Why the Website?
Students of the Utah School for the Deaf, May 20, 1927
Originally, we, the Utah Association of the Deaf, planned to publish a “Utah Deaf History” book, but decided that a digital library website be utilized instead.
We have decided to use the website approach for various reasons. Since the implementation of oral education at the Utah School for the Deaf in the 1950s (more emphasized in the 1960s), the impact has been a diminishing role of the residential school as well as the decreasing number of Utah Deaf community members.
Due to decreasing members of the older generation who graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf that valued the language, heritage and culture, many of them may not be around to purchase the book. In addition, it may be a slim chance that younger generation who graduated from a mainstreamed setting would be interested in purchasing it. Besides, it is pretty expensive publish the books and it may not be a good investment.
In order to preserve the Utah Deaf History, I wish to post and update the available history on this website. It is the goal that those people who try to locate particular information about specific historical events will be able to find it in the website. I hope the digital library benefits everyone – parents of deaf children, postsecondary students, interpreters and the ASL community at no cost.
This website is not intended to be negative or critical towards the particular individuals or parties. It is intended to highlight Utah Deaf community members’ fierce ongoing struggle to protect and preserve their language, heritage and culture. Ultimately, the purpose of this site is to increase people’s awareness of Utah Deaf History.
To those who have concerns about this website, I do not think we can attempt to hide, ignore or deny the profound effects of Dr. Grant B. Bitter and oral advocates on our Utah Deaf History. After all, it is part of our history.
If you are looking for the information that is not in the website, please contact me at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com.
I strive to make the information helpful and accurate. If you wish to correct the information, please let me know as well.
Thank you for visiting, I hope you find the site, enjoyable, informative and educational!
Jodi Becker Kinner
We have decided to use the website approach for various reasons. Since the implementation of oral education at the Utah School for the Deaf in the 1950s (more emphasized in the 1960s), the impact has been a diminishing role of the residential school as well as the decreasing number of Utah Deaf community members.
Due to decreasing members of the older generation who graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf that valued the language, heritage and culture, many of them may not be around to purchase the book. In addition, it may be a slim chance that younger generation who graduated from a mainstreamed setting would be interested in purchasing it. Besides, it is pretty expensive publish the books and it may not be a good investment.
In order to preserve the Utah Deaf History, I wish to post and update the available history on this website. It is the goal that those people who try to locate particular information about specific historical events will be able to find it in the website. I hope the digital library benefits everyone – parents of deaf children, postsecondary students, interpreters and the ASL community at no cost.
This website is not intended to be negative or critical towards the particular individuals or parties. It is intended to highlight Utah Deaf community members’ fierce ongoing struggle to protect and preserve their language, heritage and culture. Ultimately, the purpose of this site is to increase people’s awareness of Utah Deaf History.
To those who have concerns about this website, I do not think we can attempt to hide, ignore or deny the profound effects of Dr. Grant B. Bitter and oral advocates on our Utah Deaf History. After all, it is part of our history.
If you are looking for the information that is not in the website, please contact me at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com.
I strive to make the information helpful and accurate. If you wish to correct the information, please let me know as well.
Thank you for visiting, I hope you find the site, enjoyable, informative and educational!
Jodi Becker Kinner
"Dr. Grant B. Bitter, an oral and mainstream education advocate and activist, had a lasting impact in all aspects of the Utah Deaf community."
~Jodi Becker Kinner~
~Jodi Becker Kinner~