degree in educational administration, was an excellent choice for the newly created position of Coordinator of Adult Deaf Services (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965). His application for the role received strong support from the Utah Deaf community and marked a significant turning point. Dr. Sanderson had a clear vision for the position: "I saw this as an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the Deaf community in Utah."

His appointment at the Atlas Building, located at 36 West Second South in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 15, 1965, marked not only a change in leadership but also a significant shift that resonated throughout the Utah Deaf community. It symbolized a new era of hope and determination. At the beginning of 1965, Bob Sanderson, serving as a state coordinator in collaboration with Rehabilitation, led advocacy efforts to establish a community center for the Deaf and a specialized rehabilitation unit for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, demonstrating his impactful leadership.

Over the years, Dr. Sanderson became a prominent figure in statewide Deaf Services in Utah, serving as a rehabilitation counselor, coordinator, and director. He earned the title of the "Father of Vocational Rehabilitation." Today, the Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Utah, which is part of the Department of Workforce Services, is located at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center, continuing Dr. Sanderson's legacy. This center provides services for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Late Deafened. It assists them in seeking employment and offers access to workshops, technology, and other resources.

Bob, a man known for his remarkable humility, played a crucial role in developing programs to rehabilitate Deaf adults in Utah. His historic appointment as the first Deaf person to serve as the Deaf Adults Services Coordinator for the Utah State Board of Education marked a significant milestone. Over four decades, he tirelessly advocated for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Utah. Many of the services available to the Deaf community today are a testament to his original ideas. These include the expansion of job opportunities for Deaf individuals, the provision of interpreting services to meet the communication accessibility needs of the Deaf community, and the establishment of a Deaf Center that offers various services and resources for Utah's Deaf residents (Deseret News, September 26, 2003). According to Trotter, Bob credited much of his success to his friends, who helped pave the way for him (Trotter, The Ogden Standard Examiner, January 2, 2011).

Program for Better Services to the Adult Deaf Becomes Reality. Source: The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965

Under the leadership of Robert G. Sanderson, the establishment of social services for the deaf within the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation during the 1960s was a significant milestone. Dr. Boyce Williams, Dr. Mary Switzer, and others in Washington, D.C., promptly acknowledged Utah's success in the rehabilitation of Deaf individuals. This rapid recognition resulted in other state rehabilitation departments adopting Utah's methods, highlighting Utah's pioneering role in this field (Sanderson, 2004).

Source: Program for Better Services to the Adult Deaf, January 1965

One-Year Anniversary of
Services to Deaf Adults

In the fall of 1966, the Services for Deaf Adults marked their first anniversary. Dr. Sanderson and his team, including secretary Mildred Richardson, were overwhelmed by the work. Previously, the Utah Division of Vocational Rehabilitation handled approximately eleven deaf and hard of hearing people per year. When Dr. Sanderson started working, word spread that he spoke their language and soon had ninety-four clients. Communication barriers denied many Deaf and hard of hearing people the assistance they needed. After Dr. Sanderson resolved the matter, he had a lot of work ahead of him (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1966). He served in two capacities: social services and rehabilitative services. His new job was demanding. He worked in rehabilitation, counseling, training, job placement, adult education, sign language workshops, and advocating for captioned films (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1966). The Services for Deaf Adults also provided support for families of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, including counseling and educational resources.

Despite his numerous challenges and setbacks, Dr. Sanderson found his position to be the most rewarding of his career. In the Fall 1966 issue of the UAD Bulletin, he expressed his admiration for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities, stating, "I enjoy working with these people. The vast majority are capable, self-reliant, and a credit to the community. Some of them need guidance and some additional training; others may need only a chance; they all need more understanding. The one thing they don't need or want is sympathy. The office is here to work with deaf adults and to help when needed. But it was not and never intended to be done for them" (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1966).

Robert G. Sanderson (center), mid 1960s

The Growth in Rehabilitation Service

Eugene W. Petersen, president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, noted the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services had been a beacon of hope for Deaf adults in Utah over the past two years, from 1965 to 1967. The number of new consumers receiving rehabilitation treatment had soared to 135, with 15 or 16 more eagerly awaiting their turn. This positive impact had not gone unnoticed, with the Utah State Legislature approving funding for a second counselor and an office assistant. The legislature also took a significant step by passing legislation to provide interpreters for Deaf people in court, relieving Dr. Sanderson, as a service coordinator, of the burden of searching for an interpreter for a court (The UAD Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1967).

The Utah Association for the Deaf had been a welcoming home for the majority of Deaf consumers who were new to the community. These individuals, who had no exposure to sign language and little chance of becoming part of the Utah Deaf community, found a place where they were understood and their needs were met. They finally had the assistance they needed (The UAD Bulletin, Spring–Summer 1967). At the time, many of these Deaf people had multiple disabilities. The Utah School for the Deaf had over a third of its students with various disabilities (The UAD Bulletin, Spring–Summer 1967). Furthermore, the number of young Deaf adults seeking rehabilitative services grew. Training, counseling, and placement proved challenging (UAD Bulletin, Fall 1966).

Robert G. Sanderson, Coordinator of the Deaf Services. Source: UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968

The assumption was that the state would provide care for Deaf individuals, eliminating the need for the Utah Association for the Deaf. However, this was a misconception. Dr. Sanderson argued that anyone who believes the "state will take care of us" is mistaken. People expected the state to "give them all they desired" and "do more to help deaf people." The rehabilitation philosophy was to work with people rather than against them (The UAD Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1967). Dr. Sanderson also mentioned that people willing to work hard for themselves got the most out of their help. Learning a trade or attending school may take a long time and be challenging for Deaf people. Those unable to find fitting employment usually gave up or dropped out; those who successfully obtained employment in the selected trade stayed with the job and earned the necessary skills and abilities. He stressed that the services provided in the deaf rehabilitation program, such as vocational training and educational support, would not result in dependency. The goal was to enable Deaf people to develop independence and share community resources more equitably. For example, community-sponsored adult education programs tried to assist Deaf adults in overcoming educational limitations that turned them dependent. The rehabilitation program provided them with the skills they needed to become self-sufficient. Utah was not alone in this situation; other states faced similar challenges (The UAD Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1967).

Dr. Sanderson also emphasized the need for the National Association of the Deaf and the Utah Association for the Deaf to continue to work proactively to support those members of the Utah Deaf community who cannot always help themselves, particularly those with multiple disabilities. The number of individuals with various disabilities was on the rise, and volunteer organizations needed to continue to bring their special needs to the attention of government agencies. Recognizing the challenges faced by these exceptional students, the Utah School for the Deaf developed a collaboration with rehabilitation services to provide the necessary support (The UAD Bulletin, Spring-Summer, 1967).

Did You Know?

In 1965, the number of Deaf children with multiple disabilities was increasing. Whether educational authorities liked it or not, the day came when these children would take over numerous residential schools. This also means that oral day schools often forced Deaf children with average cognitive abilities and skills to give up their educational rights in the name of integration (The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965).

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell’s
New Role in the Deaf Section

In 1967, Dr. Sanderson and his secretary, Linda Campbell, were the only two employees in the deaf unit (Stewart, DSDHH, April 2012). In 1970, the team welcomed a significant addition. Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, a woman of remarkable contributions, joined the Division of Adult Education and Training as a rehabilitation assistant in the Services to the Deaf Section. The Utah Association for the Deaf passed a resolution at the convention, prompting her to begin work in 1969. Her employment resulted from a request for a female counselor to handle consumers who preferred to communicate with a woman (UAD Bulletin, Fall-Winter 1970–71).

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell

Beth Ann served with unwavering dedication and commitment as an assistant to Dr. Sanderson and Jack White, the son of Deaf parents Jack and Vida White, and a Provo Rehabilitation Counselor. Her responsibilities included consumer intake, interpretation, job placement, case reporting, follow-up, and work adjustment counseling (UAD Bulletin, Fall-Winter 1970-71).

Beth Ann, a well-known figure in the Utah Deaf community, was the daughter of Arnold and Zelma Moon, who were also deaf (UAD Bulletin, Fall-Winter 1970-71). Her interpreting responsibilities grew significantly throughout the years while she worked at the rehabilitation office (Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, personal communication, September 20, 2012).

President Nixon's Rehab Act Veto. Source: UAD Bulletin, March 1973

Feasibility Study for a
Community Center for the Deaf

While working at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dr. Sanderson played a crucial role in establishing a community center for the deaf. His leadership and vision were evident during in-depth discussions about the center's design and services. Dr. Sanderson's unwavering commitment led to a significant milestone in June 1975, when the initial concept of the community center was formed.

Dr. Walter D. Talbot, the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Utah State Office of Education, formed a committee to assess the feasibility and desirability of creating a community center for the deaf in Utah, similar to the Murray B. Allen Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Dr. Sanderson was appointed as chairman of the committee, which included key members such as Dr. Harvey Hirschi, Administrator of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Dr. Jay J. Campbell, Deputy Superintendent of the Utah State Office of Education; Dr. Charles C. Schmitt, Facilities Coordinator of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; and four deaf community members: W. David Mortensen, Lloyd H. Perkins, Dora B. Laramie, and Ned C. Wheeler (UAD Bulletin, December 1975; Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Walter D. Talbot

On December 1, 1975, Dr. Walter Talbot, the State Superintendent of Instruction, received a comprehensive 47-page feasibility report with recommendations (UAD Bulletin, December 1975). Governor Calvin L. Rampton and various national and local organizations, such as the National Association of the Deaf, the Utah Association for the Deaf, the Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf, and the Parent-Teacher-Student Association of the Utah School for the Deaf, expressed their endorsement for the community center, extending its support beyond the local level (Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Jay J. Campbell. Source: UAD Bulletin, June 1973

Deaf Members of the Feasibility Study
for a Community Center for the Deaf Committee

W. David Mortensen

Lloyd H. Perkins

Dora B. Laramie

Ned C. Wheeler. The Utah Eagle, Feb 1972

Dr. Talbot, along with Dr. Sanderson and his interpreter, Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, made multiple visits to the capital funding legislative committee during the legislative process. Governor Rampton's support for the process proved to be invaluable (Sanderson, 2004).

Utah Governor Calvin L. Rampton Source: Wikipedia

All of the legislative committees had finally approved a bill. At the end of the regular legislative session in February 1977, Governor Rampton had the bill on his desk at midnight. As he prepared to sign the bill, he discovered that someone had mistyped the term "deaf" as "blind"! This seemingly small error had significant consequences. He couldn't fix it because the legislature had closed at midnight (Sanderson, 2004).

The legislative research staff informed Dr. Sanderson that they might not have filed or archived bills and resolutions that "failed" or did not pass. Put simply, the bill did not successfully navigate the legislative process. No one informed him about this legislation or explained how the miscommunication occurred. He believed that a bill sponsor or legislator, mistakenly focusing on blind individuals due to their greater visibility than the deaf, made the error. In any case, Dr. Sanderson could not locate any evidence to support the story. The emotional toll on the Deaf leaders was immense when they learned that the bill had failed due to an erroneous oversight. They had dedicated weeks to testifying on behalf of the Utah Deaf Community Center in several parliamentary committees (Sanderson, 2004).

Last but not least, Dr. Sanderson pointed out the alarming absence of the Utah State Board of Education minutes from 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, and 1981, which included studies, resolutions, and bills for the legislature. There was no sign of these crucial documents! Moreover, State Superintendent Talbot's 1976 budget did not include a center. Perhaps the Deaf leaders missed something because the annual minutes' books were so thick! Nonetheless, the UAD Bulletin and Silent Spotlight had proven valuable tools for tracking the center's progress over time (Sanderson, 2004).

Source: Report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction from the Committee to Study the Feasibility of a Comprehensive Community Center for the Deaf. Utah State Board of Education, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Utah State Board of Education
Adopts a Policy on Deaf

Following a lengthy debate, the Utah State Board of Education agreed on June 15, 1976, to establish a policy statement that resulted in the decentralization of counselors for Deaf vocational rehabilitation consumers. The new policy relocated counselors from the state school office to the vocational rehabilitation offices in Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Provo. Consumers at those offices might choose between 'total communication' and 'oralist' counselors. Dr. Vaughan Hall, the associate state superintendent, made the change in response to oralists' complaints about not having a clear choice in selecting their counselors. Additionally, numerous oralists testified that they hesitated to visit the Utah School for the Deaf's vocational rehabilitation office for fear of not receiving the desired services. Totalists, on the other hand, were opposed to the new policy and expressed fear that it would weaken the services provided to consumers seeking vocational rehabilitation. Dr. Vaughan, however, provided reassurance that the new approach would not reduce services; instead, he believed it would give consumers more options and allow counselors to adapt the offerings of better services to meet their needs, instilling confidence in the new policy (The Salt Lake Tribune, June 16, 1976).

On June 16, 1976, W. David Mortensen, a respected figure in the Utah Deaf community and president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, issued an article discussing his thoughts on the Board of Education's recent decision. He stated the following:

Dr. Vaughan Hall. Source: UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968

W. David Mortensen. 'Board Adopts Policy on Deaf.' Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, June 16, 1978

Won’t Listen

“The Board of Education is making a serious mistake in listening to the wrong people in its plan to “decentralize” services to deaf people. Never once did they invite the input of the deaf people of the community itself. They listened only to people who do not understand the implications of deafness. People who do not know nor understand what it means to live in deafness everyday. They listened to people into their ivorytowers who are far removed from the reality of life.

Never once did the Board of Education or personnel connected with it ask the deaf community nor make a survey of the services provided to the deaf to see if the present organization was satisfactory. The deaf community asked for services years ago and has been happy with the services rendered. Why change without asking the consumer if he likes what he’s getting?

The deaf people are tired of paternalism, of being told by hearing people and educators that all we need is more speech and lip reading. We express to them – that such concepts deny deafness – and mislead people who have deaf children who will one day be as we are – deaf adults!

Apparently, the Board of Education is turning its back on deaf people, upon the mass of experience, and is listening only to those who have axes to grind. It was the deaf community that forced the board to take a hard look at its educational programs at the deaf school; to take another look at the conditions in school dormitories and to evaluate them.

If it were not for the alertness of the deaf people then parents of deaf children would continue to receive a less than adequate program for their children. When deaf people speak, we speak with knowledge and experience, and perception that no hearing person can experience.

We believe the Board of Education should retain its Unit of Services to the Deaf as it is presently made up, and if needed, add another counselor to work exclusively with those deaf who are, by personal choice, oral in philosophy. We support the desires of such deaf people when they express themselves but no when others paternalistic step in and try to do for them” (Mortensen, The Ogden Standard-Examiner, June 16, 1976).

Dr. Grant B. Bitter, a prominent advocate for oral education and a professor in the University of Utah's Oral Training Program, was speculated to be involved in and influenced by the upcoming changes. Additionally, he served as the coordinator for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Deaf Seminary in the state of Utah.

W. David Mortensen. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell

W. David Mortensen. 'Won't Listen.' Source: Ogden Standard-Examiner, June 16, 1978

Restructure the Office
of Services to the Deaf

On June 15, 1978, the Utah State Board of Education decided to restructure the Office of Services to the Deaf. The Utah Association for the Deaf expressed concern and outrage over the impending implementation of the reorganization. Since the community had not received the latest policy statement or the new organizational chart, uncertainty loomed regarding the impact of this change on various Deaf services (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

Dr. Walter Talbot, the State Superintendent of Education, sought to reassure the Utah Deaf community by stating that the State Board of Education's action aimed to protect the rights of Deaf consumers to choose a counselor who could sign or not sign. Consequently, the State Board of Education assigned Dr. Sanderson additional responsibilities, which included overseeing the entire Rehabilitation Services to the Deaf Program and providing training to all counselors and supervisors working with Deaf consumers. Additionally, the decision paved the way for the inclusion of a Deaf counselor in the Salt Lake area (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

W. David Mortensen. 'Break Up Deaf Services?' Source: The Deseret News, June 27, 1973

Since its establishment in 1965 by the Utah State Board of Education, the Services to the Deaf Office in Salt Lake City, Utah, had expanded. To respond to the growth of deaf services, the Utah State Board of Education approved a significant restructuring of the Office of Services to the Deaf in 1978. This restructuring involved the creation of three separate offices with a director, four counselors, supervisors in each district, and an interpreter for the deaf. The offices were strategically located in different areas to ensure accessibility for the Deaf community across the state. The counselors were Norman Roberts of Ogden, Gene D. Stewart of North Salt Lake, Jim Hilber of Central Salt Lake, and Jack White of Provo. Bob Sanderson, the director, continued to oversee all deaf unit activities, ensuring that all Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, regardless of their educational background, received the same level of respect and care (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

The counselors in the three offices, acting as goodwill ambassadors, played a pivotal role in transforming the employment landscape for the Deaf community. Their tireless efforts, combined with the sign language classes provided by various entities, led to a significant increase in job opportunities. This transformative change meant previously inaccessible occupations became within reach, breaking down barriers that confined the community to low-paying jobs. The counselors also took the initiative to address civic groups, raising awareness about the challenges faced by the Deaf community and fostering hope for a more inclusive future (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

The counselors, with their deep understanding of deaf issues and respectful attention to their needs, fostered a culture of inclusivity. They were adept at communicating using voice, sign language, or, in rare cases, fundamental gestures, ensuring that all Deaf individuals could access the necessary services. This initiative aimed to make services accessible to meet the identified needs of the Utah Deaf community. The impact of these services was profound, providing a wide range of support, including financial assistance, evaluations of hearing aids, marriage counseling, sign language education, speech therapy, career training, and more (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

Jim Hilber, Counselor of the Central Salt Lake area. Source: UAD Bulletin, November 1973

To show respect for Deaf and hard of hearing consumers, the district supervisor reviewed all incoming applicants so that everyone could choose counselors. They could pick between a counselor who did not use sign language but communicated through speech and one who could communicate with consumers in any way they preferred—whether through sign language, speaking, writing notes, and so on (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

However, W. David Mortensen, who served as the president of the Utah Association for the Deaf since 1971, expressed concerns that district supervisors lacked the knowledge, training, and ability to address the issues of Deaf adults. He was also concerned that counselors trained to serve the Deaf population would no longer provide suitable services to Deaf adults. In contrast, he felt that these counselors' years of experience and knowledge would be disregarded (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

Gene D. Stewart, Counselor of the North Salt Lake area. Source: UAD Bulletin, Winter 1970

Several other states acknowledged Utah Services to the Deaf Office as an effective service model for Deaf individuals. Despite a few criticisms, the number of people who benefitted from the accessible services far outweighed them. The Utah Association for the Deaf recognized that a few complaints would not lead to the discontinuation of the model. They also recognized the hesitancy of Deaf individuals whose primary form of communication was speech. UAD indicated that various general counselors could work with these individuals who preferred communication through speech (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

The Utah Association for the Deaf also stated that dismantling the deaf unit would not be beneficial. It could potentially harm Deaf individuals and parents seeking help for their Deaf children, leading to understandable frustration. The association had not seen any evidence that such a restructuring would improve the delivery of services to Deaf children and adults with unique needs (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978). The Utah State Board of Education, as per UAD, should have avoided stepping backward. The Utah Association for the Deaf requested that each board member engage with Deaf individuals and gather their opinions on the Deaf Office's services. The decision would primarily affect Deaf taxpayers, given their participation in elections (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

John A. (Jack) White, counselor of the Provo area. Source: UAD Bulletin, Winter 1970

W. David Mortensen as a Spokesman
at the Utah State Capitol

In June 1978, the Utah State Board of Education proposed a budget for the next legislature to establish a community center for the deaf to meet their needs. Accepting the proposal would provide a wide range of programs for all Deaf people in the community, including those who are hard of hearing and those who use the Division of Rehabilitation Services. The Utah Association for the Deaf anticipated that the future center's services would exemplify inclusivity and equality, benefiting both oral Deaf and hard of hearing individuals through speech and hearing conservation services (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978).

During the same month, W. David Mortensen appealed for support in constructing a comprehensive community center for the deaf and establishing a state commission for the deaf with the Joint House-Senate Committee on Social Services at the Utah State Capitol. In his presentation, he emphasized the pressing need for change, pointing out the negative impact of the policy set by Dr. Vaughn Hall of the Division of Rehabilitation in conjunction with the Utah State Board of Education, which exclusively limited services to deaf rehabilitation. This policy eliminated many services previously provided to the Utah Deaf community over the past thirteen years. Dave delivered a compelling statement to the committee, stressing the urgency for a Deaf Center and commission to serve all deaf individuals, not only rehabilitation consumers (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978; Sanderson, 2004).

W. David Mortensen. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell

Back to Square One

The leaders of the Utah Deaf community faced the challenge of obtaining funds for a new community center. During the legislative process, W. David Mortensen, the unbeaten record president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, and Dr. Sanderson, a prominent figure at Services to Deaf Adults, formed a strong partnership. Initially attending Dr. Sanderson's legislative meetings, Dave quickly grasped the complexities of the legislative process. Over the following years, their combined efforts, with Dave tirelessly lobbying legislators, ultimately led to successfully acquiring funding for the Deaf community center (Sanderson, 2004).

In 1979, two years after the unsuccessful bill of 1977, Dr. Sanderson worked at the Services to Deaf Adults while UAD President Mortensen continued to pursue another bill, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the cause. Despite the bill taking another two years to reach the legislature, their persistence paid off when the legislature granted Dave's request for assistance in establishing a community center in 1979. The next hurdle was to secure a suitable facility.

Lobbying the 1980 Utah
State Legislature for a Building
for the Community Center for the Deaf

In September 1979, the Utah State Board of Education approved $2.5 million from a $15.1 million budget for the construction and remodeling of the Deaf Center, making it a top priority for funding. The board intended to propose this request to the State Building Board, the entity responsible for approving and allocating funds for state construction projects, and the 1980 Legislature, the legislative body that ultimately approves the state budget. (UAD Bulletin, September 1979).

In January 1980, during the legislative process, Utah Governor Scott Matheson moved the community center for the deaf from 6th to 11th place on the building appropriations list. This decision put the Utah Deaf community center at risk. However, under the leadership of UAD President Mortensen, the Utah Deaf community demonstrated remarkable resilience and urged people to support the center by reaching out to their local legislators and members of the appropriations subcommittee. Despite these efforts, the center did not reach the top priority list (UAD Bulletin, January 1980).

Despite the setback, in May 1980, an architectural firm in Ogden, Utah, submitted preliminary drawings to the State Building Board. This showed that efforts to prioritize the construction of the center for the deaf were still ongoing. However, the estimated cost of $3.4 million for the land and building had increased due to inflation, presenting a new challenge (UAD Bulletin, May 1980).

Utah Governor Scott M. Matheson. Source: historytogo.utah.gov

The Social Services Committee, a significant decision-making body, held a meeting at the Utah State Capitol in late July 1980. During the meeting, they expressed their support for the Deaf Center. Representative Charles Doane, R-Salt Lake City, recommended that the State Building Board and the Appropriations Committee prioritize funding for the Deaf Center. This suggestion received overwhelming support, with only one vote against it. This backing from the Social Services Committee marked a crucial milestone in securing funding for the center. Notably, the Utah State Board of Education scheduled the Deaf Center as the most critical item for discussion at the legislature session in January 1981 (The UAD Bulletin, August 1980).

The Utah Association for the Deaf played a pivotal role in advocating for the deaf community center. They encouraged the local Deaf community in Utah to reach out to their legislators and request support for funding the center. They emphasized the center's vital role and argued that locating it in Salt Lake City, where most Deaf people lived, would be the most practical choice. They intended the center to serve as a statewide facility, ensuring that individuals residing outside of Salt Lake City would find it worthwhile to travel there. The UAD made extensive efforts, including lobbying, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement, to secure legislative funding for the deaf community center (UAD Bulletin, August 1980).

In September 1980, UAD President Mortensen informed the Utah Deaf community that state committees would discuss proposals for a deaf community center. He encouraged the community to contact their local legislators and request their assistance in funding the center. However, he was aware that some Deaf people opposed the center, although the reasons for their opposition remained unclear. These individuals wanted a clubhouse with a private membership club and a bar. Dave explained that the Deaf Center would have everything a deaf person could want, except alcohol. He emphasized the importance of working together and addressing concerns within the Deaf community, focusing on one task at a time. He underscored the need to understand and address the concerns of all members of the Deaf community, including those who opposed the center, to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met (UAD Bulletin, September 1980).

On October 11, 1980, the Utah Association for the Deaf extended invitations to several state legislators to the UAD October Funfest at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden. This event was not just a fun gathering but also a strategic opportunity for the Deaf community to interact with legislators and advocate for the deaf community center. It underscored the crucial role of their participation in such events (UAD Bulletin, October 1980).
In November 1980, the Utah Association for the Deaf advised the Utah Deaf community not to vote for Initiatives A and B. The purpose was to ensure that the Deaf Center would receive sufficient tax funding for its projects. The approval of these initiatives would reduce the funds available for projects and the Deaf Center. This highlights the significant impact of voting decisions on funding for the Deaf Center and emphasizes the importance of making informed choices (UAD Bulletin, November 1980).
Deaf leaders played a key role in helping the Utah State Board of Education secure funding for a comprehensive community center for the deaf in December 1980. Their efforts were vital in advancing the cause and emphasized the ongoing need for community support (UAD Bulletin, December 1980).

Regrettably, the proposed deaf community center did not secure funding in April 1981. Despite the tireless efforts of the Utah Association for the Deaf to encourage the local Deaf community to contact their legislators, the legislature's decision had a profound impact on the center. This was because not all community members did so, and the Republican-controlled legislature prioritized the construction of a dairy barn at Utah State University over the needs of the Utah Deaf community. The dairy barn's funding surpassed that of the community center, and the legislature even prioritized the purchase of the Utah State Board of Education building before its option expired in December 1980. Dr. Walter D. Talbot, state superintendent, was a staunch advocate for the center. In July 1981, the Utah Association for the Deaf issued a resolution to support the center, underlining the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action (UAD Bulletin, March 1981; UAD Bulletin, April 1981; Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson working in his office

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson
Appointed to Dr. Powrie V. Doctor Chair

Gallaudet College made a significant announcement in July 1981, proudly announcing the selection of Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, the esteemed Director of Services to the Deaf Office in Utah, to hold the prestigious Dr. Powrie V. Doctor Chair for the academic year 1981–82. This represented a major achievement in his career, as he became the fourth recipient of this esteemed honor (UAD Bulletin, July 1981; Sanderson, 2004).

On August 24, 1981, Dr. Sanderson and his wife Mary began a new chapter after leaving Utah for his new job. From that time until the end of May 1982, he took an educational leave of absence from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to enhance his knowledge and expertise in the vocational rehabilitation field. Mary also took a one-year leave of absence from the United States Forest Service to support her husband's career transition (UAD Bulletin, July 1981).

According to Gallaudet's "On the Green" article, Dr. Sanderson faced challenges in working with various social factors and the lifestyles of Deaf individuals, as well as maintaining their jobs for an extended period (Cinelli, On the Green, January 11, 1982). During his time in office, Dr. Sanderson's research had a significant impact on the field of services for Deaf individuals. He shifted his focus from vocational rehabilitation to the important area of social rehabilitation. In addition to his research, he taught one or two counseling classes and conducted field visits to other rehabilitation agencies to gather data. In June 1982, Dr. Sanderson and Mary returned to their respective work, enriched by their experiences (UAD Bulletin, July 1981).

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Gallaudet Powrie V. Doctor Chair of Deaf Studies. Source: On The Green, November 23, 1981

'Utahn to Chair Deaf Studies.' Source: Deseret News, July 27-28, 1981

Dr. Robert Sanderson holds the 1981-1982 Gallaudet Powrie V. Doctor chair. Source: On the Green, January 11, 1982

During Dr. Sanderson's absence, UAD President Mortensen requested a meeting with Utah Governor Scott M. Matheson. When the governor was unavailable, he sent his aide, Tony Mitchell, to meet with Dave Mortensen, Valerie G. Kinney, UAD secretary, and Alden Broomhead, a UAD board of directors member. They discussed their concerns about the legislature's previous failures to pass funding for a deaf community center and the rejection of the "cows before deaf people" proposal. Recognizing the importance of this issue, Tony Mitchell instructed his assistant, Boren, to find $500,000 from the Division of Rehabilitation budget and start looking for a location (Sanderson, 2004).

Valerie G. Kinney. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell

Resignation of Dr. Walter D. Talbot
Takes Utah Deaf community by Surprise

On January 15, 1982, a significant event unfolded in the Utah Deaf community. Dr. Walter D. Talbot, the Superintendent of Utah Public Education, unexpectedly announced his resignation. This news, which he delivered during a Utah State Board of Education meeting, would take effect on June 30. Dr. Talbot, a longstanding advocate for the Utah Deaf community and the deaf community center, left a void that required filling (UAD Bulletin, February 1982).

Lobbying the 1982 Utah State Legislature for the Community Center for the Deaf

Following Dr. Talbot's resignation announcement, the Utah Association of the Deaf demonstrated their commitment and efficiency by swiftly organizing a meeting with Dr. Walter Talbot to address the impending changes, including the appointment of a director, the formation of an administrative board, and renovation plans (UAD Bulletin, March 1982).

Progress on the
Community Center for the Deaf

On January 14, 1982, the Public Education Appropriations Committee at the Utah State Capitol proposed transforming a building belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Midvale, Utah, into a center for the deaf. The proposed purchase price for the building was $110,000, and an additional $30,000 was allocated for remodeling. The State Building Board conducted an appraisal of the church building, which was constructed in 1929. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then negotiated the final purchase price before presenting the proposal to a legislative committee during the current legislative session (UAD Bulletin, February 1982).

Funding for the Center for the Deaf Approved

After years of persistent advocacy, the Utah Association for the Deaf achieved a significant breakthrough in the final days of the 1982 Utah Legislature. The State Building Board approved a measure that included funding for various projects, specifically allocating $200,000 for a Deaf Center. This marked a significant victory for the association and represented a promising step toward the establishment of the center (UAD Bulletin, March 1982).

The Utah Association for the Deaf faced several challenges, including selecting a director, forming an administrative board, and planning renovations. However, they efficiently addressed these issues within a month. During this time, UAD officers and members met with Dr. Walter Talbot, the public education superintendent, to initiate the process (UAD Bulletin, March 1982).

On March 19, 1982, the Utah State Board of Education placed the community center for the Deaf on the agenda and approved a committee of Deaf residents to oversee the center, which would be located in the former Latter-day Saints Ward in Midvale, Utah. The center then started advertising for the positions of director and secretary (UAD Bulletin, April 1982).

The committee overseeing the center exemplified its commitment to inclusivity by featuring a diverse group of Deaf members. The committee members were George Gavros, Peter Green, Dennis Platt, Fred Bass, Robert Welsh, Dora Laramie, Richard Snow, Janny Scheeline, William Sevy, Celia May Laramie Baldwin, Lynn Losee, and Dave Mortensen. Each member contributed their unique perspectives and experiences, enriching the discussions and decisions of the committee (UAD Bulletin, April 1982).

Deaf Members of the
Community Center for the Deaf Committee

Pete Green. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell

Dennis Platt

Robert Welsh. The Utah Eagle, April 1955

Dora B. Laramie. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell

Richard Snow

Lynn Losee

Celia May Laramie Baldwin. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell

Search for a New Location

The first step was to search for a suitable location. The initial plan was to find a site in Midvale, Utah, but this proved challenging due to parking issues. Despite this setback, the team's perseverance and commitment led to the discovery of a potential location in an abandoned city dump (Sanderson, 2004).

Midvale had a historic church owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although the structure was small and lacked a much-needed gymnasium, Dr. Sanderson, Gene Stewart, Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, Norman Williams, and Robert Lunnen all agreed it would suffice as a starting point for some remodeling. The 1982 Legislature appropriated $200,000 to purchase a chapel for use as a Deaf Center (Sanderson, 2004).

The process of transforming the chosen location into a functional Deaf Center was a collaborative effort. The Division of Facilities Construction and Management, as the building manager for all state-owned facilities, played a crucial role. They began planning with an architect, ensuring that the design met the needs of the Utah Deaf community. Rehabilitation Services, the Utah State Board of Education, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reached a deal, reflecting their shared commitment to this project.

Before the construction and remodeling of the Midvale building began in October 1982, Dora Laramie, a teacher at the Utah School for the Deaf, and her husband, George, both long-time members of the Utah Deaf community, shared an exciting discovery with Dr. Sanderson. They informed him about a large church in Bountiful, Utah, that had been vacant for a while. With its gym and several meeting spaces, they believed it could better meet the local community's needs. The church only required minor repairs, offering the potential for immediate use (Sanderson, 2004).

George Laramie

After Dora and George Laramie brought it to his attention, Dr. Sanderson, a trusted figure in the community, discussed the Bountiful church with his supervisor, Dr. Harvey Hirschi, Acting Administrator of Rehabilitation Services. He immediately requested the halt of the Midvale proceedings and strongly supported the building, providing a strong foundation for the decision. As word of the center's relocation from Midvale to Bountiful spread, the Utah Deaf community and the Division of Rehabilitation Services expressed interest. The Utah State Board of Education met with confidence and support when Dr. Talbot's successor, State Superintendent Kim R. Burningham, a respected leader, informed them that the center would now relocate from the Midvale facility to a much nicer and larger empty church in Bountiful. The board of directors approved the change (Sanderson, 2004).

State Superintendent Kim R. Burningham. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

Eventually, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sold the Bountiful church building in exchange for the Midvale church building. The anticipated cost of purchasing and renovating the Midvale building was $525,000. On the other hand, the overall cost of the Bountiful building, including purchase, renovation, real estate charges, and architect fees, was $333,000. The decision to create a more suitable building resulted in savings of $191,000 (Sanderson, 2004).

Deaf Dedicates "Home of Their Own"

After a long wait and much patience since the 1975 "Feasibility Study for a Community Center for the Deaf," the first Utah Community Center for the Deaf (UCCD) officially opened in January 1983 at the Bountiful 33rd LDS Ward Chapel, located at 388 North 400 South. This facility was previously owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Sanderson, 2004). This milestone was not just about establishing a physical structure; it represented the unwavering dedication and resilience of the Deaf community and their supporters, serving as a source of inspiration and pride for all. "The study identified the unique and specific needs of the Deaf people of Utah," remarked W. David Mortensen, president of the Utah Association for the Deaf and the state's only Deaf social worker (The Salt Lake Tribune, May 29, 1983).

On June 9, 1983, the Utah Deaf community held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the dedication of the renovated UCCD, which they now considered their own "home." Dr. Sanderson and Dave Mortensen emphasized the significance of communication at the event. Dr. Sanderson highlighted the importance of accessible and straightforward communication between Deaf and hard of hearing individuals and the professionals and paraprofessionals who serve them. He pointed out that the form of communication should be based on the individual's preference, and the supporting professionals should fulfill these preferences. Dave added that Deaf individuals need a reliable place to receive understanding and assistance whenever needed. They also require confidence and trust in the people they seek help from, especially when communication barriers hinder successful understanding at their language comprehension level (The Salt Lake Tribune, May 29, 1983).

The UCCD was not only a physical space but also a beacon of hope and support for the 78,000 Deaf and hard of hearing people in Utah at the time. Around 10,000 of them were estimated to be deaf for communication purposes (The Salt Lake Tribune, May 29, 1983). The center aimed to address the challenges faced by the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf People with Additional Disabilities by offering a range of social and recreational activities (The Salt Lake Tribune, May 29, 1983). Dr. Sanderson expressed his gratitude, saying, "It was a dream of many years come true, with much appreciation to the Utah State Board of Education, Rehabilitation Services, and the Utah State Legislature" (Sanderson, 2004).

Source: Dedication Program at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, June 8, 1983

Home of the First Utah
Community Center for the Deaf

The Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, was opened in 1981, with Dr. Robert G. Sanderson appointed as its first director by Dr. Harvey Hirschi. In 1982, three staff members—Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, Norman Williams, and Robert Lunnen—were hired (UAD Bulletin, July 1982; Sanderson, 2004).

The Utah Community Center for the Deaf provided a wide range of services to support the Utah Deaf community. These services include vocational rehabilitation to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed for employment. The center also offered specific counseling services, such as mental health counseling and career counseling, to address the emotional and psychological needs of the community. Additionally, the center provided interpreting, telecommunications, information and referral, a library, training programs, volunteer services, peer support, and classes (Sanderson, 2004).

To assist Deaf individuals in finding employment opportunities, the UCCD gathered the best books and research papers on Deaf subjects, as well as equipment, photographs, and a printing lab (The Salt Lake Tribune, May 29, 1983). On December 5, 1983, Robert J. Welsh, a Deaf photographer with a successful color separation and photography business, taught a class to help Deaf people find work. The UCCD not only provided the space for this class but also committed to supporting and promoting the entrepreneurial spirit within the Utah Deaf community. It set aside its laboratory and furniture in one of the upper-level rooms for entrepreneurial use (Sanderson, 2004).

Robert J. Welsh. Source: The Deaf American, January 1965

The UCCD was more than just a center; it was a community and friendship hub. It served as the focal point for social activities like rehabilitation, adult education, and retraining, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. This 22,000-square-foot facility offered opportunities for physical recreation, socializing, and various other activities, allowing people to build memories and connections. It hosted parties and events, including basketball, archery, volleyball, and movie screenings, creating a vibrant and inclusive community (Sanderson, 2004).

Following the renovation, the Utah Association for the Deaf and several community organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing, including Self Help for the Hard of Hearing, were able to use the office space. This collaborative effort not only allowed them to finally store their items but also to continue their organizations' activities, reinforcing the shared purpose and unity within the Utah Deaf community. The renovation also included the addition of new facilities and the upgrading of existing ones, enhancing the services and activities provided by the UCCD (Sanderson, 2004).

Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful Utah, 1983. Pencil drawing by Robert Winkelkotter

The Deaf individuals from the Ogden and Salt Lake communities volunteered to transform the UCCD into a more welcoming space. This center, now a vital meeting place for the community, was once just a dream. It hosted events and activities previously scattered across different locations. The establishment of the UCCD was a significant milestone in the history of the Utah Deaf community, demonstrating their determination for greater inclusivity and self-determination. It became a platform for the community to unite, share experiences, and provide mutual support, fostering a sense of hope and progress. This journey began at the Utah Association of the Deaf Conference in 1946, where the Deaf members first voiced their need for a space they could call their own.

Dream Becomes a Nightmare

The Utah Community Center for the Deaf, like many establishments, soon encountered a variety of challenges. As the director, Dr. Sanderson faced several issues, including a neighbor's sprinkler system causing flooding on the east side of the building, overcrowded parking lots during events, inadequate air conditioning on the upper floor during the summer, and an outdated coal-fired heater that posed a fire risk in the winter. Security became a major concern after a break-in and theft, leading to the decision to rekey all the doors. The need for numerous repairs resulted in skyrocketing maintenance costs. Additionally, the initial excitement of the community began to fade as commuting from a distance proved to be increasingly challenging (Sanderson, 2004).

Even in the face of a natural disaster, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf stood strong. When the snow melted, it caused massive mudslides in the mountains that struck 400 North Street, turning the Deaf community's dream into a nightmare. The mudslide, which was about three feet deep, filled the basements of several homes that were lower than street level. Fortunately, the Utah Community Center building remained unharmed. Its elevation on the south side of the street, along with a four-foot retaining wall beside the sidewalk, provided protection. This mudslide in 1983, described as a 'one in a hundred-year' event, served as a testament to the center's resilience (Sanderson, 2004).

The Utah Community Center for the Deaf
Officially Dedicated

The Deaf Advisory Council of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, with the invaluable support of our community, had been tirelessly organizing the dedication for months. On November 5, 1983, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf received its dedication. According to the dedication chairperson, Celia May Baldwin, around 325 people from our close-knit community attended the amazing ceremony (UAD Bulletin, June 1983).

Source: Utah Community Center for the Deaf Dedication Ceremony, November 5, 1983

The Utah Community Center for the Deaf
Continues to Thrive

During the next two years, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf was filled with activity. A significant moment occurred when the Utah Association for the Deaf, demonstrating its forward-thinking approach, established the nation’s first official office. Valerie G. Kinney was appointed part-time business manager, marking a new chapter for the Utah Deaf community (Sanderson, 2004).

Valerie G. Kinney

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, a Child of Deaf Adult and sign language interpreter, displayed impressive resourcefulness. She successfully obtained sponsorships and donations from local service clubs, providing the Utah Community Center for the Deaf with essential items that the state was unable to supply. Her efforts highlight the community's resilience and capacity to find solutions (Sanderson, 2004).

The Text Teletype, commonly known as TTY, revolutionized communication for the Deaf community in Utah and laid the foundation for its development. By transcribing conversations, TTY devices enabled users to communicate instantly, eliminating the need for verbal exchanges. The first TTY was developed in 1964 by Deaf physicist Robert Weitbrecht.

The TTY service at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf was in high demand due to its focus on repairing outdated teleprinter equipment for Deaf customers. In 2003, Sorenson Communications Inc. launched its videophone and offered a free video relay service, significantly improving communication options. That same year, Salt Lake City became the first city to adopt a video relay service (Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Robert H. Weitbrecht. Source: Ultratec, Inc.

Robert Lunnen, who repaired teleprinter machines for the military during World War II, developed an affection for the antique equipment provided to the UCCD by Western Union, AT&T Mountain States Telephone, and other local businesses (Sanderson, 2004).

Norman Williams, a Deaf man, graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1962 and was a true pillar of the Utah Deaf community. With his technical skills, he played a vital role in maintaining the TTY machines, but his contributions extended far beyond that. Norman was a talented craftsman, builder, electrician, and mechanic, bringing his diverse skills to the community center and making a significant impact on the community (Sanderson, 2004).

Norman Williams. Source: The Utah Eagle, 1962

Dr. Sanderson stated that supporting this mission was one of the most significant achievements of Utah's Rehabilitation Services. This initiative enabled all Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the state to communicate effectively. Prior to the invention of the TTY (teletypewriter), rehabilitation counselors and social workers faced limited communication options, as they could not use regular phones to converse with Deaf individuals. They often had to drive to consumers' homes, hoping to find them available. The introduction of the TTY made it much easier for counselors to communicate with consumers (Sanderson, 2004).

Did You Know?

Under the supervision of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, Norman Williams took a proactive step. He ordered the circular tables in pieces for the conference room from the state prison for $2,000.00 in 1984. Norman, with his keen understanding, believed that deaf-friendly oval and round tables were the best choices. They not only provided a functional space but also fostered effective communication among Deaf and hard of hearing individuals (Norman Williams, personal communication, April 12, 2012). This procurement was a source of pride for Beth Ann, as she often boasted about her office, the tables made by state prison inmates, and the tables in the conference room )W. David Mortensen. personal communication, April 3, 2012).

Round tables made by prisoners in the Marilyn T. Call Conference room

Dr. Grant B. Bitter Criticizes
the Utah Community Center for the Deaf

On January 2, 1985, Dr. Grant B. Bitter, a strong advocate for oral and mainstream education, provided a detailed critique of the services offered by the Utah Community Center for the Deaf (UCCD). He expressed disapproval of the recreational activities available, the approach taken by UCCD counselors when working with the oral deaf population in rehabilitation services, and the center's connection with the Utah Association for the Deaf. His statement is as follows:

"No currently employed rehabilitation counselors for the deaf should be appointed as director for the Center for the Deaf…unless it is entirely separate from rehabilitation services; then the center should be supported by private funds and contributions as a "recreation center" for the Deaf community. Under those circumstances it should not be supported by public tax dollars. If the center is to be a place where all hearing impaired persons may go for appropriate services in meeting individual needs, then it must be divested from any relationship to UAD or any other organization of a special interest nature and be entirely free from these groups to pressure special interest decisions or control."

Dr. Grant B. Bitter. Source: The Utah Egale, October 1962

Dr. Bitter's critique was not merely a list of complaints but a call to action. He stressed the urgent need to address the specific needs of the Utah Deaf community and to customize services to meet these individual requirements, similar to those offered to oral Deaf individuals. He used uppercase letters in his writing to emphasize the significance of this message.

“NO PROGRAMS FROM ANY OFFICE SHOULD MANIPULATE, PROMOTE, OR OTHERWISE INFLUENCE THINKING OF CLIENTS OR POTENTIAL CLIENT TOWARD EITHER SIGN LANGUAGE OR THE ORAL, AURAL/ORAL APPROACH. COUNSELORS ARE TO ASSIST IN PROVIDNG APPROPRIATE SUPPORT SYSTEMS, REASONABLY, IN ORDER THAT CLIENTS MIGHT BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED REALISTICALLY AND PRODUCTIVELY, WITHOUT INTIMIDATION AND PRESSURE. COUNSELORS MUST NOTGIVE INFORMATION FALSELY IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE ONE’S OWN WAY OF THINKING. HERE ARE SOME THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO PROMOTE SIGN LANGUAGE:”

Learning sign language will not affect your use of spoken language. That statement must be qualified considerably. Which hearing impaired person will it not affect? Obviously, the “deafened” adult such as Dave Mortensen, Paul Chamberlain, Robert Sanderson, etc…persons who have developed oral language (spoken, written) before losing their hearing and who continue to use their spoken and written language daily in their work will retain that ability. However, most children who are prelingually hearing impaired if they have been educated orally and then learning sign language will lose a great deal of proficiency. Those who attempt to use a mix of sign language and oral language will use pre-dominantly the sign language modality. The phenomenon is demonstrated by research.
To use spoken language is to deny your deafness or to not use sign language is to deny your deafness, or if you don’t sign, you deny your deafness.
Deafness is your heritage.
Speechreading is impossible (“40% look alike sounds on the lips, etc). This is a myth…..some research indicates that hearing impaired person who are visual oral (speechreading) as their primary mode of communicating, will comprehend about 95% of the concepts).
Total communication really includes the oral approach. Such a statement is most commonly used and is not true. In reality don’t make of sign language something it is not and cannot do. It has its place for those who prefer that system of communication, but total communication is a philosophy not a method. It is a “supermarket” term. Sign language has many limitations. It isolates and segregates, creates dependency rather than functional independence and creates a psychological/emotional conditioning that is resistant to the concept of mainstreaming, etc…(“Mainstreaming denies deafness”).
Sign language appears to have some charismatic affect on hearing people; many hearing people, including interpreters, frequently use it as a vehicle of control rather than a means of assisting the consumer to become functionally independent, or facilitating the sending of accurate messages to the receiver only.

Dr. Bitter made serious accusations against the Utah Association for the Deaf, rehabilitation counselors for the deaf, and sign language interpreters. He alleges that they had not shown respect for the educational and social programs available to the oral deaf population. Additionally, he argues that there is little evidence to suggest that they had worked together to maintain the integrity of alternative programs in Utah, as indicated in his 1985 report.

Ironically, Dr. Bitter held power and influence over the University of Utah, the Utah School for the Deaf, and the Deaf Seminary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, despite his belief that the Utah Association for the Deaf should sever its ties with the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. He had no idea that UAD wanted to build a community center for Deaf people, and they worked hard to make it a reality. Why did Dr. Bitter complain about how UCCD served the oral deaf community when they could choose between a "total communication" or "oralist" counselor, as established in 1976 and 1978?

Furthermore, we need to consider whether Deaf individuals have the same recreational opportunities as hearing individuals at their local recreation center. This unequal access to recreational facilities underscores the pressing need for equal opportunities, a concern that should be important to everyone.

Did You Know?

During a retreat for members of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Advisory Council on August 28, 2009, Superintendent Steven W. Noyce, a former University of Utah student of Dr. Grant B. Bitter from the oral training program, incorrectly stated that the Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing tended to focus only on Deaf people using American Sign Language. Marilyn Tiller Call, the director of the Sanderson Community Center and a member of the Advisory Council, pointed out that significant changes had occurred over the years. The administration of the Sanderson Center was similar to that of the former Deaf Center in Bountiful, Utah, but it operated under a new mandate. The state of Utah required the Sanderson Community Center to be neutral, providing a wide range of services to all Deaf and hard of hearing people.

Members of the Utah Deaf community at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, January 24, 1988. Top Row: Pete Green, Jerry Wesrbery, Art Valdez, Ilene Kinner, Kenneth Kinner, Shanna Mortensen, David Mortensen, Clara Kendall. Bottom Row: (L-R): Sally Green, Donna Lee Westberg, Eleanor Kay Kinner Curtis, Donna Mae Deyarmon, and Carol Wilson

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson
Announces Retirement

On November 15, 1985, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a distinguished leader, announced his retirement from state service after thirty-seven years, including twenty years with the Utah Division of Rehabilitation. Services to the Deaf grew from a one-person operation in 1965 to a dynamic team spanning several areas in Utah, reflecting his commitment to the Deaf community. When Dr. Sanderson first joined the rehabilitation program in 1965, there were only eleven Deaf individuals receiving services and just one sign language counselor available to support them. Despite the challenges posed by limited resources, Dr. Sanderson's leadership and dedication paved the way for the growth and development of Services to the Deaf (UAD Bulletin, March 1985).

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson

Dr. Sanderson played a crucial role in the Utah Deaf community's goal to "speak more." His efforts resulted in the installation of approximately 500 telephone communication devices, capable of generating 50–60 words per minute along the Wasatch Front. This impressive achievement amounted to a staggering 750,000 words per hour. At that point, the Utah Deaf community relied heavily on teletype machines, and they were immensely grateful to Dr. Sanderson for providing this essential technology (UAD Bulletin, February 1985).

One of Dr. Sanderson's major accomplishments during his tenure was the establishment of a center for the deaf. This significant project required ten years of dedicated committee work and meetings to complete, and he remained committed to it even while attending Gallaudet College for a year. His perseverance ultimately led to the creation of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, a space where Deaf individuals could gather, work, and socialize (UAD Bulletin, February 1985).

By the time he retired in 1985, Dr. Sanderson had made a significant impact by assisting more than 300 Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. His efforts resulted in the availability of several interpreters, including four counselors proficient in sign language, a full-time rehabilitation interpreter, and two full-time UAD interpreters (UAD Bulletin, March 1985).

A $1,500 donation was made to the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, as a result of the Bountiful Soroptimist "Christmas Home Tour" fundraising. The award was given to Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, and Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, who was sitting. Elda Keddington, standing left, is the Soroptimist Club President, and Barabara Webb is the club's community service chairperson. Source: Ogden Standard-Examiner, February 6, 1985

Did You Know?

In 1985, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf received over 9,000 signatures in their guest book (UAD Bulletin, March 1985).

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell
is Named the New Director

Following Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's retirement, Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, the Executive Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, appointed Beth Ann Stewart Campbell as the Director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. This decision was made in consultation with the Utah Deaf community.

Beth Ann has over fifteen years of experience working with the Utah Division of Rehabilitation as a professional interpreter and aide, which has provided her with a deep understanding of the needs within deaf programs. As the daughter of Deaf adults, her unique perspective has significantly influenced both her personal and professional life, earning her strong support from the Utah Deaf community throughout her career. Beth Ann has dedicated herself to advocacy and activism, championing the rights and requirements of Deaf individuals (Sanderson, 2004).

As the director, Beth Ann committed herself to providing a diverse array of educational classes and social events at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. These offerings included cooking classes, income tax preparation sessions, "Women on Target" programs, parenting classes, outings for senior citizens, financial workshops, and sports events (Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, personal communication, September 18, 2012). This diverse array of activities ensured that American Sign Language (ASL) was accessible to everyone in the Utah Deaf community.

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell

Safety, Maintenance, Population Demographics
Issues Demand a Change in Location

The construction of the Bountiful building in 1941, followed by its two-story expansion in 1956, raised various health and safety concerns. Addressing violations of fire, safety, and building codes would be costly. Additionally, the building lacked proper disability accessibility, which constituted another code violation. Over time, the building's condition deteriorated, leading to expensive maintenance issues.

The demographics of the local population also posed a challenge. The Utah Community Center for the Deaf, located in Bountiful, was easily accessible from Ogden, other cities in Davis County, and Salt Lake City via the I-15 freeway. However, the largest population of Deaf consumers resided south of Salt Lake City, resulting in a gradual decline in visits to the center. Relocating the center further south would inconvenience those living in Davis and Weber counties, but it would be more accessible for the majority of Deaf consumers in the Salt Lake Valley, suggesting a need for a more central location (Sanderson, 2004).

In 1985, Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, a prominent advocate for the Deaf community and a leading figure in the Office of Rehabilitation Services, along with Bernarr S. Furse, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, began sending letters and memos to the Director of the Division of Facilities Construction and Management. They proposed allocating more planning funds to establish a new center for the Utah Deaf community instead of continuing to invest in the Bountiful Center, which faced long-term code violations and required extensive maintenance. They argued that investing further in the existing facility would waste resources, particularly since consumer usage had declined due to its location. The strong support from the Utah Deaf community for the proposed new center highlights the urgent need for a new facility (Sanderson, 2004).

In 1987, an inspection of the Bountiful building led to an urgent recommendation to acquire a newer facility to better serve Utah's Deaf and hard of hearing residents. The director and staff faced the challenge of updating the existing center to meet health, building, fire, safety, and disability accessibility codes, ensuring it would be a safe and usable state building. Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire actively supported the need for a new facility. The outdated and inadequate condition of the current building only strengthened the determination to establish a new community center through lobbying efforts (Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, August 22, 2011

An Unexpected Bill Passes
During the 1988 Legislative Session

While dealing with the building issues faced by the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, the legislature passed SB 218 in 1988, which established a separate Division of Services for the Hearing Impaired. Governor Norman H. Bangerter signed the bill into law on March 10. However, this left the Utah Deaf community feeling excluded and unheard. W. David Mortensen, president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, expressed deep concern that the community and its leaders were not informed about the bill prior to its passage. He questioned why no one sought their feedback and opinions. He also emphasized the importance of inclusivity and the necessity of involving the Utah Deaf community in decisions regarding their social, economic, and educational future (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, April 1988; Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, May 1988).

The Utah Deaf community expressed concern over the name of the legislation, "Division of Services to the Hearing Impaired." Jim Hilber, a graduate of the University of Utah’s Hearing and Speech Department and a member of Dr. Sanderson’s counseling team, was appointed as the administrator of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. Although he did not have a deaf cultural background, his education and experience made him well-suited for the position. Jim actively lobbied for the creation of the “Division of Services to the Hearing Impaired" (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, April 1988).

Given its significant impact on deaf individuals in Utah, Dave Mortensen, the president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, raised questions about why the Utah Deaf community was not involved in or informed about Senate Bill 218. He preferred the term "Deaf" over "Hearing Impaired" and suggested changing the title to "Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing." In 1988, the community played a crucial role in implementing this change (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, April 1988).

Utah Governor Norman H. Bangerter. Source: Wikipedia

The Utah Association for the Deaf opposed Jim Hilber's appointment as the Director of the Division of Services to the Hearing Impaired. The exclusion of the Utah Deaf community from the SB 218 bill angered them. In early 1988, a protest and demands for the appointment of a Deaf president at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., motivated them to take control of their future. Gary Olsen, the Executive Director of the National Association of the Deaf, stated that the "Deaf President Now" protest at Gallaudet University demonstrated a strong desire among Deaf individuals to decide their own destiny. Dr. Elisabeth Zinser, a hearing individual who resigned from her position, described the events as a civil rights movement for the Deaf community. President Mortensen of the Utah Association for the Deaf echoed these sentiments and stated that the Deaf community in Utah would advocate for increased involvement in decisions and regulations affecting their lives (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, April 1988).

Dr. Judy Buffmire, the Executive Director of the Utah Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, warmly welcomed the Utah Deaf community and its leaders at the Utah State Office of Education on March 31, 1988. The Utah State Office of Education actively sought their participation, inviting them to share their thoughts, ideas, and proposals regarding the new SB 218 bill. The room was filled with approximately 100 Deaf individuals, each expressing their unique perspectives. This engagement culminated in the announcement that the position of Director of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing would be open for nationwide recruitment (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, May 1988). This development was not just a minor victory but a significant step toward a more inclusive and representative future.

W. David Mortensen

In the May 1988 issue of the UAD Bulletin, President Mortensen issued the following President's Message:

“Historically speaking, for the past 75 years or more, programs for the deaf have always been proposed, developed, and administered by hearing people. There is only one exception that can be thought of when Dr. Robert G. Sanderson was placed in Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and remained for several years, leading deaf people and developing a variety of programs to serve them. Unfortunately, when he retired, he was not replaced by a deaf person. He was replaced by a hearing person. We feel there has been a deterioration or breaking up of some of these services that were of benefit to the Deaf community the past 4 years.

We believe it is time now to allow deaf people to have more say in matters that affect the quality of their life. We believe it is time now to select qualified deaf people to run programs or divisions. We are fast approaching the 21st century. We must control our destiny. We want to show you that we are no longer going to sit idly by and allow hearing people who do not understand us or our needs to continue to wreak our future.

Our educational needs suffered in the hands of hearing people who thought they were doing the best for us without even asking us (the consumer: the product: the result) what would have been a better way to give us an education that we could be proud of.

We are at a point where we must say that we need more control over the Division of Services to the Hearing Impaired/Deaf. We are asking once again that people in position of power ask us, the deaf, what we want. And when given an answer, follow through with it.

We need clarification on the meaning of hearing impaired and deaf.

For seventy-five years plus, educational and rehabilitation officials who could hear invested money into programs to try and improve and educate the deaf while making sure that none of the deaf who were in their programs would ever rise above their own positions. Now we, the deaf, want to prove that part of their investments were worthwhile to a degree by choosing a deaf person to run the Division of Services to the Hearing Impaired/Deaf” (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, May 1988, p. 2).

Did You Know?

Under the leadership of President Stephen Persinger of the Utah Association of the Deaf, Utah made history by becoming the first state in the nation to replace the term 'Hearing Impaired' with 'Deaf and Hard of Hearing' in state law. Utah House Bill (HB) 60, which amended the Utah State Code on March 17, 2017, mandated this monumental change. This significant milestone reflects the advocacy efforts of the Utah Association of the Deaf.

The Deaf community perceives the term "hearing impaired" as negative and often offensive, as it suggests a broken condition. This label tends to emphasize the limitations of Deaf individuals rather than celebrating their abilities. The Deaf community values its unique culture, which includes its own language, traditions, values, and norms. Embracing this change empowers and inspires the Deaf community in Utah and supports the broader movement for disability rights.

Deaf Vent Frustration
and Criticize the New Division

The chamber of the Utah State Board of Education was filled with members of the Utah Deaf community, who gathered not to express concerns but to demand change. They passionately voiced their dissatisfaction with both the short- and long-term goals of the Division of Services for the Hearing Impaired. Several Deaf individuals spoke out, insisting, "We must control our own destiny. We are no longer willing to sit idly by and watch as hearing people undermine our programs and dictate our future" (Campbell, Deseret News, April 1988).

Rodney W. Walker, president of the local Gallaudet alumni association, emphasized that the Utah Deaf community has faced oppression from hearing individuals. He noted that they shared similar feelings of marginalization with their fellow students at Gallaudet University (Campbell, Deseret News, April 1988).

'Deaf Vent Frustrations and Criticize New Division. Source: Deseret News, April 1, 1988

Rodney W. Walker. Source: The Utah Eagle, April 1955

Lloyd H. Perkins stated that in Utah, people tend to treat deafness similarly to how they view AIDS—a condition to be avoided. He also observed that Utah has not offered Deaf individuals leadership opportunities, either at the deaf school or in rehabilitation programs. Lloyd referenced a statement from the Gallaudet protest: "When hearing individuals believe they must take care of the deaf, this reflects clear prejudice, discrimination, and ignorance" (Campbell, Deseret News, April 1988).

Lloyd H. Perkins

"The new division is a step in the right direction." "The new division is a positive step forward," said Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a former director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf at the State Office of Education. However, he criticized the Office of Rehabilitation for not consulting the Utah Deaf community before submitting the proposal to the Legislature. He stressed the importance of having a trained and experienced Deaf professional lead the division, arguing that someone with a deep understanding of Deaf people's needs and culture can effectively recognize and address those needs (Campbell, April 1988, Deseret News).

Jim Harper from Provo expressed that the Utah Deaf community felt under the control of hearing individuals. "They may be deaf, but they are not mentally impaired" (Campbell, Deseret News, April 1988). In response to public outcry from the Deaf community, particularly from UAD President Mortensen, the Utah State Board of Education decided to establish a new Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf to better serve the Utah Deaf community.

Jim Harper

The First Division Director Appointed for
the Utah Community Center
for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

After Jim Hilber resigned in 1988 to become a facilities specialist with the Division of Rehabilitation Services, the position he held became vacant. Hilber was a strong advocate for the establishment of a new community center for the deaf, and his efforts spanned several years. He collaborated with legislators, analysts, the Division of Facilities Construction and Management, and various other stakeholders. His partnership with the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities was particularly important in obtaining legislative funding for the Deaf Center (Sanderson, 2004).
During this period, Marilyn Tiller Call, who was hard of hearing and eventually became the director of the center, served as the executive director of the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities. During this time, she met Jim Hilber, Gene Stewart, and other Deaf advocates, as later detailed on this webpage (Sanderson, 2004).

The Utah Association for the Deaf and the broader Utah Deaf community came together to advocate appointing a Deaf director. In the September 1988 UAD Bulletin: President's Messages, UAD President Mortensen expressed, "Should the director of the new Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing be Deaf? This seems the most logical and wise choice. No matter how skilled and qualified a hearing person may be in the field of deafness or in understanding the psychology of deafness, Utah will still lag behind. Appointing a hearing director to lead the Deaf community would be a step backward in advancing our needs" (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, September 1988, p. 2).

In September 1988, an unexpected turn of events led to the selection of a Deaf individual as the next division director; however, the individual later declined the position for personal reasons. This development presented a challenging situation for Dr. Judy Buffmire and the screening committee, as they had already notified the other applicants about the selection of someone else for the role. They could not choose one of the other applicants without violating Equal Employment Laws (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, September 1988).

After consulting with members of the Utah Deaf community, Dr. Buffmire appointed Gene D. Stewart, a hearing vocational rehabilitation counselor, as the acting division director of the newly established Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH). Dr. Buffmire made this decision based on the unique circumstances and the urgent need for leadership (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, October 1988).

Kenneth C. Burdett of Ogden started a petition in the late spring of 1989 to support Gene Stewart as the DSDHH's permanent director. The petition received significant support, with over fifty Deaf individuals signing it. They presented it to Dr. Judy Buffmire, expressing their strong endorsement of Gene Stewart's leadership (Nelson, UAD Bulletin, October 1989; Darlene Stewart Cochran, interview with her brother, Gene Stewart, April 4, 2012).

Kenneth C. Burdett

On August 11, 1989, the Utah State Board of Education appointed Gene D. Stewart as the division director of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH). Prior to this appointment, he had served as the acting director for more than a year. Gene Stewart became the first official Division Director of the DSDHH (Nelson, UAD Bulletin, October 1989).

In 1988, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf (UCCD) in Bountiful, Utah, housed the DSDHH and expanded its services for Deaf consumers. Within this organization, there were two key roles: the Division Director, responsible for overseeing the division's overall operations and strategic direction, and the Director of the Community Center, who managed the day-to-day operations of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf.

At that time, Beth Ann Stewart Campbell served as the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. Her role and responsibilities remained unchanged under Gene Stewart's administration. Beth Ann reported to Gene, who reported to the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation.

Gene Stewart began his career as a rehabilitation counselor for the Utah Division of Rehabilitation Services in 1967. His primary focus was providing vocational rehabilitation to the Deaf community in Utah. As a Child of Deaf Adult (CODA), Gene grew up in a household with Deaf parents, Wayne Stewart and Georgia Mae, as well as Deaf siblings, Keith and Darlene Cochran. This background gave him a personal connection to the Utah Deaf community.

Inspired by his experiences and dedication to the community, Gene pursued further education. He became a qualified professional interpreter and graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in speech pathology and a minor in German. He earned a master's degree in Deaf education administration from California State University, Northridge. His extensive background prepared him well to lead the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Sanderson, 2004).
The Utah Association for the Deaf was enthusiastic about his appointment. Gene aimed to establish a new Utah Community Center for the Deaf (Sanderson, 2004).

Gene D. Stewart

Working on Getting a New Community Center
for the Deaf Building in Another Location

At the biennial convention of the Utah Association for the Deaf on June 16, 1989, Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, the executive director of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, made a significant announcement. After four years of relentless lobbying, she revealed that she had successfully secured substantial planning funds from the legislature for a new center for the deaf. This financial support demonstrated the government's strong commitment to the Utah Association for the Deaf and the community center's establishment (Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Sanderson reported that the formation of the Ad Hoc Planning Committee for the new Utah Community Center for the Deaf marked a significant milestone. The committee held its first meeting on July 5, 1989, after securing planning funds, demonstrating the collaborative spirit of the project. It comprised several Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, architects, and officials from the Utah State Division of Facilities Construction and Management. Among the Deaf members were Shirley Platt, Lee Shepherd, John Peebler, Norman Williams, Lloyd Perkins, Keith Lauritzen, Don Jensen, Dave Mortensen, Robert Sanderson, and Robert Gillespie (Sanderson, 2004).

The Ad Hoc Planning Committee delved into various issues in its meetings, demonstrating its commitment to thorough planning and community input. They discussed the budget for purchasing land, the size of the land, the square footage and construction of the building, the building's inclusions, its capacity, and other relevant matters. This comprehensive approach ensured that the Utah Community Center for the Deaf would meet the specific needs of the Utah Deaf community (Sanderson, 2004).

The primary priorities for the building included ensuring adequate lighting throughout the structure and implementing fire alarms and safety procedures that cater to Deaf individuals. Committed to inclusivity and equal opportunities, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf recognized the significance of sports within the Deaf community. Consequently, they planned to include a baseball diamond, a basketball court, and a gym with a stage. These facilities were intended to foster a strong sense of community and provide recreational opportunities for Deaf youth (Sanderson, 2004).

Sports have always played a vital role in the Deaf community. Deaf students, like their hearing peers in public schools, enjoy competing with other Deaf athletes across the country. Graduates from the Utah School for the Deaf in the local Deaf community wanted mainstreamed students to have the same opportunities at the center (Sanderson, 2004).

Norman Williams, a member of the Deaf Ad Hoc Planning Committee, visited several gyms while preparing for the architect's design of the proposed building plans. Unfortunately, he was unable to find one that he liked. Eventually, he visited the Idaho School for the Deaf, where he discovered a new full-sized basketball court with bleachers. Impressed by the gym's size, he recommended that the new center incorporate a similar design. As a result, they included a basketball court with movable bleachers in the gym (Kenneth L. Kinner, personal communication, 2008; Norman Williams, personal communication, May 8, 2012).

On September 20, 1989, Dr. Buffmire reconstituted the State Advisory Committee, adding seven new members. This committee played a crucial role in developing services and facilities for the Utah Deaf community and provided guidance for three years. Among its members was W. David Mortensen, who represented the Utah Deaf community (Sanderson, 2004).

In September 1989, Gene Stewart responded to a request from UAD President Mortensen to outline the responsibilities and staff of the newly established Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Gene highlighted the importance of involving the Utah Deaf community and actively served as an ally for them. Beginning his role in October 1988, Gene emphasized the importance of engaging and informing the Deaf community. Gene accomplished this through various channels, including the UAD Bulletin, the Deaf Services Advisory Committee, participation in UAD Board meetings, and individual conversations (Sanderson, 2004).

Deaf Members of the Ad Hoc Planning Committee

Shirley Platt

Lee Shepherd

John Peebler. UAD Bulletin, July 2003

Norman Williams

Lloyd H. Perkins

Keith Lauritzen

Donald Jensen

W. David Mortensen

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson @ Gallaudet University Archives

Robert Gillespie

Did You Know?

Mabel Bell, a columnist for the October 1989 UAD Bulletin under the pseudonym Ronald J. Nelson, wrote the following while the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was searching for a new director:

"Let me ask you a question. Can hearing people make the best possible decisions for the Deaf community without any feedback or representation from them? Up until very recently, every program set up by legislators or state agencies that affected the Deaf community was administered and staffed entirely by hearing people. Is this fair representation?

…It is long past time that Gallaudet had a deaf president, as testimony that deaf people are capable of leading themselves.

...Why aren't the State Board of Education and Voc Rehab, among others, selecting qualified deaf individuals to serve as administrators in programs that directly effecting the deaf community in Utah?

…Deafness should not be the only criteria for the job, but if the deaf applicant is an active member of the deaf community, the deaf applicant has something that no hearing person will ever be able to develop—an intimate understanding of deafness and its culture."

Ronald J. Nelson also stated, "I think Dr. Judy Buffmire did not ignore the deaf community." Initially, the deaf community enthusiastically supported the idea of appointing a deaf director, which led to their selection. However, several months later, the community changed its stance and preferred a hearing person to take on the director role. Additionally, various deaf organizations, including the DSDHH Advisory Council, endorsed the idea of a hearing individual taking on the director role. As a result, they selected a hearing person as the new director.

Ron remarked, "If the deaf community had remained steadfast in their support for a deaf director, would the outcome have been any different? We will never know" (Nelson, UAD Bulletin, October 1989, p. 3).

Ronald J. Nelson

Utah State Board of Education Gives
the New Utah Community Center for the
Deaf #1 Facility Priority

In January 1989, Gene Stewart, the Division Director of the Division for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, along with UAD officers W. David Mortensen and Lloyd H. Perkins, initiated a collective mission with the Utah Deaf community. They urged the community to support their efforts in lobbying for a new community center for the deaf in a different location. This request encouraged deaf individuals in Utah to write letters to their local senators and representatives, demonstrating unity and a shared purpose (Sanderson, 2004).

On September 8, 1989, the Utah State Board of Education recognized the significance of establishing the new Utah Community Center for the Deaf. They prioritized its construction, understanding that it would be a game-changer for the Utah Deaf community. With this support, the Utah Deaf community was in a stronger position to persuade the 1990 Legislature to fund the center's construction. The UAD officers were thrilled, knowing they were one step closer to creating a space where the community could thrive and learn (UAD Bulletin, September 1989).

The architectural firm Frandsen-Chamberlain, located in Ogden, Utah, completed the blueprints for the planned structure on October 1, 1989. The document included an executive summary of the project, effectively serving as a building proposal. The floor plan featured a full-sized basketball court in front of a large stage, making it a multi-use auditorium. Dr. Sanderson noted, "Part of the justification for the new center was the estimated cost of maintaining the old Bountiful Center," highlighting the impracticality of allocating funds for the upkeep and code compliance of an outdated building with a limited projected lifespan (Sanderson, 2004).

The state of Utah recognized the need to address the accessibility challenges faced by the Deaf population. They observed that Deaf individuals were often undereducated, underemployed, underrepresented, and socially isolated, which negatively impacted both the individuals and the community as a whole. In response to these concerns, the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing within the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation developed specialized services to increase the independence and productivity of Deaf adults while reducing their reliance on public funds. These services include interpreter referral assistance, support for youth, counseling, socialization opportunities, and resources for independent living.

The state concluded that the most effective way to deliver these specialized services would be through a dedicated rehabilitation facility. While the existing facility had a positive impact on the Utah Deaf community, the state acknowledged that issues related to building structure and location hindered the quality of services provided. Therefore, the Utah Deaf community was excited to learn that Governor Norman H. Bangerter supported their cause!

Governor Norman H. Bangerter Proposes
Funding for a New Center

In 1990, Utah Governor Norman H. Bangerter proposed funding for two projects aimed at benefiting the Utah Deaf community. However, the final decision on the funding rests with the Legislature. The proposed projects include a new community center for the deaf, valued at $3,359,100, and a consolidated Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, valued at $8,184,300. Gene Stewart and UAD President Mortensen encouraged members of the Utah Deaf community to attend legislative sessions to convey their concerns and show support for these projects. (UAD Bulletin, February 1990). Their active participation significantly influenced approval of these projects.

Success at Last!

The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation and the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing received budget approval from the Utah Legislature in 1990. Authorizations were granted for the following:

The Utah Community Center for the Deaf received funds for equipment and programs from 6-30-90.
The government provided permanent annual funding for the training and employment of interpreters.
The Utah Community Center for the Deaf has a yearly permanent budget to increase or improve its programming.
The Utah Community Center for the Deaf has received approval for building funds for a new Deaf Center (Sanderson, 2004).

It was a remarkable achievement! The search for a suitable plot of land for the new community center was quick and successful (Sanderson, 2004). After visiting the site, Gene Stewart, the Division Director, secured a unanimous agreement on a piece of property located at 5770 South 1500 West. "Isn't that a miracle!" he exclaimed with pride. A large group of Deaf and hearing individuals united in their vision and collaborated to turn this dream into a reality (UAD Bulletin, March 1990).

In the March 1990 issue of the UAD Bulletin, Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire granted Gene Stewart permission to sign a document on March 13, 1990, which authorized the purchase of the property for the new Deaf Center (UAD Bulletin, March 1990).

Did You Know?

In 1990, Utah legislators recognized a significant connection between two distinct projects: the Utah Community Center for the Deaf and the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. This highlighted the shared purpose behind both initiatives, even though they had different objectives.

With strong determination, the leadership of the Utah Deaf community and the administration of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind led an effective lobbying effort. Their dedication paid off when the Utah State Office of Education lent its support, prompting a swift response from legislators (Sanderson, 2004).

Groundbreaking!

On June 10, 1991, under a sunny sky, approximately 200 people gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Utah Community Center for the Deaf (UAD Bulletin, July 1991; Sanderson, 2004). Dr. Blaine Petersen from the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation welcomed the audience and introduced the speakers as the program unfolded (UAD Bulletin, July 1991).

Gene Stewart, Division Director of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, shared a heartfelt childhood memory. As a young boy, he recounted how he longed for a cap gun with an ivory handle. After much pleading, his father finally bought him the toy. However, Gene's excitement was short-lived when he realized he needed a cap for the gun and began to cry in the car, asking for one. Frustrated, his father returned the gun to Grand Central, leaving Gene without his desired toy. Gene used this story as an analogy to illustrate how the Utah Deaf community, through their patience and perseverance, ultimately achieved their goal of establishing their own community center (UAD Bulletin, July 1991).

At the event, Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, Director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, reassured the audience of her firm commitment to the project. She promised to document every step of the construction process meticulously, while Norman Williams, known for his attention to detail, would ensure the precise placement of every nail. Their dedication to adhering to the highest standards in both the building plans and construction instilled confidence in the Deaf community in Utah.

Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, the retired executive director of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, Lieutenant Governor Val Overson of Utah, and the architects all shared a common vision for the successful construction of the center. Their united commitment to this significant project fostered a strong sense of solidarity among the audience (UAD Bulletin, July 1991).

W. David Mortensen, president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, shared the history of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. He explained that the idea for the center first emerged in 1970. Mortensen described the challenges faced by UAD officers and the Utah Deaf community when dealing with the legislature. The process involved lobbying and overcoming delays to establish the first center in Bountiful. Following its establishment, an eight-year struggle ensued to secure a new building to better serve the deaf population. This journey was marked by determination and perseverance (UAD Bulletin, July 1991; Sanderson, 2004).

W. David Mortensen UAD president briefly outlines the history of the UCCD

Dr. Sanderson, the Chairman of the Utah Association for the Deaf and retired Director of USOR and UCCD, expressed deep gratitude and excitement as this dream is becoming a reality (UAD Bulletin, July 1991).

Dr. Robert Sanderson, UAD chairman and retired USOR state coordinator of services to the Deaf adults and UCCD director, spoke briefly, expressing deep gratitude to those who made it possible for the dream to come true for Deaf people in Utah

The crowd's ticket drawing selected a lucky Deaf individual to participate in the groundbreaking event. Larry Kinnett was the lucky winner. He joined Mary Guy-Sell, Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, Norman Williams, and Lt. Governor Val Overson in breaking ground on what would become a first-of-its-kind center for the deaf and hard of hearing in the country (UAD Bulletin, July 1991; Sanderson, 2004).

L-R: Norman Williams, Larry Kinnett, Mary Guy-Sell, Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, Lt. Governor Val Oveson and Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire host shovels and break ground

UAD President’s Message

Lyle G. Mortensen, the President of the Utah Association for the Deaf, expressed his gratitude to Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and David Mortensen in the UAD Bulletin, as follows:

“To Robert Sanderson and David Mortensen…a TREMENDOUS THANKS…for a job well done from the UAD members and the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing of Utah. You’ve made outstanding accomplishments and done excellent teamwork in providing us with list: the UCCD, interpreting services, telephone relay, TDD’s and repair services, and the new building complex Center which is more centrally located and will provide increased space and better activities and attendance. Our hats are off to your excellent leadership and to the past UAD Board of Directors which served you so well” (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, August 1991, p. 3; Sanderson, 2004).

Lyle G. Mortensen

Construction Begins

During the construction of the new Utah Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from 1991 to 1992, the Bountiful Center continued to serve the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. However, its location limited the programs' ability to meet the community's growing needs. For instance, the center could only offer basic classes and occasional social gatherings. Additionally, parking remained a significant issue, restricting access to the facilities. The new center's design was intended to require minimal maintenance, and everyone eagerly anticipated its completion (Sanderson, 2004).

Throughout the construction weeks, community members—especially those in the Deaf community—drove by the site with excitement and curiosity. Among them was Norman Williams, a devoted maintenance man who became intimately acquainted with the structure and its details. Norman was knowledgeable about the building's materials, care, and location. His dedication and insight reflected the pride and ownership that the Utah Deaf community felt toward the new center (Sanderson, 2004).

The Utah Community Center for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Opens its Doors

After a remarkable 46-year journey, the dream of establishing a permanent center became a reality. This journey began with the first ideas presented at the Utah Association of the Deaf Convention in 1946. The Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing officially opened its doors in 1992 in Taylorsville, Utah. This achievement stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication and active participation of the Utah Deaf community (Deseret News, September 26, 2003; Sanderson, 2004). Their continuous support and advocacy played a crucial role in making this dream come true.

The new 25,000-square-foot building was completed and ready for use in September 1992. Gene Stewart and Beth Ann Stewart Campbell delivered most of the ordered furniture. The director received the keys and assigned staff members to their respective offices. Utah's Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities now have a dedicated facility. To reflect the increasing number of individuals who are hard of hearing, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf added "hard of hearing" to its name, becoming the "Utah Community Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing." The Division for Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is located within this center (Sanderson, 2004). The establishment of the center marked a significant milestone for the Utah Deaf community, providing a dedicated space for community activities and services while fostering a sense of unity and empowerment among its members.

Dr. Sanderson enthusiastically described the new community center and the wide variety of events it offers. The center serves as a bustling hub of activity, hosting classes, social gatherings, sports events, and conferences. The facilities are exceptional, featuring a full-size gymnasium, a spacious kitchen, a weight and exercise room, a lounge and library, a bookstore, and a room dedicated to assistive technology demonstrations. This room is significant, as it allows Deaf and hard of hearing individuals to test various communication devices, showcasing our community's progress and growth (Sanderson, 2004).

Gene Stewart observed the growing development of programs to support Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents and adults. In June 1992, just three months before the Utah Community Center for the Deaf relocated to Taylorsville, the increasing workload prompted the creation of a program director position, a decision that carried significant weight. This change occurred in March 1992, following the retirement of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, who was the director at that time. Marilyn Tiller Call, a hard of hearing individual and the former executive director of the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities, applied for the position (Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 15, 2023).

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell retired on March 13, 1992, citing several reasons for her decision: a lack of a college degree, insufficient support from her previous supervisor, Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire—who had also retired as the executive director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation—and a general lack of support from male individuals in positions of authority (Campbell, UAD Bulletin, March 1992; Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, personal communication, December 7, 2023).

After Beth Ann's retirement, the director position was reclassified to program director, which helped clarify roles and responsibilities within the organization. Marilyn Tiller Call, who assumed the program director role, contributed her fresh perspective and valuable experience, further improving the organization's operations.

Marilyn, who has extensive experience as the executive director of the Legislative Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities, has been a strong advocate for people with disabilities before the Utah State Legislature. She accepted the role of program director, which instilled confidence in her ability to lead effectively (Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 16, 2023). Additionally, Marilyn is a mother of two Deaf children: Ashley, who is autistic, and Camille, who is deaf (Sanderson, 2004). This personal experience has given her a profound understanding of the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

Did You Know?

According to Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf was more than just a building; it was a testament to the power of collaboration. It was the first center in the United States specifically designed for the deaf by a state, with careful consideration for the needs of Deaf individuals. This design process involved active participation from Deaf individuals rather than being a top-down decision, which highlights its significance in the history of the Utah Deaf community (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, July 1991, p. 7).

The Dedication of the
Utah Community Center of the Deaf Building

In the spring of 1993, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf was inaugurated, highlighting the commitment of the Utah Deaf community. Participants gathered to plant flowers, share their thoughts, enjoy food and drinks, explore the center, and engage in conversations (Stewart, DSDHH Newsletter, June 1993).

During the event, Grant Hurst, the chairman of the Utah State Board of Education, spoke about the tireless efforts of the Utah Association for the Deaf and reiterated the Board's unwavering support. Regional Rehabilitation Commissioner James Dixon, on behalf of the Regional Office, presented Blaine Petersen, the dedicated Executive Director of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, and Gene Stewart, the esteemed Division Director of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with heartfelt greetings and a well-deserved plaque in their honor (Stewart, DSDHH Newsletter, June 1993).

The event featured active participation from several Deaf individuals, including Dr. Robert Sanderson, Lyle Mortensen, Norman Williams, and Lisa Cochran, who is the daughter of C. Roy and Darlene Stewart Cochran. They shared their personal journeys, current experiences, and visions for the future of the new Deaf community center. Representative Judy Ann Buffmire and her husband, La Mar Buffmire, were also in attendance and engaged in conversations with their Deaf friends. Additionally, Kay McDonough, a dedicated member of the Utah State Board of Education, and her husband, Gene, enjoyed the ceremony as attendees (Stewart, DSDHH Newsletter, June 1993).

Lisa Cochran

Robert and Mary Sanderson's son, Gary Sanderson, captivated the audience with his insightful and engaging presentation about interpreters. Steve Zacharias composed a beautiful poem, and Steve and Kristi Mortensen performed it in American Sign Language to accompany his talk (Stewart, DSDHH Newsletter, June 1993).

Gary Sanderson

Steve Zakharias’s Poem

We meet to dedicate a building.
We meet a center to bless.
Through our presence
On this historic day.
A landmark – our success

We meet to dedicate this day
At this historic space
When we can proudly now proclaim
In the course of Utah’s deaf.
“This is, indeed, the Place.”

Within these walls a culture thrives
A culture of our own
With our own language.
Our design.
A place to call our home.

We bless this center with our hearts
That it may always be
The center place
To set the pace
For our own destiny.

We bless this center with our minds
That we may share our thought.
Our goals, our triumphs,
And ourselves
That which our hands wave wrought.

We bless this center with our eyes
So we may communicate clear
And teach those
Who don’t understand
The way to use that’s dear.

We bless this center with our time
For generations here.
And for those yet to come
May we make successes bold.
In these halls where eyes can hear.

For many years we sought the funds.
A center for us all.
A place, a home.
A space where friends can meet.
Not many heard our call.

Took 18 long years, but we prevailed!
A building, new, and strong.
Thanks to the people
Of our State.
A place where we belong.

While there be those who do not care
Or see as we’re not.
We’ll show the world
How it is done.
With equal access wrought.

We bless this building with our hands.
With which we work and speak.
May it remain
For many years.
Its shelter strong we seek.

We meet to dedicate a building.
We meet a center to bless.
Through our presence here
On this historic day.
A landmark – our success.

We meet to dedicate this day
At this historic space
When we can proudly now proclaim
In the course of Utah’s deaf.
“This is, indeed the Place.”

Copyright by Steve Zakharias
Signed by Kristi Mortensen
(Zakharias, DSDHH Newsletter, June 1993, p. 3)

Kristi Mortensen

Gene Stewart Retires

Gene Stewart retired in July 1996, leaving behind an excellent team and a flourishing program for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Following a nationwide search, the succession process guaranteed that his successor was equally skilled and dedicated (Sanderson, 2004).

A New Director Takes Over

On September 3, 1996, William "Rusty" Wales was appointed Director of the Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the division, including the successful expansion of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Before taking on this role, Rusty had ten years of experience as a rehabilitation counselor in Denver, Colorado, and three years as a training supervisor at the Sprint Relay Center in Independence, Missouri (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, October 1996; Sanderson, 2004). The title of his position changed from Division Director to Director prior to his recruitment. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing Program Director Marilyn Tiller Call.

Rusty Wales, who was born deaf, was a Deaf individual with a profound commitment to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. He received his early education at the John Tracy Clinic in California, which significantly shaped his experiences. Later, he transferred to the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, where he graduated. Wales earned his bachelor's degree from Gallaudet College and a master's degree from California State University at Northridge while teaching and raising a family (Sanderson, 2004). His personal experiences as a Deaf person have greatly influenced his career and dedication to improving services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

William "Rusty" Wales

The addition of a new wing to the south end of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlights Rusty's lasting impact as director. Dr. Sanderson noted in 2004 that Rusty's early years in this role were characterized by the need to expand the facilities to accommodate growing programs and to gain support from the Utah Deaf community and lawmakers. Despite challenges such as a limited budget and the need to persuade stakeholders of the expansion's necessity, Rusty remained optimistic and dedicated, ensuring the project's success.

Dr. Sanderson also mentioned that the building was smaller than anticipated in 1992 due to budget constraints. Since then, consumer services have tripled, leading to a scarcity of office space and forcing employees to work in cramped conditions.

During the new center's first year of operation, between 1992 and 1993, it faced various challenges. The issue of fully booked public areas had only gotten worse over time. Due to high demand, it was challenging to schedule classrooms, which led to several community organizations having to plan programs and activities months in advance. They had to turn down numerous requests from public groups. The growing number of visitors and staff also caused parking problems, highlighting the need for further expansion (Sanderson, 2004).

The blueprint for the new wing, illustrated below, shows that the addition connects to the existing structure on the south side, increasing the building's total size by approximately 6,500 square feet. The new wing was constructed with brick that matches the exterior of the existing building. The new wing boasts key features such as a new lecture hall, a spacious office area that can accommodate 12 to 15 offices, a dedicated room for demonstrating assistive technology, two large classrooms with a movable divider, and two storage spaces. These facilities were specifically designed to meet the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. Furthermore, a new parking lot has been constructed to the south of the wing to address parking concerns (Sanderson, 2004).

A blue Print of the new wing

After getting approval from the Superintendent of the Utah State Office of Education and the Utah State Board of Education, Dr. Blaine Petersen, Executive Director of Rehabilitation Services, recognized the need and submitted a formal request to the legislature (Sanderson, 2004).

Rusty, with the support of many members of the Utah Deaf community and officers from the Utah Association for the Deaf, Utah State Office of Education and Rehabilitation Services, lobbied the capital facilities subcommittee together, which ultimately led to success (Sanderson, 2004).

As a state agency, the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing had to persuade a capital facilities subcommittee of the need for the building and space. Upon receiving the request, the State Building Board prioritized the various proposals from state departments and postsecondary institutions. The board assessed the availability of funds appropriated by the legislature for capital facility construction, repairs, and other needs. Based on their findings, the board established a priority list. The DSDHH was among the top ten listed agencies. There was a possibility of politics affecting the funding for the DSDHH and Utah Association for the Deaf, necessitating close monitoring. Therefore, priorities could change as the legislature's work progressed. Dr. Sanderson emphasized the need for constant vigilance (Sanderson, 2004).

New Wing for Division of Services
for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Approved!

The new wing, which reflects the dedication of Rusty Wales and the full cooperation of the Utah Association for the Deaf, is a state-of-the-art facility. Its development was made possible through the support of the Utah State Board of Education, the Office of Rehabilitation Services administrators, and, most importantly, key legislators. Dr. Sanderson expressed relief that this project did not fall to the bottom of the priority list, unlike in 1981 when funding for a new dairy barn for cows at Utah State University demoted a request for a new Deaf Center from fifth to eleventh place. "We were really naive back then," he remarked (Sanderson, 2004).

The limited funding for the project presented a challenge; however, the legislative committee's allocation of $1.5 million, combined with a request of $1 million for the new wing, turned out to be a fortunate development. The modest size of the funding request ensured that the wing received the necessary financial support, marking a significant achievement for the community (Sanderson, 2004).

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new addition to the Utah Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing took place on May 4, 2001. Staff members, representatives from both the Deaf and hearing communities, administrators, and legislators gathered to celebrate this occasion (UAD Bulletin, June 2001; Sanderson, 2004).

Construction began shortly after the ceremony, with only minor disruptions to the center's activities. Progress was on track, and the completion of the new wing was anticipated by January 2002 (Sanderson, 2004).

Utah Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2002

A change in administration occurred simultaneously. In July 2001, Rusty Wales secured a new position in the state of Washington, and Marilyn Tiller Call, his previous program director, assumed the role of Acting Director of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. After six months in the acting role and with the unwavering support and trust of the Utah Deaf community, she officially became the director in January 2002 (Sanderson, 2004).

The new wing of the building was completed on schedule in January 2002, and the opening ceremony took place in March (Sanderson, 2004).

Marilyn Tiller Call

Did You Know?

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson mentioned that Rusty, an administrator, conducted a strategic planning session to determine whether the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing should broaden its focus to include the hard of hearing population and whether it should maintain neutrality on communication methods. After a thorough discussion, the committee members reviewed the Utah Code related to the division and agreed to provide services to individuals who are Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or who have cochlear implants.

In support of an internal communication policy, everyone at the Sanderson Community Center should be able to understand and communicate effectively with one another. Additionally, all staff members, regardless of being deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing, are required to sign what they communicate in the halls and common areas. This initiative has transformed the center into a barrier-free communication zone. The division has worked diligently to provide services, including signing interpreters, voice interpreters, and real-time captioning, among others (Sanderson, 2004; Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, October 15, 2009).

How the Division of Services to the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs
Grew to Fit the New Building

When the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing moved to its new location in 1992, it faced a limited service budget. Marilyn Tiller Call, who had extensive experience on Capitol Hill and strong relationships with many politicians, was appointed as the program director. Her arrival marked a turning point for the organization, as she recognized the need to expand essential social services to meet the building's higher standards (Sanderson, 2004).

In 1988, the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing came into existence. The Office of Rehabilitation, comprising four divisions, renamed the Division of Rehabilitation as part of this process. This significant change allowed DSDHH to grow and marked a proud moment in the organization's history (Sanderson, 2004).

Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire's decision to approve SB 218 marked a significant advancement; however, it inadvertently excluded Deaf individuals from consideration. Nevertheless, she empowered Rehabilitation Services and its four divisions to request annual line-item funding for new programs, a provision that would later prove vital for the division's expansion (Sanderson, 2004).

With the approval of SB 218, consistent annual funding was secured for services such as counseling, case management, classes for hard of hearing individuals, and training and certification for interpreters. This reliable funding not only stabilized the organization's finances but also led to a notable increase in the Division's budget, amounting to approximately $1.5 million over a decade, while services expanded significantly. Each year, Deaf and hard of hearing individuals advocated for funding requests, further demonstrating the organization's commitment to meeting their needs (Sanderson, 2004).

Source: Utah State Office of Rehabilitation Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Renaming the Utah Community Center
of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to the
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center
of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

When Marilyn Tiller Call was the director of the Utah Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, she emphasized the importance of transforming the center into the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She firmly believed that the center should be named after a Deaf individual to honor the tireless advocacy efforts of the Deaf community, which were essential for the center’s existence (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003; Sanderson, 2004).

Marilyn believed the Deaf Center, located in the Wasatch Front, was like a second home for individuals with hearing loss. It was a space where communication barriers didn't exist, serving as a safe haven for the community. She proposed renaming the center after a notable figure in the Deaf community: Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, who had made significant contributions to the Deaf culture.

In 2003, Marilyn shared her dream of renaming the community center with a friend. She wanted to honor a Deaf hero and legend with this gesture. However, her friend dismissed the idea, arguing that naming buildings after people was ridiculous. He predicted that in 25 or 30 years, no one would know who Bob Sanderson was.

Taken aback by his perspective, Marilyn responded, "That is exactly why we need to name this building after a Deaf leader. People must be aware of those who came before them. We need to spark their curiosity and inspire appreciation for their contributions." (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003; Sanderson, 2004).

Despite her friend's lack of support for the idea, Marilyn passionately maintained that honoring past leaders was essential to fostering awareness and appreciation within the community.

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell

Marilyn highlighted that the community center would not have come into existence without the persistent and coordinated advocacy efforts of the Utah Deaf community over the past five decades. She expressed her hope that future visitors to the community center, over the next twenty to fifty years, would learn about Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and other influential Deaf leaders from the 1990s, such as W. David Mortensen and Dennis Platt, and recognize their significant contributions (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003; Sanderson, 2004).

According to Marilyn, Deaf leaders had been advocating for the community center for forty-six years. They also lobbied for essential services, including the relay system and interpreters, which are now available to the Deaf population in Utah. A century ago, Deaf individuals faced prohibitions on marrying or obtaining a driver's license. Marilyn wanted everyone to appreciate the remarkable achievements of this small group of Deaf leaders in Utah, which they accomplished through their hard work and sacrifices (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003; Sanderson, 2004).

To Marilyn, Dr. Sanderson was comparable to the Old Faithful geyser. A new sign at Yellowstone National Park indicates that Old Faithful is no longer as tall or as fast as it used to be, possibly due to earthquakes and pollution. Nevertheless, it remains the park's most reliable geyser. Marilyn explained that while Dr. Sanderson may not walk as quickly or jump as high anymore, he is always there to do his job when needed, much like Old Faithful (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003; Sanderson, 2004).

Marilyn Tiller Call Gives a Speech
at the Utah State Board of Education

Marilyn Tiller Call advocated renaming the community center to the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing during a meeting with the Utah State Board of Education on August 1, 2003. She highlighted the importance of honoring the decision made by the Utah Deaf community to acknowledge Dr. Sanderson, a distinguished educator and advocate for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Marilyn explained the careful deliberation and collective agreement that led to this selection (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003).

Dr. Sanderson was the initial hire to establish a rehabilitation service program for individuals who are Deaf. The many services we have today stem from his creation of a Deaf Unit of Vocational Rehabilitation.
He was the chairman of the Feasibility Study committee, which submitted the findings to Dr. Talbot in 1975. This officially began a quest for funding for a center, culminating in 1988.
For over 40 years, he has lobbied the legislature for better services for Deaf and hard of hearing Utahns. Many of the services provided to the Deaf community today were his original ideas.
He was the first Deaf professional hired by the Utah State Board of Education.
He is the first Deaf person in Utah to get a doctorate. He didn't need this for his job; he just wanted to prove that Deaf people could do it.
When he retired in 1985, he didn't quit working for the cause. He just stopped getting paid. He continued to serve as an advocate. Almost 20 years past retirement, he never missed an opportunity to lead and advocate for the deaf. He continued to drive down to the Capitol, even on snowy days, to lobby for the cause also continued to drive from Roy to the Deaf Center 2 or 3 times a week. He served on various committees and boards, volunteered at the bookstore, and more.

The Utah State Board of Education unanimously supported renaming the community center after Dr. Sanderson (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003).

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson

Historic Moment

During the Utah State Board of Education meeting, Marilyn Tiller Call delivered a persuasive speech advocating for renaming the Utah Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Several influential individuals attended the meeting, including Ronald J. Nelson, president of the Utah Association for the Deaf; W. David Mortensen; Shanna Mortensen; Kristi Mortensen; Robert Sanderson; Mary Sanderson; Dennis Platt; Camille Call-Garcia; Kathy Evans; and Mitch Jensen.

Mary & Robert Sanderson

Dr. Sanderson became emotional and teary-eyed as he thanked the board for approving the name change. Ronald J. Nelson, the UAD President, also expressed his appreciation for the unanimous vote, calling it a historic moment. He credited his good fortune to being surrounded by people at the right time, particularly mentioning his wife, Mary Sanderson, and Dave Mortensen.

President Nelson emphasized their luck in having the previous center named after one of their own, which provided another reason to take pride in the center and commit to maintaining it (Nelson, UAD Bulletin, September 2003).

The Celebration of the
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center

A grand celebration honoring Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a prominent leader in the Utah Deaf community, took place on October 4, 2003, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. The event was attended by approximately 1,000 people, including Dr. Sanderson, his wife Mary, their two sons Gary and Barry, their spouses, and children. Notable attendees included Representative Judy Ann Buffmire, Governor Olene S. Walker, and Dr. Blaine Petersen. Dr. I. King Jordan, the president of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., also participated in the festivities, flying in specifically to deliver a speech at the ceremony. Dr. Jordan and Dr. Sanderson shared a long-standing friendship; Dr. Sanderson served on the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet College during the 1988 Deaf President Now movement (Sanderson, 2004).

Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program Book, October 4, 2003

Dr. I. King Jordan with his wife, Linda walking into the Sanderson Community Center

Marilyn Tiller Call compared Dr. Sanderson to the Energizer Bunny, highlighting his unwavering commitment to activism even at the age of 83. His resilience and refusal to give up on his mission to improve the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing are truly inspiring. His widespread popularity and the renaming of the building in his honor as the Robert G. Sanderson Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are fitting tributes to his tireless efforts (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003).

Dr. Sanderson meets Beth Ann Stewart Campbell in a pleasant encounter

The Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the first state building to be named after a Deaf individual. It symbolizes pride and serves as a hub for the Deaf community in Utah. In his humble manner, Dr. Sanderson expressed surprise and gratitude for this honor, recognizing it as a shared achievement with his supportive family, friends, and colleagues. This center stands as a testament to the collective efforts of the Utah Deaf community (Urbani, October 2003, Deseret News).

For more information about the event, you can visit the webpage dedicated to Robert G. Sanderson's Honoring Ceremony.

L-R: Herb Larson, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and Marilyn Tiller Call

Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Governor of Utah and the Chairperson of the Utah State Board of Education sent letters to Dr. Robert G. Sanderson recognizing the Deaf Center in his name in 2003

The Sanderson’s Memorial Stones and Bench

After the passing of Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's wife, Mary, in October 2008, he and his son Barry spoke with Marilyn Tiller Call about creating a memorial for her consisting of a bench and a stone. Recognizing the family's strong connection to the center, Marilyn agreed that this would be a fitting tribute and granted her permission. The building is named after Dr. Sanderson, and knowing that his time might come soon, they discussed several potential locations for the bench and memorial stone with Marilyn, who had a deep understanding of the grounds. They felt Mary's spirit was guiding them to a spot near a playground where children could play happily.

On March 31, 2012, Dr. Sanderson added his name and dates to his wife Mary's memorial stone. This stone also honors Gary Sanderson, who passed away in 2011, and it is the same stone as his father's. Gary was a nationally renowned interpreter and served as the director of the CSUN National Center on Deafness in California (Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, March 21, 2012).

Barry, Mary, Robert, & Gary Sanderson

Sculpture Unveiled at Celebration

In her article for the November 2012 issue of the UAD Bulletin, Valerie G. Kinney highlighted the 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center, where a metal sculpture of Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, the community center's namesake, was unveiled (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, November 2012).

The sculpture was created by Trenton Marsh, a talented metalworker and Deaf interpreter trainer associated with the Utah Interpreter. This sculpture symbolizes Dr. Sanderson's legacy and features the inscription, "When we lose the right to be different, we lose the right to be free." It is a testament to his life's work and profound impact on the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. The sculpture also includes Dr. Sanderson's birth date, February 20, 1920, and his date of death, February 25, 2012, serving as a reminder of his remarkable journey (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, November 2012).

Trenton Marsh @ StreetLeverage.com

Dr. Sanderson's family was present at the sculpture unveiling, including his son Barry, wife Teresa Sanderson, grandson Robert and his wife Nicole Sanderson, granddaughter McKalle, and her husband Tyler Dahl. When asked about his emotions during the event, Barry stated, "What struck me the most was that Dad would have been overjoyed to see so many people there, young and old." He reflected on the initial discussions about creating a community center, noting, "I don't think they had any idea of what it would become. It's a dream fulfilled, providing a place for social events and the resources necessary for happy, productive lives for many generations to come. We were honored to be there" (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, November 2012, p. 1).

Barry Sanderson and his wife, Teresa

Marilyn Tiller Call, the director, spoke during the Italian dinner about how five Deaf leaders formed a feasibility committee in 1975 to explore ways to create a center for the deaf and hard of hearing. W. David Mortensen was the only surviving member of the original five. The others who have passed away include Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Ned C. Wheeler, Dora B. Laramie, and Lloyd H. Perkins (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, November 2012).

A sculpture of Dr. Robert G. Sanderson created by Trenton Marsh

The event theme was "Roaring 20s Party," which was reflected in the 1920s outfits worn by some of the approximately 300 participants. Marilyn noted that the number 20 held personal significance for her—October 20, the 1920s era, the 20th-anniversary celebration, Dr. Sanderson's birthday on February 20, and her own birth year, 1920 (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, November 2012).

After dinner, guests played games such as shuffleboard, pinball, bingo, and a costume contest. Many enjoyed showing off their dancing skills. "It was an evening to remember long after everyone had gone home," remarked Valarie Kinney (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, November 2012).

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's Motto:
"Do Your Homework!"

In October 2006, during a board meeting of the Utah Association for the Deaf, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a prominent figure in the Utah Deaf community. I was eager to learn more about his role as a Deaf Education Advocate, his involvement in communication methods, and the controversies surrounding educational approaches and placements. As I prepared to take notes, Dr. Sanderson shared some fascinating stories. However, when I asked him more questions, he looked at me and famously said, "Do your homework," a lesson he always repeated to others. His advice to check the UAD Bulletins, newspapers, and other sources was not just a suggestion but a profound insight that would shape my understanding of the Utah Deaf community. His words were not just a passing comment; they were a guiding principle that significantly influenced my work and inspired me to explore the history of the Utah Deaf community. This motivation also led me to delve deeper into the topic and eventually create a website dedicated to Utah Deaf History, a platform that would preserve and share the rich history of the Utah Deaf community.

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson. Source: From Oaks to Acorns: Promoting Deaf Youth Leadership Through Multigenerational Engagement.

In 2008, I purchased a copy of Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's book "A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" for my Utah Deaf History project. In his book, he included an outline detailing the process of establishing the Deaf Center through legislation. I chuckled when I noticed that he included his famous motto, "Do your homework!" on each page, reminding me of a quote he shared during our 2006 interview. With its insightful content, this book played a significant role in shaping the Utah Deaf History Project and has left a lasting impact, enlightening us about the journey of the Utah Deaf community, notably the Utah Association for the Deaf.

Source: Do your homework! How Utah's Deaf People Got a Community Center of their Own. Outlined by Dr. Robert G. Sanderson

I want to express my sincere appreciation for Dr. Sanderson's exceptional contribution to Utah Deaf History. His careful documentation of events in the UAD Bulletins, along with his collection of newspapers covering the activities of the Utah Deaf community, has been instrumental in helping us understand the community's rich history. We are incredibly grateful for his efforts, especially for making his "Homework Motto" available on this website.

Advocacy by the the Division of
Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Prior to the 2016 merger of the Department of Workforce Services, the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was a crucial source of information and support for a community with shared values, language, tradition, and service needs. It provided Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Late Deafened individuals with access to communication, services, and education without barriers, ultimately improving their quality of life. The DSDHH also empowered and valued the community, ensuring access to information and representation in the larger community. The Utah Deaf Community took pride in having a state agency dedicated to its population, which served as a vital source of information and services, as well as facilitated advocacy and education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. However, the merger brought changes detailed in the following section, "Office of Rehabilitation Amendments, House Bill 325, and Its Impact on the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing."

Shanna & David Mortensen

Office of Rehabilitation Amendments,
House Bill 325 and Its Impact
on the Division of Services of the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney

Published in 2017
Updated in 2024

Author's Note

This section aims to help the community understand the importance of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center and the invaluable services it provides to the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened communities in Utah, not to paint the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) in a negative light.

While the Utah Deaf Community appreciates DWS's efforts to collaborate with the Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH), it is essential to note that House Bill 325, concerning the Office of Rehabilitation Amendments, has affected the DSDHH since the merger of DWS and DSDHH in 2016.

We value the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the services it provides. Understanding the changes that have occurred is essential.

As the author of this website and a former DSDHH and DWS Task Force member, I have attached the document titled "Changes and Impact of the Move of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Governance of the Department of Workforce Services." Those interested in learning more about the DSDHH and DWS Task Force's study and its impact on various areas listed below can refer to this document.

Despite opposition from some individuals, the public release of the findings is long overdue, particularly given the publication of the study in 2018. This study is not merely a document; it is a part of our history, and understanding it is crucial for our community.

Jodi Becker Kinner

The Division of Services to the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing is Forced to move to the Department of Workforce Services

Before 2016, the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) operated independently in Utah, with minimal oversight from the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. In 2016, the legislature passed House Bill 325, also known as the "Office of Rehabilitation Amendments," which placed the DSDHH under the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). This change was prompted by an audit conducted the previous year that identified issues with fund management in the Vocational Rehabilitation program administered by the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. The audit revealed a $6 million overspending and improper management of funds, which led the Utah State Board of Education to transfer oversight of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) to a separate agency.

Standing is Cathy Holt, a Deaf advocate at the legislature session

During the legislative session, the board of directors of the Utah Association of the Deaf (UAD), which includes Stephen Persinger, Philippe Montalette, Pamela Mower, and David Samuelsen, played a crucial role. They demonstrated remarkable resilience and dedication by dedicating significant time and effort to the legislative process. They worked closely with Representative Norm Thurston, the sponsor of HB 325, to ensure the necessary revisions were made (Persinger, UAD Bulletin, April 2016). Their unwavering commitment to protecting services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) is truly admirable.

Back L-R: David Samuelsen, Philipp Montalette, Stephen Persinger, Joseph Nelson Front L-R: Catherine Holt, Pamela Mower

Marilyn Tiller Call, the Director of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH), discussed the significant changes set to occur prior to the passage of House Bill 325. The Department of Workforce Services took over the management of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR), transitioning it from the Utah State Board of Education. During the legislative process, the Utah Association of the Deaf and the broader Utah Deaf community opposed this change, raising several concerns that required attention. Despite compelling testimonies provided during the appropriation committee meeting, a representative from the Governor's Office indicated that there would not be a separate agency for USOR. Shortly after that, the Governor's Office introduced House Bill 325. Representative Norm Thurston and Senator Allen Christensen sponsored the bill (Call, DSDHH Newsletter, April 2016). This legislation significantly impacted the DSDHH and the Utah Deaf Community. However, staff from DSDHH and board members from the Utah Association of the Deaf collaborated with the bill's sponsors to ensure the protection of services at the Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Utah.

Marilyn T. Call

The original draft of HB 325 raised significant concerns. Marilyn Tiller Call noted, "It omitted the Interpreter Certification Program and appeared to eliminate Division Directors and Divisions, opting instead to consolidate all of USOR's Divisions under Darin Brush" (Call, DSDHH Newsletter, April 2016, p. 1). UAD officers intervened, stating that they could not support the bill without ensuring the Sanderson Community Center's and its programs' protection. As a result, HB 325 underwent two amendments. The second version of HB 325 included protections for DSDHH and its two locations in Taylorsville and St. George (Call, DSDHH Newsletter, April 2016). The bill continued to be amended, incorporating the following changes:

In most bills, the term 'hearing impaired' was replaced with 'deaf' and/or 'hard of hearing.'.
The Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be called a Division (before it would have been changed to the Office of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing).
In the old version, the director of DSDHH was not included. It now says assistant director (change from director to assistant director).
The Director of DSDHH will be responsible for appointing four professional interpreters to the Interpreter Certification Board (Persinger, UAD Bulletin, April 2016, p. 2).

Back LR: Marilyn Tiller Call, David Samuelsen, Philippe Montalette, Pamela Mower, Stephen Persinger, Rep. Norm Thurston, Kent McGregor Front: Utah Governor Gary Herbert

The Study of the DWS/DSDHH
Legislative Task Force

The UAD activists requested that Representative Norm Thurston petition the Audit Subcommittee to conduct an assessment by October 2017 to evaluate whether the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services would be a suitable fit under the Department of Workforce Services. This request was approved (Persinger, UAD Bulletin, April 2016).

"This session was a wild roller coaster ride," remarked Marilyn Tiller Call. She believes the former advocates who have passed away would be pleased to see the younger advocates collaborating effectively to protect DSDHH, its mission, and its services (Call, DSDHH Newsletter, April 2016). However, the transition from the Utah State Board of Education to the Department of Workforce Services impacted various aspects, including identity, mission, alignment of values, communication and authorization, operations and accessibility, policy and procedure, and morale.

Source: DSDHH Newsletter, April 2016

After the 2016 merger of DWS and DSDHH, the DWS/DSDHH Legislative Task Force was established. Dawn Mancil Duran, an ASL interpreter, chaired this task force, which included Deaf representatives such as Dr. Dan Hoffman, Stephen Persinger, Pamela Mower, and Jodi Becker Kinner. In March 2018, a thorough structural system analysis revealed the challenges of separating the Sanderson Community Center from DWS.

The transfer of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to another organization requires approval from the Department of Workforce Services, the Governor of Utah, and the Utah State Board of Education. While the DWS was open to collaborating with and supervising the DSDHH, the Utah State Board of Education declined to cooperate. Consequently, the Sanderson Community Center had to comply with DWS policies, training, and other requirements.

To learn more about the task force's study, including the various areas mentioned above, click "Changes and Impact of the Move of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Governance of the Department of Workforce Services."

Source: Task Force Report, March 2018. 'Changes and Impact of the Move of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Governance of the Department of Workforce Services'

Members of the DSDHH and DWS Task Force

Dawn Mancil Duran @ aslcomm.com

Dr. Dan Hoffman @ gymjohnny.wixsite.com

Stephen Persinger

Pamela Mower @ utrid.com

Jodi Becker Kinner

Following the DSDHH and DWS merger, the Sanderson Community Center faced significant challenges, including a loss of ownership, autonomy, and identity. The DSDHH Director and Deaf leaders no longer have the authority to advocate for the services and resources needed at the center, as DWS now employs its own lobbyists. Additionally, DWS prohibits staff members from using the Utah Association of the Deaf to lobby on behalf of the Sanderson Community Center. The absence of staff members at the UAD Conference and on the board in 2021 also marked a significant dynamic shift.

Despite these changes, the Sanderson Community Center remains committed to serving the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Late Deafened communities in Utah. The center remains committed to its mission and strives for collaboration with DWS.

Dan V. Mathis, Assistant Director

Dan V. Mathis, a Deaf Utah native, the grandson of John F. and Vida White, and the nephew of longtime vocational rehabilitation counselor Jack White, became the Assistant Director on March 5, 2018, following Marilyn Tiller Call's retirement in 2017. He was committed to building community and interagency relations, as well as providing services and opportunities for community members to benefit from DSDHH. During his tenure, the Sanderson Community and the Southern Utah Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program centers hosted community events, learning activities, training sessions, workshops, and town hall meetings.

Under his leadership, the Sanderson Center facilities underwent significant upgrades, including new sliding doors for the main entry, a security camera system, a back fence gate, LED lights in parking lots, pathway handrails to the main and southwest entry doors, and a dual lawnmower/snowblower tractor, among others. Furthermore, Dan established a collaboration with DSDHH staff, community leaders, and members, who successfully brought Protactile training to Utah.

In addition, Dan assisted with another achievement of immense significance: the development of a project timeline for the new Utah interpreter certification exams and the Utah Interpreter Program webpage. These initiatives are crucial as they aim to elevate and modernize interpreting standards for the Deaf and interpreting communities in the state and regions, ensuring a higher quality of services and opportunities for all.

Dan V. Mathis. Source: University of Washington

On a regular basis, Dan would visit the SUDHHP office to show his commitment to the staff and community in southern Utah, particularly in St. George. In his effort to foster community collaboration, he and SUDHHP director Grant Pemberton engaged with a group of business people, educators, and community leaders in the St. George area, highlighting the programs and services offered by SUDHHP for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in the region. They also connected with the DWS and USOR offices to improve networking and support for a strengthened partnership with SUDHHP. Leveraging his strong relationship with the Utah School for the Deaf, Dan played a crucial role in assisting Associate Superintendent Michelle Tanner of the Utah School for the Deaf in securing the lease of vacant space adjacent to SUDHHP's office for the expansion of the Utah School for the Deaf's South Deaf Ed outreach program. Dan's steadfast ambition was to reach out to families of young Deaf children, particularly in rural and developing areas, to support their overall wellness and development in all aspects of their lives.

Among the many achievements and activities during Dan's tenure, one standout event was the collaboration with the Deaf LGBTQ+ Community and the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf to host an 'Ally Night' at the Sanderson Center. This event, which saw the participation of community members, advocates and allies, parents, and interested participants, was a resounding success and a significant moment for this particular community. This event brought Dan's vision of a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment to life, requiring patience, understanding, dialogue, and mutual trust.

Unfortunately, during Marilyn Tiller Call's final leadership stage, the state legislature moved DSDHH to the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, placing it under the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). This decision caused dissatisfaction and mistrust. Before Dan took over, the Utah Association of the Deaf conducted a study on the merger with DWS and finalized their report. However, the report findings were held by the UAD Board, which included several DSDHH staff, for a long time, leading to ongoing debates on the next steps. Eventually, extensive mediation led to a resolution. However, another important issue arose regarding the DSDHH staff's compliance with certain policies and procedures, including mandatory yearly training and staff evaluations. This highlighted the need for staff accountability and the provision of better resources for their professional training and development.

Despite Dan's leadership and his continuous efforts to make progress, the challenges, conflicts, and constant struggle within DSDHH's transformation to integrate with DWS became unnecessarily stressful. This prompted Dan to resign for his own well-being, a decision that caused a tremendous loss for the Utah Deaf community. Nonetheless, Dan demonstrated exceptional resilience and adaptability as well as his efforts and contributions to the community center.

Even though the DWS made its best efforts to collaborate with the DSDHH, the center's identity underwent significant changes due to the merger. Nevertheless, the Sanderson Community Center remains committed to serving the Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Deaf Deafened, and DeafDisabled communities in Utah.

A New Logo of the Division of Services
of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Following Dan Mathis's resignation, Annette Stewart, a hearing social worker at the Sanderson Community Center, was appointed interim assistant director on April 16, 2019. We greatly appreciate her dedication and hard work during this period. Nine months later, on January 13, 2020, Arlene Garcia Gunderson, who is Deaf, was appointed the new assistant director. Her unique perspective and wealth of skills have been invaluable to the team, and we also appreciate her services.

Annette Stewart

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Arlene demonstrated resilience and adaptability while working from home. Although she faced difficulties building relationships with DSDHH colleagues—primarily due to communication via Zoom—she still brought a unique perspective and valuable skills to the team. Under her leadership, the team not only overcame these obstacles but also successfully designed a new logo and renamed the division. On October 14, 2020, they unveiled the new logo and the division's name, reflecting their collective strength and determination. You can see the photos in the section below.

The Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing changed its name to the Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Arlene Garcia Gunderson

The DSDHH collaboratively decided to create a single logo to represent the entire state agency, instead of having separate logos for Salt Lake City and St. George. The staff members participated in a survey that identified key themes, such as community, connection, equity, and services. They also pinpointed meaningful representations, including diverse collaborations, simplicity, modernism, and uniqueness.

This collective effort led to distinctive shapes and colors for each department, such as yellow for Community Advocacy Services, light blue for Continuing Education & Outreach, green for Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations, and red for the Utah Interpreting Program. The merging of all this information led to the creation of our new logo, which symbolizes our shared commitment and unity.

Logo of the Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Appointed of the Interim Assistant Directors

On August 4, 2021, Eric Roux, a long-serving vocational rehabilitation counselor and director, took charge of the Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing after Arlene Garcia Gunderson's resignation. He served in this role until June 8, 2022. Following this, on June 9, 2022, Sarah Brenna, the Director of Utah Services for Rehabilitation, assumed oversight of the DSDHH. She was supported by four managers—Pamela Mower, Melanie Sperry, Annette Stewart, and Jes Nelson-Julander—until an assistant director was appointed.

Eric Roux

Sarah Brenna

David Lance Pickett, a Deaf individual and former Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Sorenson Media, Inc., began his role as program director on July 23, 2024. With his extensive administrative experience, he is well-equipped to bring his innovative ideas and skills to the center.

David Lance Pickett

Conclusion: Wrapping up with Gratitude

As the author of this website, I would like to highlight the unique features and importance of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This center is a valuable resource in our community, offering various services and activities that cater to our needs.

For forty years, from 1962 to 1992, dedicated members and officers of the Utah Association for the Deaf worked diligently to establish this community center. Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, W. David Mortensen, and the Utah Deaf community played crucial roles in the political process to ensure that the center meets our communication and accessibility needs. Together with the Utah Association for the Deaf, they launched a successful campaign to secure the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center through the Office of Education and the Utah legislature. Their unwavering commitment has transformed our lives and significantly enhanced our quality of life through the activities, services, and training they have provided.

Despite facing numerous challenges, such as the mix-up bill in 1977 and losing priority to a dairy barn in 1981, the association's unwavering dedication and perseverance stood out. Their commitment, even in the face of adversity, ultimately led to the successful establishment of the community center. I hope this historical document helps you appreciate the selfless acts of leadership that have benefited us all. W. David Mortensen, a key figure in the establishment of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, has made significant personal sacrifices and contributions. His unwavering dedication, marked by these sacrifices and outstanding accomplishments, deserves our highest respect and recognition. For more information about his involvement, please visit W. David Mortensen's Honoring Ceremony webpage on our site.

Finally, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the collaborative efforts of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, Robert Sanderson, and Dave Mortensen in establishing the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. Their teamwork, particularly Beth's role in legislative interpreting, was vital to this initiative. Their dedication to this cause is truly commendable, and their contributions have significantly enriched our community. We are deeply grateful for their efforts.

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS

I have digitized and uploaded the following historical materials about the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to this webpage. Enjoy exploring the rich history of this center!

Marilyn Tiller Call created a chronological highlights document of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 2012. Thank you, Marilyn, for your contribution!

Robert G. Sanderson (left) and W. David Mortensen (right). June 18, 1995

ARCHIVES

Robert G. Sanderson talking to W. David Mortensen. June 18, 1995

Notes

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, personal communication, September 18, 2012.

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, September 20, 2012.

Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, personal communication, December 7, 2023.

Dan V. Mathis, personal communication, April 20, 2022.

Darlene Stewart Cochran, interview with her brother, Gene Stewart, April 4, 2012.

Kenneth L. Kinner, personal communication, 2008.

Marilyn Tiller Call, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, October 15, 2009.

Marilyn Tiller Call, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, January 25, 2012.

Marilyn Tiller Call, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, March 21, 2012.

Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 15, 2023.

Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 16, 2023.

Norman Williams, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, April 12, 2012.

Norman Williams, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, May 8, 2012.

W. David Mortensen, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, April 3, 2012.

References

"Bangerter’s Recommendations." UAD Bulletin, vol. 12, no. 22 (February 1990): 3.

Bitter, Grant. “Concerns with Deaf Center.” Grant B. Bitter Papers, Accn #1072. Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. January 1, 1985.

“Board Adopts Policy on Deaf.” Salt Lake Tribune, June 16, 1976.

Cinelli, Pattie. "Sanderson Researches social factors in VR Programs for Deaf Persons." On the Green, vol. 12, no. 12 ( January 11, 1982): 1-2.

“Calling All Deaf Citizens!” The UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 10 (March 1981): 3.

Call, Marilyn. "Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Gets New Name." UAD Bulletin, Vol. 27.4 (September 2003): 1 & 4.

Call, Marilyn. “Chronological Highlights of Utah’s Sanderson Center.” Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Newsletter (January 2010): 1-2.

Call, Marilyn. Legislative Session 2016. DSDHH Newsletter, April 2016.

Campbell, Jay. "Beth Ann Resigns As Director of UCCD." UAD Bulletin, v. 15, no. 10. (March 1992): 1.

“Celebration at New UCCD Grounding-Breaking.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 2: (July 1991): 2.

Campbell, Joey. “Deaf vent frustrations and criticize new division.” Deseret News, B12, April 1, 1988.

“Center for the Deaf Director Appointed.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 6, no. 2 (July 1982): 2.

“Center for the Deaf Needs Your Help!” The UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 8 (January 1980): 2.

“Council Releases Report.” The UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 1 (Fall 1963): 1 – 7.

“Council Moves to Implement Study Recommendations.” The UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 2 (Winter 1964): 5.

Curtis, Leon. (1965, Spring). “The President’s Corner.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 6 (Spring 1965): 2.

“Deaf Center Report In.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 10, no. 4 (December 1975): 1.

“Deaf to Dedicate ‘Home of Their Own.’” The Salt Lake Tribune, 16B, May 29, 1983.

“Dr. Robert Sanderson Appointed to Dr. Powrie V. Doctor Chair.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 2 (July 1981): 3.

“Dr. Sanderson Announces Retirement.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 8, no. 9 (February 1985): 1 – 2.

“Editorial.” The Spotlight, vol. 2, no.1 (June 1978): 1.

“Editor’s Note.”  The Spotlight, vol. 2, no.1 (June 1978): 1 – 2.

“FLASH!” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 5 (October 1980): 1.

“Friday, September 8, 1989 – UTAH STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION GIVES THE NEW UCCD #1 FACILITY PRIORITY!” UAD Bulletin, vol. 12, no. 18 (September 1989): 4.

“Get Out and Meet Your Legislators.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 4 (September 1980): 2.

“Good Years.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 6 (Spring-Summer 1967): 2.

“Groundbreaking at UCCD.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 25. 1 (June 2001): 1.

Kinney, Valerie. “Sculpture Unveiled at Celebration.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 36-06, (November 2012): 1.

“Legislature Okehs Funds for Services for the Adult Deaf.” The UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 6 (Spring 1965): 1 & 3.

Petersen, Eugene W. "Community Services For Salt Lake Area Deaf Near Realization." The Silent Worker, vol. 16, no. 4 (December 1963): 3-4.

Persinger, Stephen. Legislative Session – HB 325. UAD Bulletin, April 2016.

“Prestigious Awards Given During UAD Conference.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 31.5 (October 2007): 1 & 5.

“Progress on Center for the Deaf.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 9 (February 1982): 1.

“Program for Better Services to the Adult Deaf Becomes Reality.” The UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 2 (Winter 1965): 1 & 3.

Mortensen, Dave. “Won’t Listen.” Ogden Standard-Examiner, June 16, 1976.

Mortensen, Dave. “President’s Message.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 11, no. 11 (April 1988): 2.

Mortensen, Dave. “President’s Message.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 11, no. 12 (May 1988): 2.

Mortensen, Dave. “President’s Message.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 12, no. 5, September 1988, 2.

Mortensen, Dave. “Director of the Utah DSHID: Update or DÉJÀ VU.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 12, no. 6 (October 1988): 6-7.

Mortensen, Leon G. “UAD President’s Message.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 3 (August 1991): 3.

Nelson, Ron. “Historic Moment.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 27.4 (September 2003): 5.

“No Welfare State for the Deaf.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, No. 6 (Spring 1965): 4.

“Rehabilitation Aide Begins Work in Deaf Section.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 6, no. 4 (Fall-Winter, 1970-71): 1.

“Resignation Takes Deaf community by Surprise.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 9 (February 1982): 1.

“Straight Answers to Pointed Questions.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 6, Spring-Summer, 1967, 2, 7 & 8.

Nelson, Ron. “Letter to the Editor: An Open Forum.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 12, no. 18 (October 1989): 2-3.

Sanderson, Robert G. “THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 2 (July 1991): 7.

Sanderson, Robert G. A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. 2004.

“Sanderson Center Celebration.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 27.4 (September 2003): 5.

“Services for Adult Deaf Urged.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 1 (Fall 1963): 1-6.

“Services for Adult Deaf Prove Worth As First Anniversary Nears.” The UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 4 (Fall 1966): 1.

“So Long, Folks! – Dr. Robert G. (Sandie) Sanderson.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 8, no. 10 (March 1985: 1 – 2.

Stewart, Gene. “The UCCD Building Dedication.” DSDHH Newsletter, June 1993.

Steward, Gene. “Robert G. Sanderson – “Sandie.” DSDHH Newsletter (April 2012): 2-3.

“Support for Center for the Deaf Grows.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 3 (August 1980): 1

“Thank You!! 1990 Utah Legislatures! APPROVED! INTERPRETER FUNDS APPROVED! NEW DEAF CENTER.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 12, no. 24 (March 1990): 2.

“Tentative Drawings Submitted for Center for the Deaf.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 12 (May 1980): 2.

“UAD Joins CSC Family.” The UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 3 (Spring 1964): 1 & 5.

“Update on Center for the Deaf.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 4 (September 1979): 2.

“Update on Center for the Deaf.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 10 (March 1982): 2.

“Update on Center for the Deaf.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 7, no. 1 (June 1983): 2.

Urbani, Diane. “Center for Deaf Renamed After First Director.” Deseret News, October 4, 2003.

“Utah Board of Education Moves on Center for the Deaf Project.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 11 (April 1982): 5.

“Vote No to Initiatives A & B!” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 6 (November 1980): 2.

Zukharias, Steve. “Steve Zakharias’s Poem.” DSDHH Newsletter, (June 1993): 2.

“What Has the UAD Done to the Deaf community?” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 7 (December 1980): 2.

​History of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the​Deaf & Hard of Hearing

History of the Robert G. Sanderson
Community Center of the
Deaf & Hard of Hearing