Founders and History of American Sign Language

        Schools of the deaf and the beautiful language of sign language were introduced by two intelligent men, Laurent Clerc and Thomas Gallaudet. Laurent Clerc was a deaf teacher in Paris, France and worked at the National Royal insitution for the deaf. Thomas Gallaudet was a hearing American who helped aid Laurent Clerc to establish a school in America for the deaf, and to educate the students with a way of communication. Laurent Clerc and Thomas Gallaudet started a school for the deaf in 1817, which was located in Hartford, Connecticut. The introduction of sign language was derived from Paris, and Thomas Clerc was responsible for its development.

          During the eighteenth century, sign language was banned in Italy. Some Italians thought that the deaf needed to adapt to the hearing environment, and “fix” themselves. They banned use of sign language by using string to tie down hands, and used mittens to make it difficult to even try to sign.
         
          In 1880 the National Association of the deaf was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio. This program consisted of individuals who were deaf who worked together to fight for rights and to fight against discrimination. In 1900 to 1960 was known as the “dark ages” of deaf history.  However, in the 1960’s many improvements began to take place.

        In 1988 students protested at Gallaudet University stating, “Prejudice, is believing that deaf people have to be taken care of”. During the protest, which lasted eight days, the deaf students/ protesters demanded respect from the hearing community, and stated that deafness is not a disability. The deaf community regained control over the school and American Sign Language blossomed.

Scheetz, Nanci A. "Chapter Four: The Educational Environment." Orientation to Deafness. Second ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1993. 78-106. Print