A world-class institute of changemakers in the deaf and signing community.
Since 1864, we have been investing in and creating resources for deaf and hard of hearing children, their families, and the professionals who work with them.
Over 50 degree programs, with online and continuing education for personal and professional development.
Innovating solutions to break down barriers, and using science to prove what does and doesn’t work.
We make it easy for you to apply and enter here.
Ready to take the next step toward a college education?
Make lasting memories and grow in ways you never thought possible.
Menu
Captioning of television and movies changed deaf life. Since 1958, deaf people had gathered in clubrooms or schools to see films, often captioned as a program of the U.S. Department of Education. As closed captioning became more available, deaf people could watch films at home, and catch the evening news along with the rest of society. Clubs were no longer needed as places to share information and enjoy entertainment. Many closed as deaf people chose other ways to stay in touch with friends.
Many technological developments have served to bring oral and signing deaf people together in common cause. For example, an array of professional, social, and political action organizations of deaf people worked together to ensure passage of the Television Decoder Circuitry Act in 1993, which required all new television sets with a screen 13 inches or larger made in the U.S.A., to incorporate closed captioning technology.
Here, "real-time" captions are displayed on the screen during a conference at Gallaudet University. The spoken word is transferred to text as captions are added to a film.
Gallaudet University Archives
Closed captioning makes it possible for deaf people to access news and entertainment programs on the television. It has also proved helpful to persons learning English as a second language.
National Captioning Institute
Deaf protesters outside the CBS headquarters in New York City want the corporation to provide closed captioning for programs. Deaf people, largely through the efforts of the National Association of the Deaf, continue to fight for increased captioning of television programs and films.
National Association of the Deaf
For 32 years, this group in Maryland has met at each other's home to watch captioned films and videos.
Courtesy of Barry Bergey
← PreviousThe Americans with Disabilities Act
Next →Cochlear Implants
Formation of a Community
Language and Identity
Community Building
Awareness, Access, and Change
Admissions Requirements
Spring 2021 – Dec 12Fall 2021 – May 15