Twenty-five years ago, an American university saw one of the greatest student uprising in history, a protest that attracted supporters worldwide.
They weren't protesting a war or globalization or a jobless economy.
The students, faculty and alumni were holding a relatively silent protest given their circumstances.
They were protesting the fact that once again, the Board of Governors was appointing a person who could hear to the post of President of Gallaudet University, the world's only university dedicated to educating deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
The movement was called Deaf President Now, and it is seen as the most significant event in the lives of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. After the university folded its hand and appointed its first Deaf President, the mindset of people living in a silent world changed.
Suddenly, they saw possibilities for themselves.
Suddenly, they realized that they could insist upon a better future for themselves and their families.
Because of the Deaf President Now, there are CEOs of companies who are deaf or hard of hearing.
There are more schools for the deaf that teach American Sign Language.
There are also advocacy groups working to make the world better and safer for those who suffer from hearing loss.
But it's a tough road and there is so much more to do.
Deaf children are still being educated in classrooms where they are set up for failure.
People are still dying because governments will not push the building industry to install visual smoke alarms.
Only now, 25 years later, is the Government of Canada, through the CRTC making available emergency 911 texting for deaf or hard of hearing individuals.
On the anniversary of Deaf President Now, it's time to reflect and move forward.
If only by inches.
Congratulations, one and all.
They weren't protesting a war or globalization or a jobless economy.
The students, faculty and alumni were holding a relatively silent protest given their circumstances.
They were protesting the fact that once again, the Board of Governors was appointing a person who could hear to the post of President of Gallaudet University, the world's only university dedicated to educating deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
The movement was called Deaf President Now, and it is seen as the most significant event in the lives of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. After the university folded its hand and appointed its first Deaf President, the mindset of people living in a silent world changed.
Suddenly, they saw possibilities for themselves.
Suddenly, they realized that they could insist upon a better future for themselves and their families.
Because of the Deaf President Now, there are CEOs of companies who are deaf or hard of hearing.
There are more schools for the deaf that teach American Sign Language.
There are also advocacy groups working to make the world better and safer for those who suffer from hearing loss.
But it's a tough road and there is so much more to do.
Deaf children are still being educated in classrooms where they are set up for failure.
People are still dying because governments will not push the building industry to install visual smoke alarms.
Only now, 25 years later, is the Government of Canada, through the CRTC making available emergency 911 texting for deaf or hard of hearing individuals.
On the anniversary of Deaf President Now, it's time to reflect and move forward.
If only by inches.
Congratulations, one and all.
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