Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America

Foreword

Every book has a reason for coming into being. Basically, it is a response to a long-felt and Ofl-expressed need for a volume which deals with the contributions of deaf Americans to society. The heri tage was waiting to be recorded. For all its richness, the material On deaf people and deafness had not been tapped. The world of deafness has had its trai.l-blazers, innovators, statesmen, philosophers, writers, artists, politicians, and reformers. Throughoot the year in our coon try, there have been events of import, deeds ofcourage, decisions of la ting inAuence , strokes )f brilliance, works of high quality, and moments of glory- all created by deaf people. The need was to capture between the covers of a book as many of them as pQssible, Many goals were envisioned ior the book. Perhaps the most important one was to present in a cogent farm the legacy left to us by the deaf people of generations gone by. It would remind our young dea f p eople that deafness need not be a barrier to wha t they can dQ to enrich the quality of life for deaf citizen everywhere. More importantly, it would make them aware of the rich heritage that has cumulati vely been bestowed on them. The book was SUfe to come sooner or later. The Centennial Convention is often cited as the reason that the book-writing project got moving. It wasn't. It did, however, provide a powerful impetus towa rd its developmrm t. Yet, the timing of the project couldn't be more favorable. It coincides with the National Association of the Deaf's Centennial Celebration in Cincinnati. ,Ohio, June 3O-July 5, 1980. It remained only for someone to undertake the monumental task of researching the innumerable gems of infomlation and weaving them into the stirForeword ring and inspiring volume it fi nally became. The National Association of the Deaf selected Jilek R. Gannon , Director of Alumni and Public Relations at Gallaudet Colleg.. and E..celltive Secretary uf the Gallaudet College Alumni A 50oation for this job. For him, it was a labor of love. Tlw document clearly reveals it. The National AssDciatiun of th e Deaf [)wes him a debt it cannot 'vel' repay. Mentiun must be made l1f GaJlaudet C(lilege's contribution to the project. Although Gallaud,H College and th National As ociation of the Deaf perform diffe rent roles in serving deaf Americans, they share some commnn guals. One of these is not only to promute n'spect for deaf individuals. but also tu recognize the contributions of deaf Americans to society. The book i a tangible example of coopl.'fation between the college and the Association. The Natiunal Association of the Deaf wishes to express its deep appreciation to Gallaudet College and Dr. Edward C. Mer(ill, Jr., its president, for providing the time and 5Uppl)rt for Mr. Gannon to write the book. Tht' National Association of the Deaf also wishes to e. press its gratitude to all who in any way, large or small, contributed to the d('veiopmenl of the book. The book is finally here. It ha been worth waiting for! Ralph [I. White President Nd tional As~ociation of the Deaf xiii ...