Utah Deaf Organizations
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2013
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2013
The Nature of Organizational Changes
For years, members of the Utah Deaf community, particularly Utah School for the Deaf alumni and non-native Utahns, were actively involved in various local organizations. Conventions and activities were packed with many people of all ages. At some level, the organizations helped the members develop their leadership capabilities, develop friendships and make networking contacts.
As the years went by, a faithful aging population continued to attend conventions and activities where young energetic people were seldom found. This resulted in a decline in membership.
Today, many local organizations face a similar challenge in declining membership due mainstreaming and advanced technology. Since the early 1960s under the influence of Dr. Grant B. Bitter, an avid advocate for oral and mainstream education for Deaf and hard of hearing students, our state school for the deaf has lost the value of education growth, leadership ability, identity development, and social competence in the Deaf community. Technology, on the other hand, has also affected social interaction. With the effect on technology such as social media, videophones, and closed captioning, members of the Deaf community have less face-to-face contact. This in turn has eliminated or reduced the desire to attend events sponsored by the Deaf community. They no longer rely on organizations to meet social needs.
Sufficient to say, the nature of organizations has changed over the years. As of now, some of the following organizations are still running and some are closed. We hope you enjoy viewing the history of each organization.
As the years went by, a faithful aging population continued to attend conventions and activities where young energetic people were seldom found. This resulted in a decline in membership.
Today, many local organizations face a similar challenge in declining membership due mainstreaming and advanced technology. Since the early 1960s under the influence of Dr. Grant B. Bitter, an avid advocate for oral and mainstream education for Deaf and hard of hearing students, our state school for the deaf has lost the value of education growth, leadership ability, identity development, and social competence in the Deaf community. Technology, on the other hand, has also affected social interaction. With the effect on technology such as social media, videophones, and closed captioning, members of the Deaf community have less face-to-face contact. This in turn has eliminated or reduced the desire to attend events sponsored by the Deaf community. They no longer rely on organizations to meet social needs.
Sufficient to say, the nature of organizations has changed over the years. As of now, some of the following organizations are still running and some are closed. We hope you enjoy viewing the history of each organization.
Beehive Chapter of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association (PDF)
Camp Liahona for Deaf Children (PDF)
Deaf Heritage and Library Cultural Center (PDF)
Eye-Sign Media, LLC (PDF)
Ned C. Wheeler Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf (PDF)
R.E.M. Films (PDF)
United Utah Organizations of the Deaf (PDF)
Utah Deaf Genealogical Association (PDF)
Utah Deaf Women’s Camp (PDF)
whatQGA (PDF)
Camp Liahona for Deaf Children (PDF)
Deaf Heritage and Library Cultural Center (PDF)
Eye-Sign Media, LLC (PDF)
Ned C. Wheeler Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf (PDF)
R.E.M. Films (PDF)
United Utah Organizations of the Deaf (PDF)
Utah Deaf Genealogical Association (PDF)
Utah Deaf Women’s Camp (PDF)
whatQGA (PDF)