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Wartime opportunities for women and the deaf
The right to drive: the uphill battle against motor vehicle laws
Soldier style: Some Deaf schools adopt dress code to eliminate socio-economic barriers
Since Deaf people weren’t allowed to serve in the military, they contributed to the war effort from home
Forging connections through Deaf associations
Factory Work: Jobs available to Deaf workers during World War II
Deaf Clubs and their role in Deaf social life
Akron’s “Silent Colony” – what it meant to be active and visible
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History Through Deaf Eyes
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On Screen: Public perceptions of Deaf...
Movies and television have reflected and shaped public perceptions of deaf people and other minority groups. From 1902 until 1986, according to one historian’s account, over 150 movies and network TV programs had deaf characters. Until recently, these characters were rarely played by deaf actors, nor did they accurately portray the experiences of deaf people. The typical media image of a deaf person was a lonely, dependent, uneducated, often tragic figure, seldom an independent member of a close-knit community.
Jane Wyman played a deaf character opposite Lew Ayers in the 1948 film Johnny Belinda. Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
In The Story of Esther Costello, released in 1957, Heather Sears played a deaf student and Joan Crawford her teacher. “The Story of Esther Costello” ©1957, renewed 1985 Valiant Films Inc. All Rights Reserved, Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
On Screen: Public perceptions of Deaf people and other minority groups