7 Inspiring Deaf Americans

Historically, deaf people have been pretty much ignored by the hearing community. The general feeling has been, “They’re just too difficult to communicate with, so why bother?” However, throughout history, many deaf people have made a name for themselves, and in spite of their hearing impairment, they have stood out and contributed their skills for the greater good. Below you’ll find seven deaf Americans who have inspired millions of people and contributed enormously to the betterment of society.

Laurent Clerc (1765-1869)- Also known as “The Apostle of the Deaf in America,” Clerc was recruited by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet to come to the United States and co-found the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817. Due to Clerc’s work, we have American Sign Language (ASL).

Thomas Edison (1847-1931)- No individual is more responsible for creating our modern world than Thomas Alva Edison. By the age of fourteen he was near deaf due to a bout with Scarlet Fever as a toddler and a box in the ears from an irate train conductor during his early teens. Edison is responsible for inventing the light bulb, phonograph, and moving pictures. To hear sounds coming from one of his inventions he would chomp into the wood and absorb the sound waves into his skull.

Juliette Low (1860-1927)- Known as the founder of the Girl Scout movement, Low was inspired by a meeting with Lord Baden Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts in England. She became enamored working with children and helping them become leaders. Low did not let her deafness define her, but took it in stride as part of her life and went on to make history.

Helen Keller (1880-1968)- When only nineteen months old, a virus took Keller’s hearing and sight. Through the efforts of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, she learned to read signs felt in her hand. She also learned to lip read with her fingers and to talk. In 1904 she graduated from Radcliffe College with a BA degree. Keller went on to write four autobiographies, became a renowned educator, humanitarian, and co-founder of the ACLU. She once said, “Blindness cuts us off from things, but deafness cuts us off from people.”

Marlee Matlin (1965- )- At eighteen months of age Matlin lost her hearing to a high fever. When she was 21 she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for “Children of a Lesser God.” To date, she is the only deaf performer to have won an academy award. Matlin has also authored four books including Deaf Child Crossing and Nobody’s Perfect.

Deanne Bray-Kostur (1971- )- Most recognized for her lead role in Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, Bray-Kostur was the first deaf person to star in a television role. In addition to acting, she teaches ASL and was this writer’s level two ASL instructor along with her husband, Troy Kostur.

Derrick Coleman (1990- )- A fullback and American football free agent, Coleman played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. He lost his hearing at the age of three and is the first legally deaf offensive player in the NFL.

The next time you meet a deaf or hard-of-hearing person, sit down in a quite room, speak slowly while looking into their eyes and get to know that person. If you know a little ASL, use it. Your knowledge is always appreciated. And you never know. You’ll probably learn something or become inspired to tackle a new project.