The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is launching a social media campaign recognizing ‘deaf champions’ and spotlighting iconic events during National Deaf History Month.
Those advancements include the establishment of the American School for the Deaf, President Lincoln’s signing of the Gallaudet University charter, and the ‘Deaf President Now’ movement for a deaf university president.
Executive Director Virginia Moore said the commission is making a film following five different families with deaf children. She said the goal is to share different modes of communication parents chose for their children that led to their success.
“These parents are going to be able to mentor other parents in a sharing of information so that they don’t feel alone, that they know that their children can be successful,” said Moore.
Moore said the commission plans to post the film on their website in two months. She said the commission has also worked with the producers of a film being shot in west Kentucky about the first deaf Major League Baseball player ‘Dummy’ Hoy.
In addition to increasing awareness about the deaf community’s history, Moore said the commission works to connect families with resources available to the deaf and hard of hearing.
“There is not a template on how to deal with deafness. Every person will have a different need,” said Moore. “It’s just knowing all the resources and the needs available so that you can figure out which is the best fit.”
Moore said 700,000 people are deaf or hard of hearing in Kentucky. She says 1 in 5 teenagers will experience hearing loss before the age of 25, due to listening to loud music.
National Deaf History Month runs from March 13th to April 15th.
