Founders & Firsts
First African American Deaf person to get a Bachelor's Degree from Gallaudet. Also established over 30 deaf schools in Africa.
Who is Andrew Foster?
First deaf women to win an Oscar / Academy Award.
She also sparked controversy because she spoke and did not sign.
Who is Marlee Matlin?
The first deaf Major League baseball player. Credited with creating the "signs" used in Major League Baseball today.
Who is William Ellsworth "Dummy" Hoy?
Deaf "rapper" and founder of D-PAN, the Deaf Performing Arts Network
Who is Sean Forbes?
Founded the Girl Scouts. Became deaf due to an infection caused by wedding rice.
Who is Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low?
First President of Gallaudet University with a profound hearing loss, chosen right after the Deaf President Now movement.
Who is I. King Jordan?
The actress who played Sue Thomas on "Sue Thomas, F.B. Eye".
Who is Deanne Bray?
The first deaf National Football League (NFL) player. He was in a Duracell commercial and now plays for the Arizona Cardinals.
Who is Derrick Coleman?
The Scottish Deaf percussionist who takes off her shoes to feel the vibrations.
Who is Evelyn Glennie?
The young girl who lived next door to Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet who inspired him to create ASL.
Who is Alice Cogswell?
First Deaf person to win "America's Next Top Model" and "Dancing with the Stars"
(and your teacher's imaginary boyfriend)
Who is Nyle DiMarco?
Actor on "Switched at Birth" who was also in the movies "Sandlot 2" and "Legend of the Mountain Man"
Who is Sean Berdy?
The deaf Arizona native who swam for the U of A and is hoping to compete in the Olympics. He made it to the Olympic Trials.
Who is Marcus Titus?
A Deaf actor and painter who is credited with creating the De'Via movement.
He also was in "The Legend of the Mountain Man"
Who is Chuck Baird?
French man who taught Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet French Sign Language.
With Gallaudet he created ASL and established the first school for the Deaf in the United States.
Who is Laurent Clerc?
First Deaf F.B.I. agent, she was very skilled at lip reading and had a TV show made about her experiences at the F.B.I.
Who is Sue Thomas?
The deaf actress who played "Linda the Librarian" on Sesame Street, as well as many other roles.
Who is Linda Bove?
Famous deaf boxer. He was the first boxer who was involved in a fight that resulted in a death.
Who is James "Deaf" Burke
Deaf Drummer who plays in Beethoven's Nightmare and was featured in "See What I'm Saying"
Who is Bob Hiltermann?
Founder of National Theatre of the Deaf. Also an actor and mime. He was in "And Your Name is Jonah."
Who is Bernard Bragg?
One of the first deaf-blind people to graduate from college and get a Bachelor's Degree
Who is Helen Keller?
African American comedian and playwright who was in "Baby Driver" and "See What I'm Saying".
Who is C.J. Jones?
The deaf person whose life story is told in the movie "The Hammer."
He is an NCAA champion wrestler and now fights in the UFC.
Who is Matt Hamill?
Famous German composer and pianist who became deaf around age 27.
Who is Ludwig Von Beethoven?
First Deaf Female Championship Motorcross Racer
Who is Ashley Fiolek?