Hand, Heart, and Mind: The Story of the Education of America's Deaf People

by Lou Ann Walker

The author of The Story of a Deaf Child examines the complex struggle by deaf students, from the early 1800s to the 1988 Gallaudet University student revolt, to enhance their educational opportunities.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers so much history of the deaf and their culture. I was not aware of the restrictions put on deaf people and how much they’ve had to fight to have freedoms and not be seen as inadequate or inferior.
Mind boggling now to think Augustine thought no deaf person could experience (or have) saving faith- because faith comes by hearing as Paul said in the Bible! Catholic priests would not allow the deaf to take communion because they were incapable of confessing out loud.
Deaf people were not being taught to read and write, and no one thought it important enough to write down their history so much is lost.
People trying to ‘help’ the deaf to hear went thru bizarre measures to try to get them to hear and to speak.(vinegar on the tongue for a, olive oil for ou, strong liquor for e)
Lawmakers tried to forbid the deaf from driving cars in the first half of the 20th century, even though deaf people now are shown to have better driving records than the rest of the population!
I am glad things are much better now for the deaf in so many ways but there is still a lot can be done to help the deaf.
As the first deaf president of Gallaudet has said, “deaf people can do anything—-except hear.”

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history of deafness in America, good and bad.