Finding and Leading the Way

Pedro Ponce de Leon (1520-1584)
First teacher of the deaf who developed gestures as a means of communication

Manual Vs. Oral Education

What is Manual Communication?
Communication is through sign
language

Fathers of Manual Education

The founders of the first American school for the deaf
Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
 

Popular Types of Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL)
    * Considered broken English
* Not every word is signed
                  * Often used between two deaf people
Signed Exact English (SEE)
           * Follows the English syntax form
                                 * Often used between a deaf and hearing person
 

What is Oral Education?

Communication is through speech and lipreading
Recent technology has made oral education more successful

Father of Oral Education

Samuel Heinicke began teaching a deaf student speech by having him feel his throat.

Heinicke opened the first Oral School
for the deaf in Leipzig
Germany in 1777

Schools

Gallaudet University

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Clerc decided to open a college for deaf individuals with a Manual (Sign Language) philosophy.

The college, which is now a university was established in 1864.

Gallaudet University is still opened today in Washington D.C. and serves deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals.
 

Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) 1839

ISD services children from birth through grade twelve. 

The first year ISD opened had two enrolled students and since then has grown tremendously.