Day 29. Bridging Worlds Hearing Allies in Deaf History.

Throughout history, hearing allies have played vital roles in advancing Deaf rights, education, and accessibility. While the leadership and resilience of Deaf individuals have driven progress, hearing allies who listened, learned, and stood in solidarity have also contributed to lasting change.

Today, we honor hearing allies in Deaf history—educators, linguists, policymakers, and activists—who used their privilege to support and uplift the Deaf community.

Allies Who Made an Impact

📖 Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787–1851)

The father of Deaf education in America, Thomas Gallaudet was inspired to create a school for Deaf children after meeting Alice Cogswell, a Deaf girl who had no access to education. He traveled to Europe to learn teaching methods and brought Laurent Clerc, a Deaf educator, back to the US to co-found the American School for the Deaf (ASD) in 1817.

“Deaf people can do anything hearing people can do, except hear.”

— I King Jordan

✊ William Stokoe (1919–2000)

Before the 1960s, American Sign Language (ASL) was wrongly dismissed as mere gestures rather than a full-fledged language. Dr William Stokoe, a hearing linguist at Gallaudet University, studied ASL and proved it had its own grammar and structure. His research led to ASL being recognized as a legitimate language, transforming Deaf education and advocacy.

🎬 Watch: The Linguistic Genius of ASL, a documentary on Stokoe’s groundbreaking work.

📜 Robert Panara (1920–2014)

As a hearing CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Robert Panara became a bridge between the Deaf and hearing worlds. A poet, professor, and advocate, he helped establish the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and was instrumental in promoting Deaf literature and ASL storytelling.

📖 Read: Great Deaf Americans, by Robert Panara.

🎥 Bernard Bragg (1928–2018)

A hearing ally in entertainment, Bernard Bragg worked alongside Deaf actors to ensure authentic representation in media. He co-founded the National Theater of the Deaf, bringing Deaf performers to mainstream audiences and paving the way for Deaf actors in Hollywood.

🎭 Explore: The National Theatre of the Deaf

Why Hearing Allies Matter

While the Deaf community leads its own advocacy, hearing allies can amplify their voices, struggle for accessibility, and challenge systemic barriers. However, true allyship requires:

✅ Listening to Deaf leaders and following their guidance.
✅ Supporting Deaf organizations rather than speaking over them.
✅ Advocating for accessibility in workplaces, schools, and public spaces.
✅ Learning ASL and Deaf culture to foster deeper understanding.

Remember: The best allies center Deaf voices, not their own.

📚 Resources to Learn More

📖 Books

📚 Seeing Voices, by Oliver Sacks – A deep dive into Deaf history and language.
📚 A Place of Their Own: Creating the Deaf Community in America, by John Van Cleve & Barry Crouch – A historical account of how Deaf culture developed.

🎬 Films & Documentaries

🎬 Through Deaf Eyes – A PBS documentary covering Deaf history and its allies.
🎬 The Silent Child – A short film about a Deaf child’s struggle for communication.

Be an Ally – How You Can Support the Deaf Community Today

✅ Learn ASL – Take a class or practice with Deaf friends.
✅ Amplify Deaf voices – Share Deaf creators’ content and support Deaf businesses.
✅ Advocate for accessibility – Demand captions, interpreters, and inclusive policies.
✅ Donate to Deaf organizations – Support nonprofits working for Deaf rights.

Reflection

By recognizing and celebrating these hearing allies, we acknowledge their contributions while reaffirming that true progress happens when hearing and Deaf communities work together in solidarity.

💙 Who is a hearing ally that has inspired you?
💙 What have you done to be an ally to the Deaf community?

Join us tomorrow for our final day of celebrating Deaf History Month, as we revisit learnings from Deaf culture and the Deaf community.

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