1. Make sure you have your ASL notebook, paper, and a writing utensil at your seat when the bell rings!
 Today we’re talking about CULTURE!!! YAY!!! 

2. Introduction to Deaf Culture
Ms. Katie O’Brien
American Sign Language I
Clear Lake High School

3. Deaf? What is the definition of deaf?
Someone who has a hearing loss
A medical label
What is the definition of “Deaf”?
Someone who identifies themselves as a member of the “Deaf Community”
Involved in the culture

4. What is Culture?
Culture is the shared values, beliefs, traditions, history, language, experiences, and sometimes oppression of a group of people
The “majority culture” of the United States are Caucasian protestants; all other groups are considered minority cultures
Those with political control are considered the majority culture; demographics has nothing to do with it

5. The Deaf Community? Deaf Culture?
Deaf culture is the shared values, beliefs, traditions, history, language, experiences, and oppression of Deaf people
Who is in the Deaf community?
Deaf people
Family members
Interpreters
Deaf Educators
ASL Educators
ASL Students – Welcome!

6. Deaf Community At A Glance
ASL Students
Interpreters
Deaf
DoD
Advocates
Family Members
Deaf Educator
ASL Instructor

7. Shared History
Deaf people in the United States consider the year 1817 to be the beginning of modern Deaf culture
Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc are the “Fathers of Deaf Culture” in the United States
The American School for the Deaf, established in Hartford, Connecticut, 1817

8. Thomas Gallaudet Noticed a neighbor’s daughter he saw playing alone
Learned that she was deaf and decided to start a school for her
Traveled to Europe in search of a way to teach her
Meet Laurent Clerc in France

9. Thomas Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell
Statue of Gallaudet and Alice at Gallaudet University

10. Gallaudet’s Time in Europe
Visited the Braidwood School for the Deaf in England.
Braidwood School was a “Family Business,” and Gallaudet was given the cold shoulder.
Meet a French Educator who agreed to teach him how to educate Deaf people.
When Gallaudet was ready to return to the states, he convinced Laurent Clerc to join him.

11. Laurent Clerc
Traveled to America with Gallaudet to help establish a school for Deaf children there
Legend states that he learned written English in month it took for the ship to get to America
The ship he traveled on, the Mary Augusta, is known as the “Mayflower of the Deaf”

12. Shared Oppression DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!
Deaf people have long been oppressed by hearing people who thought Deaf people were incapable of caring for themselves
The oppression of Deaf people continues today; however, Deaf people are winning their independence
DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!

13. Gallaudet University for the Deaf
The first and only liberal arts university in the world for Deaf people
Located in Washington, D.C.
Charter signed by Abraham Lincoln
The site of the now-famous “Deaf President Now” protest in 1988

14. Shared Traditions Deaf clubs Deaf schools Storytelling
Used to be the only way to get information, see movies, make phone calls
Dwindling and/or changing form
Deaf schools
Passing on of language, traditions, history
TSD
Some states have closed their institutes due to low enrollment
Storytelling
ABC stories
Traditional stories
ASL Poetry
Ben Bahan, Author of “A Bird of a Different Feather”

15. Are you a part of Deaf culture?
ASL students are considered a part of Deaf culture; you attend a class daily that includes many cultural behaviors
You interact with Deaf people at social gatherings and other Deaf events
You learn about Deaf culture and share those traditions with other people
YOU ARE DEAF CULTURE!

16. Pictures for PowerPoint from…
Picture of Hands taken by Dustin Koch
Clear Lake High School ASL III Class,