Deaf Culture

Deaf Culture- Talk about deaf history.
Do you think deaf people can't read or write? No, Deaf people can do ANYTHING the same as hearing people do! Long time ago in 1800s, hearing people were really cruel to deaf people. Because they forced them to SPEAK. No Sign allowed. If they sign one word, people would handcuff them. Or even worse, break their fingers. There is an island in Mass. named Martha's Vineyard. 1700s-19??, the deaf people can sign and only deaf people on that island. Now there is just an island. People go there for vacation. Anyway, Helen Keller, a deaf and blind lady was born in 1880. When she was 18 months old she got sick and became deaf and blind. You know her anyway.
In 1940s, radio and TV were invented. Deaf people can't hear at all. In 1979 first time Closed Captions were on TV. In 1970 they are allowed to sign. But before 1970 they have oral school. Speak only but they can sign in dorm.
There are many deaf schools in U.S.. The first deaf school was in Connecticut. The school was named ASD, American School for the Deaf in 1820s. The deaf schools used to be Deaf and Dumb. Dumb not mean stupid because dumb mean not talk.
Deaf people can learn to write, read, talk, walk, sign, and other. Hearing people can learn sign too.
Sign Language, ASL- American Sign Language. ASL came from France. ASL have more than 1,000 signs. Many hearing and deaf babies learn sign before they speak. Most time they learn basic sign like mama, papa, milk, more, and bye. Then preschool to first grade kids learn more sign. Second grade to adult learn more sign. Mostly in middle school to adult learn advanced sign. We not use English sign because it is WRONG. It is old sign in 1900 to 1990s.
In early 1880s or 1890s, there is first hearing aids! The deaf people use it for hearing. In 1980s-1990s, hearing aids with a big battery on straps on your chest were used. Present day, the people use it too, without straps.
What Hearing Aids look like? Look at that picture.

There are many colors of ear molds like red, blue, pink, rainbow, glitter, and many others.