Robert G. Sanderson Community
Center of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Center of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Compiled & Written by Jodi B. Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2012
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2012
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson.
1946 - Dr. Robert G. Sanderson wrote of his memory in his “A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing” book that the idea of having a meeting place for the deaf first surfaced at the Utah Association of the Deaf convention in 1946 (Sanderson, 2004). For years, the Utah Deaf community gathered for socials, parties, athletic events, and such. While gathering, they always asked, "Why do we have to go begging for time and space?" They had to take whatever time was available, not necessarily the time, date and place they wanted. They rented a hotel ballroom, an auditorium from a local utility, the gymnasium at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and Murray A. Allen Center for the Blind (Sanderson, 2004).
1960s - While all things going on at the national level regarding Vocational Rehabilitation Administration and Office of Captioned Films for the deaf, deaf Utahns organized a lobbying effort to get rehabilitation services for deaf Utahns. Several Deaf Utahns, encouraged by national developments and obvious local needs, became activists. Among the activists at that time were officers of the Utah Association of the Deaf, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Eugene W. Petersen, and G. Leon Curtis (Sanderson, 2004).
1962 - The proposal for the Services to the Deaf Adults came from Utah Association of the Deaf officers and its members. In 1962, tentative efforts were begun by the three officers, Dr. Sanderson, Mr. Peterson and Mr. Curtis, to establish an office that would serve deaf people of the state on a full-time basis. They were concerned about inaccessibility of services to deaf adults. Their goal was for the State of Utah to provide more adequate social services for them. It was nearly impossible for deaf adults to access necessary and available services because of communication barriers (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965). Deaf leaders proposed that Services to the Adult Deaf for the State of Utah be formed under the direction of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and suggested that the personnel divide its time between vocational rehabilitation and straight social services designed to meet the needs of deaf adults (UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965). Dr. Sanderson, Mr. Petersen and Mr. Curtis came up with the idea of approaching the Salt Lake Area United Fund for assistance in establishing services for Deaf (Sanderson, 2004).
1963 - The United Fund people were highly interested in the problems described by the deaf leaders, so they referred the matter to its coordinating agency, the Community Services Council, for further study. The referral was adopted as a project by the Community Services Council in March, 1963. A committee of the Community Services Council was assigned to study all the community agencies to see whether any of them could provide the needed services (UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963). After the study, it became clear that effective services for deaf people could best be established within the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965).
1965 - The Community Services Council Committee focused on working with the Utah legislature to secure funding for the services to be provided under Office of Rehabilitation Services. During the 1965 Utah State Legislature session, several UAD officers and some members sacrificed several days’ pay to go with UAD President, G. Leon Curtis, to the Capitol for talks with Governor Calvin L. Rampton, to secure his support for funding, and to lobby the 1965 legislature. However, the Legislative Budget Committee had excess funding requests, which affected the inability for the state to finance all requests. The committee had to make some cuts and the appropriation for services for the deaf was eliminated (UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965). UAD did not give up. They did intensive campaigning to persuade the legislature that these funds should be reinstated anf successfully secured funding. It was a long, hard pull that led to the United Fund, the Community Services Council and finally to the State Legislature.
When funds became available on July 30, 1965, the Utah Merit System Council announced the opening of a new position: Coordinator, Services to the Adult Deaf, in the Department of Public Instruction. On November 15, 1965, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson was appointed as the first state coordinator of services to deaf people in the United States. While working in this position, he led advocacy efforts to establish a community center that the deaf could call their own, and developed a specialized rehabilitation unit for the deaf and hard of hearing.
1960s - While all things going on at the national level regarding Vocational Rehabilitation Administration and Office of Captioned Films for the deaf, deaf Utahns organized a lobbying effort to get rehabilitation services for deaf Utahns. Several Deaf Utahns, encouraged by national developments and obvious local needs, became activists. Among the activists at that time were officers of the Utah Association of the Deaf, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Eugene W. Petersen, and G. Leon Curtis (Sanderson, 2004).
1962 - The proposal for the Services to the Deaf Adults came from Utah Association of the Deaf officers and its members. In 1962, tentative efforts were begun by the three officers, Dr. Sanderson, Mr. Peterson and Mr. Curtis, to establish an office that would serve deaf people of the state on a full-time basis. They were concerned about inaccessibility of services to deaf adults. Their goal was for the State of Utah to provide more adequate social services for them. It was nearly impossible for deaf adults to access necessary and available services because of communication barriers (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965). Deaf leaders proposed that Services to the Adult Deaf for the State of Utah be formed under the direction of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and suggested that the personnel divide its time between vocational rehabilitation and straight social services designed to meet the needs of deaf adults (UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965). Dr. Sanderson, Mr. Petersen and Mr. Curtis came up with the idea of approaching the Salt Lake Area United Fund for assistance in establishing services for Deaf (Sanderson, 2004).
1963 - The United Fund people were highly interested in the problems described by the deaf leaders, so they referred the matter to its coordinating agency, the Community Services Council, for further study. The referral was adopted as a project by the Community Services Council in March, 1963. A committee of the Community Services Council was assigned to study all the community agencies to see whether any of them could provide the needed services (UAD Bulletin, Fall 1963). After the study, it became clear that effective services for deaf people could best be established within the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965).
1965 - The Community Services Council Committee focused on working with the Utah legislature to secure funding for the services to be provided under Office of Rehabilitation Services. During the 1965 Utah State Legislature session, several UAD officers and some members sacrificed several days’ pay to go with UAD President, G. Leon Curtis, to the Capitol for talks with Governor Calvin L. Rampton, to secure his support for funding, and to lobby the 1965 legislature. However, the Legislative Budget Committee had excess funding requests, which affected the inability for the state to finance all requests. The committee had to make some cuts and the appropriation for services for the deaf was eliminated (UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965). UAD did not give up. They did intensive campaigning to persuade the legislature that these funds should be reinstated anf successfully secured funding. It was a long, hard pull that led to the United Fund, the Community Services Council and finally to the State Legislature.
When funds became available on July 30, 1965, the Utah Merit System Council announced the opening of a new position: Coordinator, Services to the Adult Deaf, in the Department of Public Instruction. On November 15, 1965, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson was appointed as the first state coordinator of services to deaf people in the United States. While working in this position, he led advocacy efforts to establish a community center that the deaf could call their own, and developed a specialized rehabilitation unit for the deaf and hard of hearing.
1975 - While working for the Office of Rehabilitation Services, Dr. Sanderson still had a vision of a community center for the deaf and spearheaded the drive for it. For several years, he persisted in engaging in-depth discussions with deaf and hearing community leaders on what a community center of the deaf should be and what services it should encompass. Dr. Sanderson’s hard work finally paid off in June 1975 when the first actual spark that set in motion plans for a community center came about, similar to the Murray B. Allen Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Sanderson, 2004).
A committee was established to study the feasibility and desirability of providing a community center for the deaf in the State of Utah. Dr. Sanderson was appointed as chairman. Five deaf members, David Mortensen, Lloyd Perkins, Dora Laramie, and Ned C. Wheeler joined the committee (UAD Bulletin, December 1975; Sanderson, 2004). A forty-seven-page feasibility report of the study with recommendations was completed on December 1, 1975. Governor Calvin L. Rampton along with local organizations wrote a letter to Dr. Sanderson in support of this concept of a community center of the deaf (Sanderson, 2004).
1977 - Through the 1977 legislative process, a bill finally made through the various legislative committees. At the close of the official legislature at twelve midnight in February of 1977, Governor Rampton was about to sign the bill, but he noticed that the word, “deaf” was replaced with “blind” by mistake! Since it was past midnight closing of the legislature, he could not fix it (Sanderson, 2004). In order to get funding for the new community center for the deaf, the deaf leaders had to go back to square one (Sanderson, 2004).
A committee was established to study the feasibility and desirability of providing a community center for the deaf in the State of Utah. Dr. Sanderson was appointed as chairman. Five deaf members, David Mortensen, Lloyd Perkins, Dora Laramie, and Ned C. Wheeler joined the committee (UAD Bulletin, December 1975; Sanderson, 2004). A forty-seven-page feasibility report of the study with recommendations was completed on December 1, 1975. Governor Calvin L. Rampton along with local organizations wrote a letter to Dr. Sanderson in support of this concept of a community center of the deaf (Sanderson, 2004).
1977 - Through the 1977 legislative process, a bill finally made through the various legislative committees. At the close of the official legislature at twelve midnight in February of 1977, Governor Rampton was about to sign the bill, but he noticed that the word, “deaf” was replaced with “blind” by mistake! Since it was past midnight closing of the legislature, he could not fix it (Sanderson, 2004). In order to get funding for the new community center for the deaf, the deaf leaders had to go back to square one (Sanderson, 2004).
W. David Mortensen
1978 - In June 1978, the Utah State Board of Education developed a budget for the next legislature to be used for the purpose of a comprehensive community center for the deaf. It was a goal that the services of the future center could serve all deaf people of the community, including oral deaf and hard of hearing people (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978). Dave Mortensen, UAD president gave a powerful message to the Joint House Senate Committee that that there was now a need for a center for the deaf and a commission to serve all deaf people, not just rehabilitation consumers (The Silent Spotlight, June 1978; Sanderson, 2004).
1980 - In September 1979, the Utah State Board of Education reserved $2.5 million out of $15.1 million budget for building construction and remodeling for the center for the deaf. While the center was listed #1 on the building priority list, the board was in the process of preparing to present the request to the State Building Board and the 1980 Legislature (The UAD Bulletin, September 1979). However, during the legislative process in January 1980, the community center for the deaf was pushed down from its 6th place on the building appropriations list to 11th place by Governor Scott Matheson. While work was still in the process of moving the center for the deaf to top priority, Mr. Mortensen pushed for support from the Deaf community and campaigned the legislators to make it to top priority.
1981 - However, in April 1981, the proposed community center for the deaf was not funded. Despite the effort of UAD encouraging the Deaf community to contact their local legislators in March 1981, not everyone did. With very little effort from the Deaf community, the Republican-dominated legislature put the need of a dairy barn at Utah State University ahead of the needs of the deaf citizens. The dairy barn bumped the community center down below the funding cut off line (UAD Bulletin, March 1981; UAD Bulletin, April 1981; Sanderson, 2004).
UAD President Mortensen and Valerie Kinney, UAD secretary met with Governor Matheson, aide, Tony Mitchell and William Boren of the Division of Rehabilitation, to meet with Mr. Mortensen along with Valerie (Kinney) Platt, UAD secretary and Alden Broomhead, an UAD board member. Their concerns were shared of several failures of the legislature to pass funding for a community center for the deaf and the "cows before deaf people rejection." Mr. Mitchell, after talking about the failure of obtaining funds for a center for the deaf, told Mr. Boren to find $500,000 from the Division of Rehabilitation budget and begin a search for a location (Sanderson, 2004).
1980 - In September 1979, the Utah State Board of Education reserved $2.5 million out of $15.1 million budget for building construction and remodeling for the center for the deaf. While the center was listed #1 on the building priority list, the board was in the process of preparing to present the request to the State Building Board and the 1980 Legislature (The UAD Bulletin, September 1979). However, during the legislative process in January 1980, the community center for the deaf was pushed down from its 6th place on the building appropriations list to 11th place by Governor Scott Matheson. While work was still in the process of moving the center for the deaf to top priority, Mr. Mortensen pushed for support from the Deaf community and campaigned the legislators to make it to top priority.
1981 - However, in April 1981, the proposed community center for the deaf was not funded. Despite the effort of UAD encouraging the Deaf community to contact their local legislators in March 1981, not everyone did. With very little effort from the Deaf community, the Republican-dominated legislature put the need of a dairy barn at Utah State University ahead of the needs of the deaf citizens. The dairy barn bumped the community center down below the funding cut off line (UAD Bulletin, March 1981; UAD Bulletin, April 1981; Sanderson, 2004).
UAD President Mortensen and Valerie Kinney, UAD secretary met with Governor Matheson, aide, Tony Mitchell and William Boren of the Division of Rehabilitation, to meet with Mr. Mortensen along with Valerie (Kinney) Platt, UAD secretary and Alden Broomhead, an UAD board member. Their concerns were shared of several failures of the legislature to pass funding for a community center for the deaf and the "cows before deaf people rejection." Mr. Mitchell, after talking about the failure of obtaining funds for a center for the deaf, told Mr. Boren to find $500,000 from the Division of Rehabilitation budget and begin a search for a location (Sanderson, 2004).
Utah Community Center for the Deaf, Bountiful, Utah, 1983. By Robert Winkelkotter.
1982 - During the last days of the 1982 Utah Legislature, a bill outlining the funded projects under the State Building Board was passed, containing a line item for a center for the deaf in the amount of $200,000. This was cause for rejoicing, since Utah Association for the Deaf had worked for the last several years to obtain funding for the center (UAD Bulletin, March 1982).
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 Deaf community, met with Dr. Sanderson and told him about a large church in Bountiful that had been standing vacant for a while. They felt that because it had a gym and many meeting rooms, it would be much more suited to the needs of the Deaf community. It required very little fixing up to be ready for immediate occupancy (Sanderson, 2004). Dr. Sanderson’s request to change the location of the center from Midvale to Bountiful was approved by the board (Sanderson, 2004).
1983 - After a long wait and much patience since the 1975 Feasibility Study for a Community Center for the Deaf, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf (UCCD) was officially opened at the Bountiful 33rd LDS Ward Chapel at 388 North 400 South in January 1983 (Sanderson, 2004). On June 9, 1983, members of the Deaf community had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the renovated UCCD a ‘home of their own’ after culminating years of frequently frustrating efforts to make their needs known to the legislature. The Utah Community Center for the Deaf however soon faced numerous obstacles with safety, maintenance, population demographics issues.
1985 - In 1985, a flurry of letters and memos to the Director of the Division of Facilities Construction & Management from Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire of the Office of Rehabilitation Services, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Bernarr S. Furse, began. They suggested that planning funds be directed more to a new community center for the deaf instead of the Bountiful center and its long-term needs for meeting code violations and repairs. They clearly understood that money would not be used effectively by pouring it into the old facility when consumer usage was declining because of its location (Sanderson, 2004).
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 Deaf community, met with Dr. Sanderson and told him about a large church in Bountiful that had been standing vacant for a while. They felt that because it had a gym and many meeting rooms, it would be much more suited to the needs of the Deaf community. It required very little fixing up to be ready for immediate occupancy (Sanderson, 2004). Dr. Sanderson’s request to change the location of the center from Midvale to Bountiful was approved by the board (Sanderson, 2004).
1983 - After a long wait and much patience since the 1975 Feasibility Study for a Community Center for the Deaf, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf (UCCD) was officially opened at the Bountiful 33rd LDS Ward Chapel at 388 North 400 South in January 1983 (Sanderson, 2004). On June 9, 1983, members of the Deaf community had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the renovated UCCD a ‘home of their own’ after culminating years of frequently frustrating efforts to make their needs known to the legislature. The Utah Community Center for the Deaf however soon faced numerous obstacles with safety, maintenance, population demographics issues.
1985 - In 1985, a flurry of letters and memos to the Director of the Division of Facilities Construction & Management from Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire of the Office of Rehabilitation Services, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Bernarr S. Furse, began. They suggested that planning funds be directed more to a new community center for the deaf instead of the Bountiful center and its long-term needs for meeting code violations and repairs. They clearly understood that money would not be used effectively by pouring it into the old facility when consumer usage was declining because of its location (Sanderson, 2004).
Dr. Grant B. Bitter. The Utahn, 1973.
1985 - While the UCCD still utilized and operated its facility for both rehabilitation services and recreation services, on January 2, 1985, Dr. Grant B. Bitter, an ardent oral advocate, frowned upon services they provided. He criticized how the UCCD offered recreation activities and how the UCCD counselors worked with the oral deaf population in the rehabilitation services, and its connection with the Utah Association for the Deaf. Dr. Bitter accused the Utah Association for the Deaf, rehabilitation counselors, namely Gene Stewart, Jim Hilber, Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, for not respecting those options for educational and social programs for the oral deaf population and that there was little demonstrated evidence that they cooperatively work with divergent points of view to preserve the integrity of alternative programs in the State of Utah (Bitter, 1985). The author wonders why did Dr. Bitter complain about the way UCCD provided services to the oral deaf population when they had a choice in selecting either a “total communication” or “oralist” counselor, as established in 1976 and again in 1978. Additionally, why couldn’t the deaf population have the same recreation opportunities as the hearing population with their local recreation center? Despite Dr. Bitter's objectives, the Utah Deaf community continued to work hard to get a better building to serve the deaf and hard of hearing citizens of Utah.
1987 - After the inspection of the Bountiful building, it was recommended in 1987 that a new/newer facility be purchased as soon as possible to serve the deaf and hard of hearing citizens of Utah. It was necessary to bring the center up to health, building, fire, safety and handicapped accessibility codes to make the current center a safe and usable state building. Because this building was old and inadequate, lobbying efforts to get a new community center built began (Sanderson, 2004).
1987 - After the inspection of the Bountiful building, it was recommended in 1987 that a new/newer facility be purchased as soon as possible to serve the deaf and hard of hearing citizens of Utah. It was necessary to bring the center up to health, building, fire, safety and handicapped accessibility codes to make the current center a safe and usable state building. Because this building was old and inadequate, lobbying efforts to get a new community center built began (Sanderson, 2004).
Utah Community Center of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, 2002.
1988 - The SB 218 bill, setting up a separate Division of Services to the Hearing Impaired, was passed by the 1988 legislature and signed into law by Governor Norman H. Bangerter on March 10 without the knowledge of deaf people. Dave Mortensen, UAD president, expressed his concern about the Utah Deaf community and its leaders not being informed about this bill and asked why they weren’t asked for input, for opinions (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, April 1988; Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, May 1988). To this particular piece of legislation the title, “Division of Services to the Hearing Impaired” was given. This title did not sit well with the Utah Deaf community. After the Utah Deaf community, particularly UAD President Mortensen speaking up, it was agreed to change to new Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) and this division was housed at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf.
1990 - During the 1990 legislative session, Governor Norman H. Bangerter recommended the legislature to support building funds for a new Deaf Center for Utah Community Center for the Deaf. The 1990 Utah Legislature approved the budget for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation/Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It was a victory! It did not take long to locate a suitable plot of and for the new community center (Sanderson, 2004).
1991 - A crowd of approximately 200 people was present at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new facility for the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Taylorsville, Utah on June 10, 1991 (UAD Bulletin, July 1991; Sanderson, 2004).
1992-1993 - During the first year of operation in the new facility in 1992-1993, the center had already become crowded and many public areas were booked. Since then, this problem continued to increase. Scheduling of classrooms was also difficult. Because of heavy usage, many community organizations had to schedule classes and activities months in advance. Many public group requests were denied. Due to the steady increase of visitors in addition to the staff expansion, parking had become an issue (Sanderson, 2004).
1990 - During the 1990 legislative session, Governor Norman H. Bangerter recommended the legislature to support building funds for a new Deaf Center for Utah Community Center for the Deaf. The 1990 Utah Legislature approved the budget for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation/Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It was a victory! It did not take long to locate a suitable plot of and for the new community center (Sanderson, 2004).
1991 - A crowd of approximately 200 people was present at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new facility for the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Taylorsville, Utah on June 10, 1991 (UAD Bulletin, July 1991; Sanderson, 2004).
1992-1993 - During the first year of operation in the new facility in 1992-1993, the center had already become crowded and many public areas were booked. Since then, this problem continued to increase. Scheduling of classrooms was also difficult. Because of heavy usage, many community organizations had to schedule classes and activities months in advance. Many public group requests were denied. Due to the steady increase of visitors in addition to the staff expansion, parking had become an issue (Sanderson, 2004).
A blueprint of the Sanderson Community Center with a new wing, 2001
2001 - With director, Rusty Wales (deaf)’s effort, the new wing became a reality. On May 4, 2001, a groundbreaking ceremony for the new addition to the Utah Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing took place. The center staff members, Deaf and hearing communities, officials and legislators were present to celebrate the occasion (UAD Bulletin June 2001; Sanderson, 2004).
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center, 2003
2003 - While Marilyn Call (hard of hearing) was the director of the Utah Community Center of the Deaf, she felt the history would not be complete without telling how the Utah Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing became the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She always thought the center should carry the name of a deaf individual because the center would not have been possible without Deaf people’s persistent advocacy (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003; Sanderson, 2004).
At the Utah State Board of Education meeting, Marilyn Call shared the excellent reasons why Dr. Sanderson was chosen to represent Utah’s Deaf leaders (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003). The State Board unanimously supported renaming the community center (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003). On October 4, 2003, a huge renaming celebration was held in honor of Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a leader in the Deaf community of Utah.
Lastly - It took the UAD officers and members of the Utah Deaf community 40 years to make our community center a permanent reality. For years, the deaf leaders, especially Dr. Sanderson and Dave Mortensen got active and remained active throughout the political process without giving up so that we have a luxurious community center to meet our communication and accessibility needs. In addition, they were persistent in keeping the ball rolling despite bumps in the road reflecting the vision of the community center. Now that they have conquered hurdles to realize the Sanderson Community Center for the benefit of the Utah Deaf community. I hope this historical document helps you remember and appreciate what the self-sacrificed leaders had done for us that we now take for granted.
At the Utah State Board of Education meeting, Marilyn Call shared the excellent reasons why Dr. Sanderson was chosen to represent Utah’s Deaf leaders (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003). The State Board unanimously supported renaming the community center (Call, UAD Bulletin, September 2003). On October 4, 2003, a huge renaming celebration was held in honor of Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a leader in the Deaf community of Utah.
Lastly - It took the UAD officers and members of the Utah Deaf community 40 years to make our community center a permanent reality. For years, the deaf leaders, especially Dr. Sanderson and Dave Mortensen got active and remained active throughout the political process without giving up so that we have a luxurious community center to meet our communication and accessibility needs. In addition, they were persistent in keeping the ball rolling despite bumps in the road reflecting the vision of the community center. Now that they have conquered hurdles to realize the Sanderson Community Center for the benefit of the Utah Deaf community. I hope this historical document helps you remember and appreciate what the self-sacrificed leaders had done for us that we now take for granted.
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson & Marilyn Call, 2003
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
Marilyn T. Call. Chronological Highlights of Utah’s Community Center. 2012.
Kinner, Jodi B. & Kinney, Valerie G. (2013). History of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (PDF)
Marilyn T. Call. Chronological Highlights of Utah’s Community Center. 2012.
Kinner, Jodi B. & Kinney, Valerie G. (2013). History of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (PDF)
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ARCHIVES
- Program for the Better Services to the Adult Deaf Brochure (1965)
- Support Letters for the Study the Feasibility of a Comphrensive Community Center for the Deaf (1975)
- Minutes of the Committee to Study the Feasibility of a Center for the Deaf (1975)
- Study the Feasibility of a Comprehensive Community Center for the Deaf Committee Report (1975)
- Report of the Study the Feasibility of a Comprehensive Community Center for the Deaf (December 1, 1975)
- Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Walter D. Talbot's Thank You Letters (1976)
- Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Brochure-Type Magazine (2000)
After the ground-breaking ceremony of the new facility for the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in 1991, Lyle G. Mortensen, president of the Utah Association for the Deaf wrote a message of gratitude thanking Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and David Mortensen, as noted below:
"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 also to the past UAD Board of Directors which served you so well" (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, August 1991).
"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 also to the past UAD Board of Directors which served you so well" (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, August 1991).