VIDEO: (American Sign Language) - Deaf President Now: A News Footage Perspective.
On August 24, 1987, Gallaudet's 6th president, Dr. Jerry Lee, announced that he would be leaving the presidency of Gallaudet University. It prompted new (or rekindled) discussion among the Deaf community that it is time for Gallaudet to have a Deaf president leading the one and only Deaf university in the world. The search committee narrowed down from 67 applicants to 3 finalists: Dr. Harvey Corson (Deaf), Dr. Elizabeth Zinser (hearing), and Dr. I. King Jordan (Deaf).
On March 6, 1988, it was expected that the board would announce the new 7th president in the field house at 8:30 pm. Instead of making a formal announcement, the audience was told that "a news release had been hastily distributed two hours earlier" revealing that Dr. Elizabeth Zinser has been selected as first 7th president of Gallaudet University.
The reaction to the news was "met with shock, anger, disbelief, and, in some cases, tears" because every effort were made to the Gallaudet Board of Trustees with strong urgency that it is time for Gallaudet to have a Deaf president to lead the university. Upon the selection of Dr. Zinser, the birth of the now well-known Deaf President Now (DPN) protest officially began.
VIDEO - The Kojo Nnamdi Show: The Legacy Of Gallaudet's 'Deaf President Now' Movement, 03/07/13 (Full Hour)
Since its founding in the mid-19th century, Gallaudet University has been an academic and cultural hub for the Deaf community. But until 1988, the university never had a Deaf president.
Twenty-five years ago this week, students launched a protest on the Northeast D.C. campus, dubbed the "Deaf President Now" movement. The protest resulted in the school's first Deaf president, and helped spur passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act two years later. Kojo explores the legacy of student protests at Gallaudet.
Gregory Hlibok: Former Gallaudet University Student Body President and student leader of the Deaf President Now movement in 1988; Chief of the Disability Rights Division in the Bureau of Consumer and Governmental Affairs at the Federal Communications Commission
VIDEO: Washingtonpost.com - Gallaudet University uses all-sign language episode of ‘Switched at Birth’ to air new commercial.
Gallaudet University is taking advantage of a special episode of ABC Family’s ‘Switched at Birth’ Monday night, as a commercial for the university will air during an episode of the show that is told entirely in American Sign Language and based on real-life events that happened at the school itself.
The all-sign language technique for the episode is a first for a scripted series on mainstream television, according to the network, which will air Gallaudet’s commercial twice during the hour. The episode takes place on the 25th anniversary of the Deaf President Now movement at Gallaudet in March 1988, when students and faculty protested after the university instated a hearing president over two Deaf candidates.
‘Switched at Birth,’ which wraps up the first half of its second season next week, follows the chaos that takes place when two high school girls find out they were sent home with the wrong families as babies in the hospital. One of the daughters is Deaf, resulting as a driving plot force in the series. The show, which debuted in June 2011 to more than 3 million viewers, has attracted around 1.7 million people per episode this season.
Nytimes.com - On Monday night, ABC Family did something that no commercial television outlet in the United States had ever done: it broadcast an entire episode of a show in sign language, with closed captioning turned on by default.
Advocates for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing cheered the move, and they wondered: would viewers tune in specifically for the almost-silent episode of the series, ‘Switched at Birth,’ one of ABC Family’s most popular? Or would viewers turn it off, potentially perturbed by the lack of audio? There was a normal musical score, and a scene at the beginning of the episode with audible dialogue, but the rest of the dialogue was in sign language.
Broadly speaking, neither outcome came true. The show’s overnight Nielsen ratings were down, but only slightly. Most fans of the show stayed with it 1.6 million, according to the overnight ratings. The series this season has averaged 1.7 million viewers.
In the show’s target demographic, women 12 to 34, 748,000 viewers tuned in, down just a little bit from the season average of 777,000. About a quarter of those viewers usually record the show and watch it later, so the final ratings won’t come in for a while.
‘Switched at Birth’: ABC Family’s The teen soap Switched at Birth explores self-expression and the communication gulf between the hearing and Deaf communities. List of Switched at Birth characters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Switched_at_Birth_characters
VIDEO: Technology Helps Deaf Students at Gallaudet University. (Captioned)
VOA - Gallaudet University in Washington is the world's only university with programs designed for Deaf students and those who are hard-of-hearing. But hearing disorders do not keep students from learning because of the university's heavy use of technology.
Students use interactive technologies in and out of the classroom, technologies such as webcam interactions on Skype. More than 90 percent of Gallaudet's classes use some form of online communication. Professor Gene Mirus says technology is important in the learning process. "So there are, you know, televisions and webcams and things like that. Students are able to record themselves doing projects in sign language, and do that at home. We use a lot of computer technologies, and webcams and things like that."
Sonam Jain, a student from Sri Lanka, says his years at Gallaudet have offered experiences different from his childhood. "Sri Lanka has states. And they don't have one standardized sign language. So, in the United States, for example, there are signs for almost everything that you would ever want to talk about.
In Sri Lanka, there isn't. And so there are many things you find it very difficult to talk about in Sri Lanka." Another student says Gallaudet has helped him with his communication skills, especially with ASL - American Sign Language.
"When I grew up, I was signing in a way that was more English-like. Here at Gallaudet, I sign more like I sign in ASL - more visual and the communication is much easier, and the social life is wonderful here." That increased ability to communicate helps many students. "A lot of networking and reaching out to people and I've learned from - I've had role models that I've learned from here.
They provide workshops, there are a lot of sporting activities, intramural events that I've been involved with." "Most students increase their self-confidence, and improve their communication abilities and they leave Gallaudet ready to face the world." I'm Jeri Watson.
VIDEO: Gallaudet Professor Creates Historical Change. (Captioned)
NBC 4 WRC. Dr. Carolyn McCaskill, a professor of Deaf studies at Gallaudet University, has seen firsthand the pressures of being black in America pressure made worse because she is Deaf.
WJLA - Gallaudet University marks 25th anniversary of 'Deaf President Now' protests.
WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University is marking the 25th anniversary of the “Deaf President Now” protests. The grassroots effort was launched by students in 1988, generating national and international headlines and resulting in the university’s first Deaf president.
When the Board of Trustees selected the only hearing candidate as Gallaudet University’s next president 25 years ago, students organized a week of protests, chanting “Deaf president now.”
“I can remember when we were looking for a Deaf president I actually made a comment that I hope we see a Deaf president in my lifetime. So I think that gives you an example of how far away it seemed to me,” says Fred Weiner.
Since 1988, three Deaf men have served as president of the university. This week, they gathered to reflect on the so-called DPN movement’s anniversary.
“Expectations were very high, very, very high,” says Dr. I. King Jordan, Gallaudet’s first Deaf president. “But there were also expectations that I couldn’t succeed.
Video: Gallaudet student arrested on drug distribution charges.
The Washington Post - Police have arrested and charged a Gallaudet University student with intending to distribute drugs after authorities said they found two pounds of marijuana some baked into fudge and cookies in her dorm room on the Northeast Washington campus.
A D.C. Superior Court judge on Monday released Molly E. Sachs to a drug treatment center and ordered her to appear for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 31, according to online court records.
Sachs is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, a felony.
A university spokeswoman confirmed that Sachs is a student and said the school is cooperating with authorities. Statistics show that in 2011, the latest available, three students at the school for the Deaf were arrested on drug charges in dorms, and 147 were referred to campus judicial review for drug-related issues.
ABC7 - A local college student from Gallaudet University is in big trouble Monday after police say she was busted with a huge stash of drugs that she intended to distribute it to others.
According to 31-year-old Molly Sachs' online resume, she is a senior at Gallaudet University with plans of graduating in May. She’s in a sorority and loves to do volunteer work. D.C. police say Sunday night they arrested her after a sizeable amount of marijuana, pills and cash were found in her dorm room.
The colors were bright and positive and radiated energy, exactly how those who loved them remembered the mother and daughter, who died last week in a Falls Church house fire.
Friends, family members and faculty turned into a sea of pink and yellow Mary Ann’s favorite colors as they gathered at Gallaudet University in Northeast Washington.
Capt. William Moreland, a spokesman with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, said firefighters were called to the home in the 3100 block of Manor Rd. The entire single-level ranch-style home was completely engulfed when crews arrived.
Moreland said they will release the identities of the victims once family has been notified.
Laura Snyder-Gardner and Mary Ann Gardner Scholarship Fund.
Thank you for considering a gift in memory of Laura Snyder-Gardner & Mary Ann Gardner. Laura and Mary Ann were cherished members of the Gallaudet community and their legacy shall continue through the generosity of their family and friends. The family has established the Laura Snyder-Gardner & Mary Ann Gardner Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance for undergraduate students attending Gallaudet who graduated from the Model Secondary School for the Deaf... Read more: https://giving.gallaudet.edu/gardnerfund
Bonita Leek and her son Rocco Leo Gaglioti, sat on the board of Miss & Mister Deaf with Snyder-Gardner, an organization aimed toward promoting Deaf people worldwide...
The colors were bright and positive and radiated energy, exactly how those who loved them remembered the mother and daughter, who died last week in a Falls Church house fire.
Friends, family members and faculty turned into a sea of pink and yellow Mary Ann’s favorite colors as they gathered at Gallaudet University in Northeast Washington.
Capt. William Moreland, a spokesman with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, said firefighters were called to the home in the 3100 block of Manor Rd. The entire single-level ranch-style home was completely engulfed when crews arrived.
Moreland said they will release the identities of the victims once family has been notified.
Laura Snyder-Gardner and Mary Ann Gardner Scholarship Fund.
Thank you for considering a gift in memory of Laura Snyder-Gardner & Mary Ann Gardner. Laura and Mary Ann were cherished members of the Gallaudet community and their legacy shall continue through the generosity of their family and friends. The family has established the Laura Snyder-Gardner & Mary Ann Gardner Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance for undergraduate students attending Gallaudet who graduated from the Model Secondary School for the Deaf... Read more: https://giving.gallaudet.edu/gardnerfund
Video: Audism at Gallaudet University in American Sign Language.
Out of the entire world, within the walls of Gallaudet University Deaf Space. Profound Audism occurred. SimComm destroys both ASL and English. Audism also destroys respect for Deaf people and their Deaf World especially at Gallaudet University.
I experienced profound Audism in Gallaudet University out of all places in the world. A place where the environment is safe for all Deaf people. This intrusion of SimComm and voicing is very irritating. I was not even angry at all at first. I wanted to give positive exposure to the fact it's not a good manner and that it is very disrespectful to Deaf people in general when hearing people SimComm, talking with the voice, using cell phones, etc.
I was hoping for dialogue and discussion to bring better understanding, respect and knowledge, but instead, this hearing student who claim to be a Coda got up and yelled at me with such profound venom, disrespect and hate. Such display of profound oppression has left me shocked and loss of words and thoughts. It even affected my friends at the table.
What hurts me more is that there are other Deaf people there who agreed with me, but sat and did nothing to stand up against Audism. I was even more shocked with the level of apathy. Are we so oppressed and thinking it's so difficult to fight it and we give up and just succumb to it?
I need your help to put an end to Audism from hearing students and put an end to apathy of Deaf people or their lack of courage to stand up for ASL and Deaf World.
My vlog is not an attempt to degrade or belittle other people most especially the hearing group/Coda I was referring about. My point was to bring this up to discussion and to raise awareness of Audism and acknowledgement of Deaf Space at Gallaudet University.
Please remain respectful and civil to each other in hopes we all meet together in harmony and mutual respect. Finally, I truly want to thank those who have shown support and encouragement. Thank you. Shane.
Chanting, “You don’t need permission to sign a petition,” members of the faith community held signs and marched near the Gallaudet main gate.
The university placed McCaskill on administrative leave after it found that she signed a petition to put the Question 6 referendum on Maryland’s November ballot. If successful, Question 6 would allow gay and lesbian couples equal rights under Maryland’s civil marriage laws. But the protesters say that the underlying premise of Question 6 equality and fairness is the reason why Dr. McCaskill should be reinstated... Read more http://www.examiner.com/article/protesters-demand-gallaudet-reinstates-dr-angela-mccaskill?cid=rss
Anti-gay campaigners using Deaf woman’s story against her will.
A suspended diversity officer at a Maryland university for the Deaf has asked anti-same-sex marriage campaigners in the state to stop using her story but they have refused.
A Deaf woman who was suspended from being a university diversity officer after signing a petition against same-sex marriage has asked opponents in her home state of Maryland to stop using her story in campaign ads, saying they misrepresent what she believes.
Gallaudet University Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Angela McCaskill was suspended from her role at the university, which specializes in educating Deaf students, after a co-worker noticed she had signed the petition.
‘I have placed Dr. Angela McCaskill on paid administrative leave effective immediately,’ Gallaudet University President T. Alan Hurwitz said in a statement earlier this month.
‘Dr. McCaskill has participated in a legislative initiative that some feel is inappropriate for an individual serving as [the university's] Chief Diversity Officer.’
However McCaskill held a press conference on Friday asking for the group to stop using her image and story in the commercials - which she says misrepresents what she believes in.
‘No one has the right to decide what my signature meant,’ McCaskill told a press conference via sign language.
Gallaudet University has called for the group to stop using its copyrighted material in the campaign but the Maryland Marriage Alliance told CBS Baltimore it has no plans to change the commercial.
Angela McCaskill sat down exclusively with ABC7’s Mike Conneen at her home in Upper Marlboro to respond to criticism for inking the petition.
“Signing that petition is a right that I have as a citizen of the state of Maryland. It simply means that I want to see this very sensitive issue put on the ballot as a referendum in the state of Maryland,” McCaskill said.
Video clips of Dr. Angela McCaskill - Press Conference.
ANNAPOLIS, MD. - Dr. Angela McCaskill speaks out on bullying by Gallaudet University president. So far, the best argument for protecting marriage may be sitting in the President's office of Gallaudet University. There, voters got a unique view of the real-life persecution that awaits anyone who opposes Maryland's same-sex marriage. Last week, when Gallaudet's Dr. Angela McCaskill was outed for signing a Petition in favor of a public vote on marriage, she was exiled from the University she called home for 23 years. Now, instead of sitting in her office helping students, she's meeting with attorneys, trying to come to grips with President T. Alan Hurwitz's decision to banish her from campus. Calling McCaskill's actions "inappropriate," Hurwitz is putting a face on the intolerance that FRC and other marriage advocates have warned about for years.
By all reports, his ruthlessness is already taking its toll. According to her pastor, Rev. Dr. Lee Washington, Dr. McCaskill and her family have been the targets of threats and intimidation ever since the story broke. "As her church family, we stand firmly by her side and welcome all persons of good faith regardless of their ideological views to denounce these actions of cowardice and bullying." Even the The Washington Post warns that Gallaudet's overreaction could seriously "undermine" the effort to redefine marriage. "The surest way to repel voters--and to vitiate the marriage movement's broader goals and values--would be to say, or even seem to say, 'Agree with us or else.'"
Unfortunately, that's always been the underlying, totalitarian message of the homosexual movement. The only difference here is that Maryland voters have been warned: public dissent will not be tolerated. Not surprisingly, liberals are racing to cover up Gallaudet's mess, insisting that they believe in free speech as much as the next guy. Tell that to the wedding cake bakers, the T-shirt makers, the bed and breakfast owners, the military chaplains, the high school teachers, the restaurant owners, the photographers, the churches, the Massachusetts parents, and others who were fired, sued, harassed, fined, and suspended. Like Angela, their biggest crime was having an opinion contrary to the radical Left--something one former FRCer knows a lot about.
When Teresa Wagner left Family Research Council, she had plenty of offers to join university faculties and teach law. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Wagner joined the staff as a part-time associate director of its legal writing program. She also applied to be a full-time teacher at the law school, but her application was mysterious denied. It wasn't for lack of experience, since Teresa was the most qualified candidate. Nor was it for lack of legal expertise, since the person offered the position "had never practiced law, had no legal publications, and had no prior successful teaching experience." It was because of her work in the pro-family movement. As seen on article Lawsuit Pits Political Activism Against Campus Diversity.
Teresa will try to prove as much in federal court, where her appeal kicks off today. Although people have sued for discrimination in hiring decisions, experts say Teresa's case is the first of its kind. Unlike other plaintiffs, she has evidence. Like Angela McCaskill, Teresa Wagner belongs at the University. Until then, both women are giving students a serious education in political bias. For more on Dr. Angela McCaskill's case, If you haven't signed FRC's petition, join the more than 50,000 who have called for her reinstatement. go to http://bit.ly/PAyirq
ANNAPOLIS, MD. - Gallaudet Official's Lawyer Speaks About Petition. An attorney for Gallaudet University's chief diversity officer who has been placed on leave for signing a petition to put Maryland's same-sex marriage law on the ballot says she only signed it so the issue could be decided by the democratic process.
The Washington Post - Dr. Angela McCaskill addresses a news conference about being put on leave from her job after signing a petition to put Maryland's same-sex marriage law on the ballot for voters to decide. She is asking to be reinstated to her position.
Gallaudet University’s embattled chief diversity officer said she wasn’t taking an anti-gay stance when she signed a Petition advocating for Maryland's same-sex marriage law to be put to a vote. Instead, Angela McCaskill says she was joining 200,000 others in standing up for the rights of voters to make decisions at the ballot box.
ANNAPOLIS MD. - Gallaudet University Put Dr. Angela McCaskill for Opposing Gay - Question 6 Doesn't.
Dr. Angela McCaskill has worked on the campus of an American college for the Deaf and hard of hearing for over 20 years. If the marketplace of ideas and freedom of expression is not prized in that environment, how can we ever expect it to survive elsewhere if same-sex marriage activists prevail?
Gallaudet University is catching a fair bit of criticism after the federally-chartered college placed Dr. Angela McCaskill, its chief diversity officer, on paid leave. The decision was made after it came to officials’ attention that the administrator reportedly supported a controversial referendum that challenges Maryland’s same-sex marriage law.
WASHINGTON - (ABC7) - The Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at Gallaudet University has been placed on paid administrative leave, after allegedly signing a Maryland referendum petition opposing same sex marriage.
"I want to inform the community that I have placed Dr. Angela McCaskill on paid administrative leave effective immediately. It recently came to my attention that Dr. McCaskill has participated in a legislative initiative that some feel is inappropriate for an individual serving as Chief Diversity Officer; however, other individuals feel differently. I will use the extended time while she is on administrative leave to determine the appropriate next steps taking into consideration the duties of this position at the university. In the meantime an interim Chief Diversity Officer will be announced in the near future."
The Washington Post - Gallaudet diversity officer on paid leave after signing petition on same-sex marriage law.
Gallaudet University’s chief diversity officer was placed on paid leave on Wednesday after school officials learned that she signed a petition challenging a new same-sex marriage law in Maryland.
Angela McCaskill, who has worked for more than 20 years at the university for the deaf and hard of hearing, was among more than 200,000 Maryland residents to sign a petition seeking a referendum vote on the measure. The petition succeeded, and enactment of the law was put on hold pending the outcome of the referendum in November.
Jordan approved of campus lockdown in 1988 video in captioned.
A documentary about Gallaudet in this interview from 1998, Irving King Jordan says he supports the idea of a campus lockdown and he supports the idea of the Deaf community overruling the Gallaudet Board of Trustees.
Video for the National Association for the Deaf in captioned.
A project created for my Strategic Presentations class at Rutgers University. Thank you to all those we interviewed. Stock footage and sound given credit at end of video. Music: Remember Me as a Time of Day - Explosions in the Sky.
