A Brief History the Utah Association of the Deaf
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney & Bronwyn O'Hara
Published in 2014
Updated in 2021
Updated in 2023
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney & Bronwyn O'Hara
Published in 2014
Updated in 2021
Updated in 2023
Note
Jodi Becker Kinner, the website's author, has had the pleasure of working on the Utah Association of the Deaf's history. UAD is one of the country's oldest state organizations. Since its inception in 1909, the UAD has campaigned for civil rights in various areas, including auto insurance, traffic safety, telecommunications, interpreters, education, early intervention, employment, rehabilitation, and more. Furthermore, the UAD was instrumental in the establishment of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, the expansion of interpreting services, and the establishment of Deaf Education at Utah State University with an emphasis on ASL/English Bilingual (then Total Communication). Because this document does not cover all of these historical details, I recommend reading "Deaf Education History in Utah," "History of the Sanderson Community Center," and "History of Utah Interpreting Services," as well as other documents, to get a complete picture of what UAD has done for the local Deaf community.
In addition, UAD has advocated for the local Deaf community's rights and protections. After learning about the UAD's history and its tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for Deaf people in Utah as equal citizens, she has grown to respect and admire them. It is an honor to be a member of the UAD and to pay tribute to those who led the organization.
In efforts to support the UAD and make a difference, it has been suggested that the Utah Deaf community:
The UAD has done so much for the local Deaf community that it is now taken for granted. Many Deaf people are now registered to vote, discuss non-deaf political matters, stay informed about political issues, and support a political party. However, many people do not participate in or support political issues or causes that are important to the Deaf community. This is referred to as having a "double standard." This history aims to raise recognition of the UAD's contributions to the Utah Deaf community. Furthermore, this history aims to raise awareness of deaf-related political concerns and how the Utah Deaf community may help and support future causes.
Jodi encourages the Utah Deaf community to join the Utah Association of the Deaf and the National Association of the Deaf to safeguard their civil rights. After all, UAD is credited with carrying the torch by serving the Utah Deaf community's needs. Today, UAD continues to carry the torch by advocating for, preserving, and securing our community's civil rights. The Utah Deaf community, especially the younger generation, is unaware of how much UAD has aided them. She hopes that now that we have access to resources, the "Carry the Torch" symbol will help us remember, appreciate, and reflect on our UAD's long history of civil rights protections.
Salutations to the UAD leaders!
Jodi Becker Kinner
In addition, UAD has advocated for the local Deaf community's rights and protections. After learning about the UAD's history and its tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for Deaf people in Utah as equal citizens, she has grown to respect and admire them. It is an honor to be a member of the UAD and to pay tribute to those who led the organization.
In efforts to support the UAD and make a difference, it has been suggested that the Utah Deaf community:
- Become a member of the UAD;
- Vote for new UAD board members every two years at the UAD conference and/or
- Join the UAD board of members.
The UAD has done so much for the local Deaf community that it is now taken for granted. Many Deaf people are now registered to vote, discuss non-deaf political matters, stay informed about political issues, and support a political party. However, many people do not participate in or support political issues or causes that are important to the Deaf community. This is referred to as having a "double standard." This history aims to raise recognition of the UAD's contributions to the Utah Deaf community. Furthermore, this history aims to raise awareness of deaf-related political concerns and how the Utah Deaf community may help and support future causes.
Jodi encourages the Utah Deaf community to join the Utah Association of the Deaf and the National Association of the Deaf to safeguard their civil rights. After all, UAD is credited with carrying the torch by serving the Utah Deaf community's needs. Today, UAD continues to carry the torch by advocating for, preserving, and securing our community's civil rights. The Utah Deaf community, especially the younger generation, is unaware of how much UAD has aided them. She hopes that now that we have access to resources, the "Carry the Torch" symbol will help us remember, appreciate, and reflect on our UAD's long history of civil rights protections.
Salutations to the UAD leaders!
Jodi Becker Kinner
"To make democracy work, we must be a notion of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain'” - Louis L'Amour
The Establishment of the National Association of the Deaf
Since the founding of the first deaf school in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817, known as the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb (later renamed American School for the Deaf), other state deaf associations have established (Gannon, 1981).
The National Association of the Deaf was founded in August 1880, when deaf representatives from throughout the country assembled in Cincinnati, Ohio for its First National Convention (Gannon, 1981; Van Cleve & Crouch, 1989). For a little over 60 years, the Cincinnati attendees had been students in an American Deaf school system. These Deaf guests occupied a variety of professions at the convention, including teachers, school founders, principals, businessmen, and leaders. They were determined to improve the quality of life for Deaf people by opposing laws that would restrict their rights, deciding to discourage imposters and Deaf peddlers, raising public awareness of deafness, pushing for better vocational training in schools, providing better educational methods, and finally, fighting employment discrimination (Gannon, 1981).
One of the conference attendees was Henry C. White, a principal and teacher of the Utah School for the Deaf (Gannon, 1981).
The National Association of the Deaf was founded in August 1880, when deaf representatives from throughout the country assembled in Cincinnati, Ohio for its First National Convention (Gannon, 1981; Van Cleve & Crouch, 1989). For a little over 60 years, the Cincinnati attendees had been students in an American Deaf school system. These Deaf guests occupied a variety of professions at the convention, including teachers, school founders, principals, businessmen, and leaders. They were determined to improve the quality of life for Deaf people by opposing laws that would restrict their rights, deciding to discourage imposters and Deaf peddlers, raising public awareness of deafness, pushing for better vocational training in schools, providing better educational methods, and finally, fighting employment discrimination (Gannon, 1981).
One of the conference attendees was Henry C. White, a principal and teacher of the Utah School for the Deaf (Gannon, 1981).
Henry C. White (Center) at the First National Convention @ Gannon, 1981
A Brief History of the Utah Association of the Deaf
The Utah Association of the Deaf (UAD) was founded by Frank M. Driggs, Elsie Christiansen, Melville Matheis, Elizabeth DeLong, and Paul Mark. The Utah School for the Deaf (USD) graduates in Ogden got down to business in June 1909, elected officers (UAD Bulletin, October 1999).
Elizabeth DeLong. The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963
Since the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was founded in 1880, state chapter associations had sprung up all over the country. Elizabeth DeLong, known as "Libbie", proposed the Utah Association of the Deaf (UAD) to meet the social and welfare needs of USD alumni, which was approved by USDB Superintendent Frank M. Driggs. The UAD was founded on June 10, 1909, at the Utah School for the Deaf (Evans, 1999). During the voting process on the next day, Libbie won the presidential election by 39 votes by beating two Deaf male candidates, Paul Mark (2 votes) and Melville J. Matheis (2 votes). She made history by becoming the first Deaf female NAD state chapter association president in the entire nation. This is notable, as women were not granted the right to vote for decades until the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920, and Deaf women members were not allowed to vote in the NAD election until 1964 (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963; NAD History). Libbie served as president of the Utah Association of the Deaf from 1909 to 1915.
The 1909 Utah Association of the Deaf Officers @ J. Willard Marriott Library
Since 1909, the UAD convention has been held either triennially or biennially. The Main Building at Utah School for the Deaf housed UAD conventions from 1909 until 1934. For the first time since 1909, the convention was hosted off campus in Salt Lake City in 1936, and it did not return to USD until 1995. Every convention and conference had an election for officers (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963, p. 6; UAD Bulletin, October 1999, p. 1 & 3).
Frank M. Driggs. The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963
The UAD conferences have been held in the Salt Lake area with the exception of 1944, 1965, and 1995 in Ogden and 1987 and 1999 in Provo. During the war years of 1918 and 1942, there were no conventions (UAD Bulletin, October 1999, p. 1 & 3). Visit this website to learn more about UAD's history.
Historical Perspective of Changes With The Utah Association of the Deaf
The Utah Association of the Deaf, a non-profit organization, is one of the oldest organizations that has been advocating on behalf of Deaf people in Utah for many years. It dates back to 1909. (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, September 1996, p. 1-3).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, USD class of 1936, described the history of the Utah Association for the Deaf as "intricately interwoven" with the history of the Utah School for the Deaf. Both the organization and the school shared a number of values and characteristics. All of the UAD presidents and the majority of its members had come from the USD by 1963. (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963, p. 6). According to the Summer 1963 issue of the UAD Bulletin, “To the USD, the association looks for future leaders to guide the destiny of the UAD in years to come, watch after the interests of the deaf and assure that they will continue to find an active, satisfying place in the community” (6).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, USD class of 1936, described the history of the Utah Association for the Deaf as "intricately interwoven" with the history of the Utah School for the Deaf. Both the organization and the school shared a number of values and characteristics. All of the UAD presidents and the majority of its members had come from the USD by 1963. (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963, p. 6). According to the Summer 1963 issue of the UAD Bulletin, “To the USD, the association looks for future leaders to guide the destiny of the UAD in years to come, watch after the interests of the deaf and assure that they will continue to find an active, satisfying place in the community” (6).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson @ Gallaudet University Archives
The first nine conventions were described as "reunions," took place on the USD campus. Members of the UAD were leisurely affairs that lasted three or four days and focused on entertainment (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963, p. 6).
For the first time since 1909, the conference was held off campus in 1936 in Salt Lake City. Utah. The UAD conventions and conferences, which are detailed later in this article, were held after that. At every convention and conference, officers were elected (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963, p. 6).
Under the statutes of the state of Utah, the UAD was formed in 1956 and given its own legal identity (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, June 1956, p. 1).
The UAD was a unified organization that Deaf people could rely on to defend and advocate for their rights for decades. Its early efforts focused on ensuring Deaf people's civil rights, such as the right to drive in Utah and the ability to get auto insurance (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, September 1996, p. 1-3).
Over time, the UAD's scope grew to include auto insurance, traffic safety, anti-peddlers, education, early intervention, employment, rehabilitation, interpreting service, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and many more areas of activism.
For the first time since 1909, the conference was held off campus in 1936 in Salt Lake City. Utah. The UAD conventions and conferences, which are detailed later in this article, were held after that. At every convention and conference, officers were elected (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963, p. 6).
Under the statutes of the state of Utah, the UAD was formed in 1956 and given its own legal identity (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, June 1956, p. 1).
The UAD was a unified organization that Deaf people could rely on to defend and advocate for their rights for decades. Its early efforts focused on ensuring Deaf people's civil rights, such as the right to drive in Utah and the ability to get auto insurance (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, September 1996, p. 1-3).
Over time, the UAD's scope grew to include auto insurance, traffic safety, anti-peddlers, education, early intervention, employment, rehabilitation, interpreting service, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and many more areas of activism.
The Utah Association of the Deaf Serves As a “Watchdog”
W. David Mortensen, often known as Dave Mortensen or DM, a long-serving UAD president, highlighted how the UAD has served as a "watchdog" for the state's Deaf and hard of hearing. For years, UAD has strived to achieve equality in all elements of a Deaf person's life, i.e., enabling Deaf and hard of hearing people to function and have an equal chance to truly thrive in this world as a hearing person (D. Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, February 1995, p. 1).
Dave asserted that the UAD believes in sticking up for Deaf and hard of hearing people's rights, and that they act as a "watchdog" to ensure that no one's rights are pushed aside or trampled into the cold, cold ground (D. Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, February 1995, p. 1).
Dave asserted that the UAD believes in sticking up for Deaf and hard of hearing people's rights, and that they act as a "watchdog" to ensure that no one's rights are pushed aside or trampled into the cold, cold ground (D. Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, February 1995, p. 1).
W. David Mortensen
Alongside, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a former president of the UAD and NAD, observed that the UAD served as a "watchdog," constantly monitoring the educational system and constantly demanding better education for Deaf children – not always successfully, to be sure, in what Deaf people believed was the best "system" or communication method to use in the classroom. Nonetheless, educational authorities were always aware of the UAD and its unwavering commitment to improving Deaf children's education (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, September 1996, p. 1-3).
The Utah Association of the Deaf Is Many Things
While everyone knows the "UAD" stands for the Utah Association of the Deaf, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, however, wanted to stress that the UAD is NOT one person, including the president, chairman of the board, non-members of the board, or all of the above. He added that UAD is made up of Deaf and hard of hearing members of the general membership who assemble every two years at conventions to pick board members, who in turn choose officers. The convention instructs the board to carry out specific plans or projects, keep others going, or change course. When the board's mandates are fulfilled, the board may initiate further initiatives or projects in the interest of and for the benefit of both its membership and Deaf people in general, using its board powers to run the association's business.
As stated previously, members of the UAD come from all walks of life, according to Dr. Sanderson. There was a lot of cross membership, which means that UAD members were also members of other organizations, and vice versa (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, September 1996, p. 1-3).
As stated previously, members of the UAD come from all walks of life, according to Dr. Sanderson. There was a lot of cross membership, which means that UAD members were also members of other organizations, and vice versa (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, September 1996, p. 1-3).
Elizabeth DeLong, First Female UAD President
From the time the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was founded in 1880, state chapter associations were formed across the country.
In 1909, Elizabeth Delong, known as "Libbie," a USD alumnus and Deaf faculty member, proposed the establishment of the Utah Association of the Deaf to meet the social and welfare needs of USD alumni. Superintendent Frank M. Driggs of the USDB approved it. The Utah Association of the Deaf was established on June 10, 1909, following the first alumni reunion (Evans, 1999).
Under the direction of Superintendent Driggs, the Utah Association of the Deaf (UAD) was formed on June 10, 1909 at the Utah School for the Deaf (Evans, 1999). The next day on June 11, Libbie defeated two Deaf male candidates, Paul Mark (2 votes) and Melville J. Matheis (2 votes), to win the presidential election by 39 votes (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963).
In 1909, Elizabeth Delong, known as "Libbie," a USD alumnus and Deaf faculty member, proposed the establishment of the Utah Association of the Deaf to meet the social and welfare needs of USD alumni. Superintendent Frank M. Driggs of the USDB approved it. The Utah Association of the Deaf was established on June 10, 1909, following the first alumni reunion (Evans, 1999).
Under the direction of Superintendent Driggs, the Utah Association of the Deaf (UAD) was formed on June 10, 1909 at the Utah School for the Deaf (Evans, 1999). The next day on June 11, Libbie defeated two Deaf male candidates, Paul Mark (2 votes) and Melville J. Matheis (2 votes), to win the presidential election by 39 votes (The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963).
Elizabeth DeLong @ FamilySearch
Libbie made history by becoming the first Deaf female president of the Utah Association of the Deaf and the first Deaf female NAD state chapter association president in the entire country – this is significant because women did not have the right to vote for a decade until the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920, and Deaf women members were not allowed to vote in the National Association of the Deaf election until 1965. From 1909 to 1915, Libbie was the president of the Utah Association of the Deaf.
Libbie presented a talk advocating women's suffrage at the UAD Convention in 1915, after serving a second term as president. It's believed that Libbie was influenced by the early Utah suffrage movement in order to fulfill her scholastic, political, and spiritual goals.
UAD is one of the oldest state associations in the United States, and it is still active today. Since its inception in 1909, the UAD has fought for civil rights in a variety of sectors, including auto insurance, traffic safety, anti-peddlers, education, early intervention, employment, rehabilitation, interpreting services, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more.
Libbie presented a talk advocating women's suffrage at the UAD Convention in 1915, after serving a second term as president. It's believed that Libbie was influenced by the early Utah suffrage movement in order to fulfill her scholastic, political, and spiritual goals.
UAD is one of the oldest state associations in the United States, and it is still active today. Since its inception in 1909, the UAD has fought for civil rights in a variety of sectors, including auto insurance, traffic safety, anti-peddlers, education, early intervention, employment, rehabilitation, interpreting services, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more.
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Former NAD & UAD President
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson was as well known nationally as he was locally. From 1960 to 1963, he was president of the Utah Association of the Deaf. In 1964, he was elected as the 17th president of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), a position he held from 1964 to 1968. Under Dr. Sanderson's leadership, the NAD headquarters were relocated from Berkeley, California to Washington, D.C. in 1965. He continued to live and work in Utah where he devoted himself to serving his term as NAD president and advancing the cause of the deaf on both state and national levels (UAD Bulletin, Summer 1964, p. 1).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson
Bobbie Beth Scoggins, then president of the NAD reported that Dr. Sanderson as NAD president was recognized as one of the most powerful, inspiring advocates (NADmag, Spring 2012, p. 1).
Notably, our local prominent Deaf leader, Dr. Sanderson, NAD president from 1964-68, allowed Deaf women to vote and Black Deaf individuals to become members as well as to vote in 1965 (NAD History).
Notably, our local prominent Deaf leader, Dr. Sanderson, NAD president from 1964-68, allowed Deaf women to vote and Black Deaf individuals to become members as well as to vote in 1965 (NAD History).
Frederick C. Schreiber, a NAD executive director, presents a gavel to the new NAD president, Robert G. Sanderson, in 1968. Photo: Jerome D. Schein
W. David Mortensen, Longest UAD President
W. David Mortensen (known as Dave) contributed a significant deal of his time and energy to the UAD in advancing civil and accessible rights among the Utah Deaf community while Dr. Sanderson was heading the Utah Community Center for the Deaf and participating in local and national activities. He had been actively contributing to the UAD for a long time. He was president of the UAD for 22 years, from 1971 to 1985, 1987 to 1991, and 1993 to 1997. He is the association's longest-serving president, and no one has ever surpassed him. He seen the organization evolve from a simple structure to one that required him to manage multiple programs. During his presidency, UAD grew from a small home-run organization to a well-functioning business office.
W. David Mortensen
In fact, Robert G. Sanderson Community Center, Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, the expansion of interpreting services, and the establishment of Deaf Education with an emphasis in ASL/English Bilingual (then Total Communication) at Utah State University are the result of UAD leading the way.
UAD has fought diligently for years to achieve/maintain/protect equality in all aspects of Utah Deaf citizens' lives, enabling them to function and have an equal chance to exist in this world.
UAD has fought diligently for years to achieve/maintain/protect equality in all aspects of Utah Deaf citizens' lives, enabling them to function and have an equal chance to exist in this world.
Utah Association for the Deaf Officers, 1969-1971. Front Row L-R: Richard Brubaker, Valerie Kinney Platt, Joseph Burnett, Dennis Platt, Ned Wheeler. Back Row L-R: Robert Bonnell, Lloyd Perkins, David Mortensen. Absent: George Laramie and Gene Stewart
Valerie G. Kinney,
the longest serving board member of UAD
the longest serving board member of UAD
As of 2014, Valerie G. Kinney has been serving the UAD for more than 40 years, starting in 1967. She has long made contributions to the Utah Deaf community through her work with the UAD (UAD Bulletin, July 2011). She has worked on numerous committees for the Utah Association for the Deaf, including vice president, secretary, assistant treasurer, treasurer, UAD Bulletin editor, and UAD Announce moderator. Valerie, a Utah Deaf woman, is the association's longest-serving board member.
Valerie G. Kinney
Kim Lucas, Second Female UAD President
Finally, on September 7, 2019, during the UAD Conference, Kim Lucas became the second woman to be president of the Utah Association of the Deaf after over 100 years of men serving as the president.
Kim Lucas
"Passing the Torch"
The "Passing the Torch" logo is very much how Jodi, the website's author, envisioned it after finishing the history of the Utah Association of the Deaf in 2014. It combines equal participation of men and women in political affairs advocating, safeguarding, and ensuring the civil rights of the Utah Deaf community.
Since UAD's establishment in 1909, the exceptional prior leaders have passed the torch to the next leader. The organization continues to provide leadership to guarantee that the local community's accessibility and equality demands are fulfilled, respected, and accommodated to this day.
Few people in the Utah Deaf community, especially the younger generation, appreciate how much UAD has done for them and how much they take for granted now. Now that we have resources at our disposal, I hope the "Passing the Torch" sign will help us remember, respect, and reflect on UAD's long legacy of civil rights protections.
Despite the fact that UAD has its own design, "Passing the Torch" is simply my personal logo that expresses my view of UAD's advocacy on behalf of the Utah Deaf community.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Since UAD's establishment in 1909, the exceptional prior leaders have passed the torch to the next leader. The organization continues to provide leadership to guarantee that the local community's accessibility and equality demands are fulfilled, respected, and accommodated to this day.
Few people in the Utah Deaf community, especially the younger generation, appreciate how much UAD has done for them and how much they take for granted now. Now that we have resources at our disposal, I hope the "Passing the Torch" sign will help us remember, respect, and reflect on UAD's long legacy of civil rights protections.
Despite the fact that UAD has its own design, "Passing the Torch" is simply my personal logo that expresses my view of UAD's advocacy on behalf of the Utah Deaf community.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Officers of the Utah Association for the Deaf, 1971. Front row L-R:: Jerry Taylor, treasurer, Beth Ann Campbell, secretary, Lloyd Perkins, vice president, David Mortensen, president, Ned Wheeler, chairman. Back row L-R: Robert Welsh, Leon Curtis, Kenneth Burdett, Dennis Platt, Gene Stewart, Robert Sanderson
A Slideshow of the Utah
Association of the Deaf Conventions
ARCHIVES
- The UAD Bulletin, Vol. 2, No. 10. Summer 1963. This bulletin issue contains a wealth of information about the Utah Deaf History.
- 29th Biennial Convention of the National Association of the Deaf. Las Vegas, Nevada. June 17-22, 1968. The 1968 NAD Convention was sponsored by the Utah Association for the Deaf.
- Utah Association of the Deaf Scrapbook (Internet)
A Scrapbook of the Utah Association of the Deaf Conventions: 1931-1973
Collected & Created by Gerogia Henricks Walker
Photographed by Duane L. Kinner
Photographed by Duane L. Kinner
Thank you to Gerogia Henricks Walker, a 1930 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, for collecting, preserving, and compiling the scrapbook of the Utah Association of the Deaf from 1931 through 1973.
Gerogia Henricks Walker
References
Will add references later
Will add references later
