Utah Deaf History and Culture
  • Home
  • Beginning of the Utah Deaf History Project
  • Why the Website?
  • Special Thanks
  • Editors & Testimonials
  • Biographies of Prominent Deaf Individuals in Utah
    • Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Men
    • Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Women
    • Biographies of Prominent Utah Interpreters
    • Biographies of Utah Deaf Artists
    • Eleanor Kay Kinner Curtis, ​the Utah Deaf Model
  • History of the ​Utah School for the Deaf
    • The Utah School for the ​ ​Deaf Archives
    • Wayne E. Stewart's Photos ​of the Utah School for the Deaf ​& the Utah Deaf Community
    • The 1976 and 1984 Utah School for the Deaf Reunions
    • History of the Jean Massieu School ​of the Deaf
    • History of the Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf
    • Brandon R. Hill, a Deaf Designer of the Eagle Logo of the Utah School for the Deaf
    • Jean Massieu School of the Deaf's 20th Anniversary Celebration
    • History of the Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf
    • Amanda Tolle Wolfe, a Deaf Designer of the Phoenix Mascot of the ​​Elizabeth School of the Deaf
    • Videos of the Experiences Growing Up at theUtah School for the Deaf ​and/or Public School
  • Deaf Education History in Utah
    • Dr. Grant B. Bitter, the Father of Mainstreaming & A Collection of ​Dr. Bitter's Videos
    • The Impact of the Oral Leaders Within and Outside of Utah
    • Students Strike Over the Oral and Sign Language Segregation Policy at the Utah School for the Deaf ​in 1962 and 1969
    • Dr. Jay J. Campbell's 1977 Comprehensive Study ​of Deaf Education in Utah
    • Jeffrey W. Pollock: The Utah Deaf Education Controversy: Total Communication 
Versus Oralism ​at the University of Utah
    • ​​Dr. Robert G. Sanderson: "Mainstreaming Is Not the Answer for All Deaf Children"
    • Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's Dream for an Equal Deaf Education System
    • The Controversial Parallel Correspondence Between American Sign Language ​and Listening & Spoken Language
    • Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz, ​Co-Founder of the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf
    • The Deaf Representatives ​on the Advisory Council of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
  • Sociology of the Utah School for the Deaf ​in the Utah Deaf Community, 1890-1970
  • History of the Utah Association of the Deaf Conventions/Conferences and Its Officers
    • ​A Brief History of the ​Utah Association of the Deaf
    • The Utah Association of the Deaf Bulletins/Awards/Logos
    • House Bill 60: Changing the Term from 'Hearing Impaired' ​to the 'Deaf and Hard of Hearing'
  • History of the National Fraternal ​Society of the Deaf
  • History of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
    • The Directors of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center ​of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
    • Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's ​2003 Honorary Ceremony
    • W. David Mortensen's 2014 Honorary Ceremony
    • Robert G. Sanderson Community Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration
    • Robert G. Sanderson Community Center's 30th Anniversary Celebration
  • Utah's Connection to ​Gallaudet University History
    • Ronald C. Burdett, a Utah Native and Gallaudet Graduate of 1970, Honors at the Sorenson Communication, Inc. Naming Ceremony
    • Dr. I. King Jordan, the First Deaf President of Gallaudet University, Visits Utah
  • The History of Interpreting Services in Utah
    • Beth Ann Stewart Campbell Holds the Distinction of Being the First ​Nationally Certified Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Interpreter in Utah and the United States
    • The Utah Interpreting Program celebrates its 30th Anniversary
  • History of the Deaf Latter-day ​Saints Community of ​The Church of Jesus Christ ​of Latter-day Saints
    • Anne Leahy and Doug Stringham, ​History Researchers of the Deaf Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • The History of Utah Deaf Sports
  • Deaf Organizations in Utah
  • History of the ​Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
  • History of the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf
  • Utah Senior Deaf Citizens
  • History of the Vocational Education Programs at the Utah School for the Deaf
  • The History of ​Utah Deaf Technology
  • Outstanding Resilience Contributed to the Success of Utah's Deaf Women's History
  • Outstanding Contributions in the ​Early History of Utah's Deaf and Non-Deaf Women
  • Utah's Connection to Black Deaf History
  • The Utah Deaf History Museum at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center ​
  • Films Created by the ASL Community in Utah
  • Utah Deaf Ski Archive
  • The Utah Deaf History Collection at UVU's George Sutherland Archives
  • Parker Holt's Gallaudet Pre-Law Writing Award for Focusing on Utah's Laws That Impact ​the Utah Deaf Community
  • Utah Deaf History YouTube channel
  • Contact & Copyright Permission

Why the Website?


I initially planned to write a book about Utah Deaf History and Culture, but I ultimately decided that creating a digital library website would be a more accessible option. I feel strongly about preserving and sharing the rich history and culture of the Utah Deaf community, and this decision was influenced by several important factors.

  • The impact of residential school in Ogden, Utah, decreased over time, and oral education and mainstreaming became more prevalent at the Utah School for the Deaf in the 1950s and 1960s. Consequently, the number of Utah Deaf community members decreased, and fewer graduates purchased the book.
  • Due to the significant reduction in the number of people who graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf, many of the older generations of graduates who valued language, heritage, and culture may not be around to buy the book.
  • There is a slim chance that younger people who have graduated from mainstream settings will buy it.

Publishing a book can be expensive and may not be a wise investment. The primary goal of this project is to keep Utah Deaf history alive by establishing an easily accessible digital library website. We will continuously update the site with historical information about the events that have shaped the Utah Deaf community. Instead of letting a book collect dust on a shelf, anyone interested in learning more about Utah Deaf History and Culture can visit the website freely.


Picture
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf on May 20, 1927. An old truck with piles of students is parked behind the Annex Building and a 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)

Many members of the Utah Deaf community cherish their memories of residential school, where they could connect through a common language, culture, and identity—often referring to it as "home." To accurately represent the history of Ogden's Residential School and the impact of oral and mainstreaming methods used there, I will refer to it as "institution," "Ogden's Residential School," or "state school" throughout this website.

This site also serves as a platform to educate others about the efforts made by Utah's Deaf leaders to preserve their language, heritage, and culture. It is important to clarify that this website is not intended to criticize anyone. I kindly ask that this site's information, content, and materials be used solely for educational purposes and not for distribution or replication.

If you notice any inaccuracies or have additional information or materials to share about Utah Deaf history, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. I am dedicated to ensuring the accuracy and completeness of this work, and I truly appreciate your feedback or contributions. 

Thank you for your interest in the website! I hope you find it engaging, educational, and informative!


Enjoy!
​
Jodi Christel Becker

Picture
Students at the 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, _____

"The ideology of Dr. Grant B. Bitter has had
​a profound impact on the Utah Deaf community, both in oral and mainstream settings."
 
​~Jodi Christel Becker~

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