Why the Website?
We, the Utah Association of the Deaf, had initially planned to print a "Utah Deaf History" book but instead used a digital library website.
For a variety of reasons, we opted for the website route. First, the impact of the residential school 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 generations of graduates who valued language, heritage, and culture may not be around to buy the book. Additionally, there is a slim chance that younger people who have graduated from mainstream settings will buy it. Publishing the book is expensive and may not be a good investment.
The goal is to keep Utah's Deaf history alive by putting accessible history on this website, keeping it up to date, and giving information about historical events. So rather than leaving 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. First, the impact of the residential school 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 generations of graduates who valued language, heritage, and culture may not be around to buy the book. Additionally, there is a slim chance that younger people who have graduated from mainstream settings will buy it. Publishing the book is expensive and may not be a good investment.
The goal is to keep Utah's Deaf history alive by putting accessible history on this website, keeping it up to date, and giving information about historical events. So rather than leaving 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)
Unlike those who were institutionalized and subjected to cruelty, the majority of the Deaf community had positive memories of their residential school, where they shared a common language, culture, and identity. They called it "home." To convey the history of the school and the impact of the oral and mainstreaming of Ogden's Residential School, I'll use the terms "institution," "Ogden's Residential School," or "state school" on this webpage.
This website is not intended to be critical or derogatory of any individuals or groups. Its goal is to educate the public about the tireless efforts of Utah's Deaf leaders 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 is 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.
I, the website's author, strive for accuracy and completeness. Please contact me at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com if you notice something that isn't quite right. I make every effort to ensure that the information is both useful and accurate. Please contact me if you have any additional information or photos/materials to provide regarding Utah Deaf history.
Thank you for stopping by; I hope you find the site entertaining, educational, and informative!
Jodi Becker Kinner
This website is not intended to be critical or derogatory of any individuals or groups. Its goal is to educate the public about the tireless efforts of Utah's Deaf leaders 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 is 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.
I, the website's author, strive for accuracy and completeness. Please contact me at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com if you notice something that isn't quite right. I make every effort to ensure that the information is both useful and accurate. Please contact me if you have any additional information or photos/materials to provide regarding Utah Deaf history.
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~