Why the Website?
We, the Utah Association of the Deaf, had originally planned to print a "Utah Deaf History" book, but instead chose to use a digital library website.
For a variety of reasons, we opted for the website route. The impact of the residential school has decreased with the adoption of oral education and mainstreaming at the Utah School for the Deaf in the 1950s and 1960s. Since then, the number of Utah Deaf community members has dropped.
Due to a significant reduction in the number of people who graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf, many of the older generation of graduates who valued language, heritage, and culture may not be around to buy the book. Furthermore, there is a slim chance that it will be purchased by younger people who have graduated from mainstreamed settings. The cost of publishing the book is expensive, and it may not be a good investment.
The goal is to preserve Utah Deaf History through posting and updating accessible history on this website and providing information on historical events. Rather than putting the book to collect dust on the shelf, anyone interested in learning more about Utah Deaf History and Culture can visit our website.
For a variety of reasons, we opted for the website route. The impact of the residential school has decreased with the adoption of oral education and mainstreaming at the Utah School for the Deaf in the 1950s and 1960s. Since then, the number of Utah Deaf community members has dropped.
Due to a significant reduction in the number of people who graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf, many of the older generation of graduates who valued language, heritage, and culture may not be around to buy the book. Furthermore, there is a slim chance that it will be purchased by younger people who have graduated from mainstreamed settings. The cost of publishing the book is expensive, and it may not be a good investment.
The goal is to preserve Utah Deaf History through posting and updating accessible history on this website and providing information on historical events. Rather than putting the book to collect dust on the shelf, anyone interested in learning more about Utah Deaf History and Culture can visit our website.
Students of the Utah School for the Deaf, May 20, 1927. An old truck with piles of USD students behind the Annex Building & fire escape cylinder. Seated on the bumper is Wayne Stewart. Standing to his right is Cyrus Freston. Kenneth Burdett is standing tall above the cab of the truck. The first two standing nearest in the bed of the truck are Joseph Burnett (left) and Verl Throup (right)
This website is not intended to be critical or derogatory of any individuals or groups. Its goal is to educate the public about Utah Deaf leaders' tireless efforts to safeguard their language, heritage, and culture. This website's ultimate purpose is to increase public awareness of Utah Deaf history. The information, content, and materials on this website are solely for educational purposes and should not be published, distributed, or replicated. To anyone who are concerned about this website, I do not believe we can try to hide, disregard, or deny the significant impact of Dr. Grant B. Bitter and oral advocates on Utah Deaf history. It is, after all, a part of our history.
Please contact Jodi Becker Kinner through email at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com if you have additional information regarding Utah Deaf history or photos/materials to share.
Also, please contact me at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com if you require information that is not available on the website.
I make every effort to ensure that the information is both useful and accurate. Please let me know if you see any errors in the information.
Thank you for stopping by; I hope you find the site entertaining, educational, and informative!
Jodi Becker Kinner
Please contact Jodi Becker Kinner through email at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com if you have additional information regarding Utah Deaf history or photos/materials to share.
Also, please contact me at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com if you require information that is not available on the website.
I make every effort to ensure that the information is both useful and accurate. Please let me know if you see any errors in the information.
Thank you for stopping by; I hope you find the site entertaining, educational, and informative!
Jodi Becker Kinner
Students of Utah School for the Deaf, 1928-1930. Back L-R: Wayne Stewart, William Woodward, Alton Fisher, John (Jack) White, Joseph Burnett, possible Leon Edwards, Arvel Christensen, Virgil Greenwood, ____
Front L-R: J. Sherwood Messerly, Rodney Walker, Melvin Penman, Wesley Perry, Verl Throup, _____
"Dr. Grant B. Bitter's oral and mainstreaming ideology has left a profound impact on the Utah Deaf community in every way"
~Jodi Becker Kinner~
~Jodi Becker Kinner~