Videos of the Experiences Growing up at the Utah School for the Deaf
and/or Public School
Marion Brown West
Marion Brown West is sharing her memories of the Utah School for the Deaf back in the 1940s. She graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1949. Upon graduation, she enrolled in Gallaudet College where she graduated in 1950. She enjoyed a successful career with the Bureau of Land Management. She is now retired, and enjoys following today's Utah School for the Deaf on social media. To this day, she has fond memories of her teachers who provided her with personalized instruction and a wonderful education. Please click CC for closed captions. Filmed by USDB and posted on October 19, 2018.
Lisa Richards Roush
Here is Lisa Richards Roush’s video sharing her experience growing up in the oral program under the Utah School for the Deaf in the 1960s and 1970s.
Background History: Under the leadership of Dr. Grant B. Bitter, a staunch advocate/activist for oral and mainstream education for deaf and hard of hearing students, Utah's trend toward mainstreaming grew steadily in the 1960s. The Utah School for the Deaf (USD) set up an Extension division in Salt Lake City, Utah. This school allowed deaf students to attend classes near home. Again, with Dr. Bitter’s effort in 1962, USD in Ogden was divided into two divisions, i.e., the Oral and the Simultaneous Communication Division. Each had separate classrooms, dormitory facilities, recess, and co-curricular activities, except athletic programs. The implementation of dual tracking constituted the darkest chapter in the education of the deaf in Utah.
Lisa experienced the “front line” in the educational system under Dr. Bitter’s influence. She, as a survivor, is scarred from the experience. I believe sharing this video is a great therapy for her and it also helps preserve our Deaf Education history in Utah. Lisa, thanks for sharing the video! Filmed by Lisa Richards Roush and posted on February 24, 2020.
Background History: Under the leadership of Dr. Grant B. Bitter, a staunch advocate/activist for oral and mainstream education for deaf and hard of hearing students, Utah's trend toward mainstreaming grew steadily in the 1960s. The Utah School for the Deaf (USD) set up an Extension division in Salt Lake City, Utah. This school allowed deaf students to attend classes near home. Again, with Dr. Bitter’s effort in 1962, USD in Ogden was divided into two divisions, i.e., the Oral and the Simultaneous Communication Division. Each had separate classrooms, dormitory facilities, recess, and co-curricular activities, except athletic programs. The implementation of dual tracking constituted the darkest chapter in the education of the deaf in Utah.
Lisa experienced the “front line” in the educational system under Dr. Bitter’s influence. She, as a survivor, is scarred from the experience. I believe sharing this video is a great therapy for her and it also helps preserve our Deaf Education history in Utah. Lisa, thanks for sharing the video! Filmed by Lisa Richards Roush and posted on February 24, 2020.