“Through Deaf Eyes” is a 2007 documentary film that explores the history and culture of the deaf community in the United States. The film features interviews with deaf individuals, as well as experts on deafness and sign language.
The film begins with a brief overview of the history of sign language, which was once banned in many schools for the deaf. This led to a loss of communication and cultural ties within the deaf community.
The film goes on to explore the experiences of deaf individuals in modern America. It highlights both the challenges and the positive aspects of being part of the deaf community.
Overall, “Through Deaf Eyes” is an informative and thought-provoking film about an often misunderstood group of people. It is sure to generate discussion and increase understanding of the deaf community. Highly recommended.
“Through Deaf Eyes,” a two-hour HDTV documentary for PBS, chronicles nearly 200 years of deaf life in the United States. The film depicts shared experiences of American history – family life, education, employment, and community connections – from the perspective of deaf citizens.
Narrated by actor Stockard Channing, the film features interviews with former Gallaudet University president Dr. I. King Jordan (pictured), actors Marlee Matlin and Bernard Bragg, as well as historians and deaf Americans with diverse viewpoints on language use technology and identity.
Through deaf eyes, we experience the fascinating stories of deaf people from all walks of life, including those who use sign language, those who lip-read or speech-read, and those who rely on cochlear implants or other assistive listening devices. We see how they communicate with hearing family members and friends, how they interact with the world around them, and how they find community and connection within the deaf community.
The film also addresses the controversial question of whether American Sign Language should be considered a foreign language or an indigenous American language. It includes expert perspectives on this issue from linguists, historians, educators, and members of the deaf community.
Overall, “Through Deaf Eyes” is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of deaf culture and the deaf experience in America. It is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in American history, culture, or disability issues.”
Through the eyes of Deaf people, the film tells the tale of life in America for deaf persons – a story of conflict, prejudice, and affirmation that reaches to the heart of what it means to be human. “Through Deaf Eyes” will premiere on Wednesday, May 3 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS.
The documentary tells the stories of several Deaf people, from different walks of life. We learn about their experiences, both good and bad, with the hearing world. For example, one woman tells of how her hearing parents refused to sign with her, saying that it would make her dumber. As a result, she grew up feeling isolated from both the hearing and Deaf worlds.
On the other hand, we also see how some deaf people have been able to thrive and find acceptance. One man talks about how he was finally able to find a community when he moved to a city with a large deaf population. He learned sign language and found friends who understood him.
“Through Deaf Eyes” is an important film that sheds light on the challenges faced by deaf people in America. It is eye-opening and thought-provoking, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.
“Through Deaf Eyes” chronicles the development of deaf education from its origins in 1817, with the creation of the first school for the deaf in Washington, D.C., to its foundation as Gallaudet University in 1864, the only institution that allowed deaf people to receive a college degree in a signing environment. The late-20th-century “mainstreaming” movement is also addressed.
It looks at the creation of American Sign Language (ASL) and its use in deaf education. It also examines the controversy surrounding cochlear implants, which some see as a way to “cure” deafness but which many in the deaf community consider an assault on their culture.
The film profiles several successful deaf people, including I. King Jordan, the first deaf president of Gallaudet University; Lou Ann Walker, author of “A Loss for Words: The Story of Deafness in a Family”; and Hank Greene, an ASL professor and storyteller.
Through these stories and others, “Through Deaf Eyes” conveys the rich history and vibrant culture of the deaf community.”
Alexander Graham Bell maintained that deaf children should be taught using a pure oral method, without signs. According to Bell, deaf people should not teach their own kids because they would introduce sign language and could not instruct during speech classes. Bell’s theories were widely accepted.
In the 1880s, a residential school for the deaf was established in Washington, D.C., which used only an oral method of instruction. The use of sign language was banned.
Conditions at the residential school were poor. Deaf students were routinely punished for using sign language. Many students became depressed and some even committed suicide.
In the early 1900s, a new movement began to develop that advocated for the use of sign language in deaf education. This movement was started by deaf people themselves, who felt that they had been mistreated and misunderstood under the oralist methods of instruction.
The use of sign language in deaf education is now widely accepted, and research has shown that it is an effective method of instruction.
Bell studied eugenics, the study of improving a species. In 1884, he warned that a “deaf race” was emerging and that the number of Deaf clubs, churches, schools, and social gatherings was growing. Bell advised against marriage between deaf people and offered suggestions for preventing connections between individuals who are deaf.
Luckily, times have changed and the Deaf community is no longer seen as a threat to the “normal” population. In fact, there is a growing appreciation for sign language and deaf culture. For example, the 2010 film Through Deaf Eyes tells the story of deaf people in America from early settlement to present day.
The film includes interviews with dozens of deaf individuals, who share their experiences of living in a hearing world. It also dispels many myths about deafness, such as the idea that deaf people are unintelligent or incapable of leading successful lives.
Through Deaf Eyes is an important film for anyone interested in learning more about deaf culture or signing. It’s also a great way to better understand the challenges faced by deaf people on a daily basis.
In one of the most dramatic and uplifting episodes in “Through Deaf Eyes,” students, faculty, staff, and alumni at Gallaudet University protest the appointment of a hearing president in 1988. Dr. I. King Jordan is named as the school’s new president in what was a galvanizing moment for Deaf culture after the demonstrators’ demands were met with success.
“Through Deaf Eyes” is an important and eye-opening documentary that chronicles the experiences of deaf people in America throughout history. The film features interviews with a variety of deaf individuals, from those who were born into deaf families to those who lost their hearing later in life. These personal stories paint a picture of the challenges and triumphs experienced by the deaf community, and offer a unique insight into the culture and language of this often misunderstood group of people.
While “Through Deaf Eyes” does an excellent job of educating its viewers on the subject of deafness, it also serves as an inspiring call to action for those who are passionate about equal rights for all. The film is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it, and it is sure to spark important conversations about the deaf community and its place in society.
