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Media Accessibility Information, Guidelines and Research

Deaf History Resources

Take our Captioning History Quiz

Deaf History Resources from the Described and Captioned Media Membership-Based Collection

Teachers, parents, and other adults working in some educational capacity with a K–12 student (or students) who is deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind are invited to register for a free DCMP account. Media is available instantly from our website, and can often be mailed to you on DVD.

Here are some of the deaf history resources available from our free-loan collection:

  • American Deaf Culture

    Provides an understanding of what is involved within cultures, specifically Deaf culture. Provides an overview of characteristics of cultures and their applications to Deaf culture. Covers interpreting for ASL students, parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, educators and professionals who work with these children, and anyone who is interested in learning about and understanding Deaf Culture.

  • Class of ’52

    As the time of segregation came to an end in the 1950s, children who were African American had to fight for their civil rights alongside adults. Students who were both deaf and African American during this time faced even more significant challenges. Provides an overview of the integration that took place during this decade at the Kendall School, which is now a day school affiliated with Gallaudet University, as well as a background of the students and adults involved.

  • Deaf Mosaic #1001

    Topics of this episode of the Emmy–winning TV series, filmed in 1994, include: closed-captioning availability; TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages); deaf entrepreneur Joel Barrish; deaf veteran Don Warren and veteran's rights; Swedish Sign Language scholar Lars Wallen; and President Clinton’s address to the Gallaudet University Class of 1994 commencement. Hosted by Mary Lou Novitsky and Gil Eastman.

  • Deaf Mosaic #1003

    Topics of this episode of the Emmy–winning TV series, filmed in 1994, include: Sara Pelletier, a deaf businesswoman who operates a resort in North Carolina; deaf bowhunters who hone their skills in archery competitions; a summer day in the life of a deaf child and her family; deaf artists involved in London's theatre and arts scene; and deaf farmer Rudy Moeller. Hosted by Mary Lou Novitsky and Gil Eastman.

  • Deaf Mosaic #209

    Topics of this episode of the Emmy–winning TV series, filmed in 1986, include: an interview with former Gallaudet president Jerry Lee; the ceremony which marked Gallaudet’s transition from college to university; a profile of the Georgia School for the Deaf; and a brief segment on Melvin Ballard. Hosted by Gil Eastman.

  • Deaf Mosaic #310

    Topics of this episode of the Emmy–winning TV series, filmed in 1987, include: the National Theatre of the Deaf; deaf wildlife painter Louis Frisino; a visit to a deafness exhibit at the Capital Children’s Museum in Washington, DC; and a sketch on Alice Cogswell, T. H. Gallaudet’s first pupil. Hosted by Gil Eastman.

  • Deaf Mosaic #402

    This episode of the Emmy–winning TV series, filmed in 1988, is devoted entirely to the DEAF PRESIDENT NOW movement. Interviews with participants and leaders are included in the extensive footage shot during the protest itself, ending with shots of the celebration that capped the successful close of the DPN protest at Gallaudet. Hosted by Gil Eastman and Mary Lou Novitsky.

  • Deaf Mosaic #404

    Topics of this episode of the Emmy–winning TV series, filmed in 1988, include: a portrait of Reverend Andrew Foster; a segment on the Commission On Education of the Deaf (COED) report; and special services for deaf visitors to national tourist attractions. Hosted by Gil Eastman.

  • Deaf Mosaic #411

    Topics of this episode of the Emmy–winning TV series, filmed in 1989, focus on the performing arts, with segments on Love is Never Silent, Cagney and Lacey, and Sesame Street; dance performances by the Gallaudet dance company and Israeli dancer/teacher Amnon Damti; and rare archival footage of performances by Bernard Bragg, Gil Eastman, Howie Seago, Ed Waterstreet and other deaf performers. This episode was nominated for an Emmy. Hosted by Gil Eastman and Mary Lou Novitsky.

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Flyers

We encourage you to download and print/share our promotional flyers with others who are (or should be) interested in deaf history and captioning!

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Trivia Quiz: History of Captioning

Captioning on television, movies, and educational media has become an important element in deaf history. Though its widespread availability is a relatively recent development, there is a great volume of history with regard to captioning, both in the United States and around the world. Explore the free DCMP resources linked in conjunction with each quiz question below to learn more about the history of this vital accessibility feature.

Your Score:questions answered correctly out of/10

  1. What deaf silent films actor developed the first method of captioning of a film in 1947 (by putting captions between picture frames)? To find out, take a look at page 1 of DCMP’s Captioning Timeline Highlights.
  2. What two residential school superintendents started captioning in America through a private business called Captioned Films for the Deaf (CFD)? To find out, take a look at page 4 of Captioned Films for the Deaf.
  3. What famous movie actress served on the CFD board? To find out, take a look at page 3 of How Bird Hunting In North Carolina Saved Captioning .
  4. What U.S. Senator from Maine sponsored legislation in 1962 to authorize federal support for the captioning of educational films? To find out, take a look at page 2 of The Logic of the Motion Picture in the Classroom: Films in Schools for the Deaf (1915–1965).
  5. What was the title of the first captioned educational film? To find out, take a look at its lesson guide or watch it on our YouTube channel.
  6. How many deaf people had to be in a group to watch a captioned movie from Captioned Films for the Deaf in 1962? To find out, take a look at Organizations: National Efforts Related to Deafness.
  7. Who sold the first television closed captioning decoder, and what was it called? To find out, take a look at page 1 of Closed-Caption Television: Today and Tomorrow.
  8. In what year were the first closed-captioned TV programs broadcast on NBC, ABC, and PBS? To find out, take a look at page 5 of Captioning for Deaf People: A Historical Overview.
  9. Who is the “father of closed captioning”? To find out, take a look at this article by Shane Feldman or watch this video on the DCMP YouTube channel.
  10. In 1982, two programs were among the first to be closed captioned in real-time. What were they? To find out, take a look at page 2 of Real-Time Closed-Captioned Television as an Educational Tool.
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