The Deaf President Now Movement

The Deaf President Now (DPN) movement marked a growing shift in perceptions of deaf people.

Gallaudet University, in Washington D.C., was established as a school for deaf students. The founder convinced Congress to fund the school, and it eventually became an institution for higher learning. In a nod of support, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Gallaudet diplomas. Future presidents continued the tradition, so all Gallaudet graduates receive diplomas signed by the U.S. President.

Gallaudet University grew as a center for deaf education and advocacy. In 1988, Gallaudet University was selecting a new university president. The board of trustees had well-qualified candidates, and all but one was deaf. On a Sunday, the board hastily announced they had selected the sole hearing candidate.

The reaction on campus was outrage. Students congregated to protest. Crowds marched to the meeting location and demanded an explanation. Through the closed-door discussion with protest leaders, a trustee created more discontent. He allegedly stated, "Deaf people are not able to function in a hearing world."

Throughout the week, there were more speeches and rallies. A media blitz spread the news globally. Students did not attend class to express their anger. Protest leaders formalized their demands, including a deaf president, the offending trustee must resign, the board of trustees must have 51% deaf leadership, and no reprisals against participants.

Support flowed in from across the world. The U.S. Vice President wrote, "Gallaudet has a responsibility to set an example and thus to appoint a president who is not only highly qualified, but who is also deaf."