Deaf History Exhibit

March 13-April 15

On display now, through mid-April, Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) high school students are displaying a look at the history of Deaf heritage, Deaf culture and Deaf pride to commemorate Deaf History Month, March 13-April 15.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Deaf History Month on display inside TSD’s high school building, students have assembled a collection of interesting items, impressive facts and important resources that highlight Deaf History, and the history of the Texas School for the Deaf. TSD has a rich history full of notable and successful Deaf alumni. Discover the stories behind the buildings named for many former students on TSD’s campus and find information about local and statewide offerings to Deaf and hard of hearing.

Learn how the history of baseball umpire’s signals came about, who young deaf adults view as role models, and the beginning of American Sign Language (ASL). ASL students are sharing their works of literature and TSD student produced art is on view as well. See students’ own interesting version of a timeline detailing Deaf History, and answer a fun-factual “Question of the Day”, which will contribute to classroom discussions as studies focus on Deaf History at TSD throughout the month.

Deaf History Month, marks the anniversary of the Deaf President Now (DPN) movement in 1988 on the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., when students demanded a deaf president lead the world's only university for deaf and hard of hearing. March 13, 1988, I. King Jordan was named President of Gallaudet, the institution’s eighth - and first - deaf president. Other important milestones in Deaf history that are remembered during the month is the founding of Gallaudet University on April 8, when President Lincoln signed the school’s charter in 1864 to establish a college for the deaf. And on April 15, the American School for the Deaf - the first public school for deaf - opened its doors in 1817.

Texas School for the Deaf’s High School - Second floor lobby