The St. Louis Park City Council passed a proclamation in April observing Deaf History Month. Deaf History Month has been observed since 1997 as a commemoration of several key moments in American Deaf history that took place within the month of April. This month brings awareness to the history, achievements and challenges within the Deaf experience in the United States. Efforts are ongoing to designate Deaf History Month as a federally recognized holiday.

To honor Deaf History Month, the City of St. Louis Park invites you to:

• Educate yourself and others about the history and experiences of the Deaf:
  • Deaf history - Sign Language, Education, Advocacy | Britannica
  • National Deaf History Month: Exploring the Record of Advocacy | The JFK Library Archives
  • History Through Deaf Eyes | National Deaf Life Museum
  • Community and Culture – Frequently Asked Questions | National Association of the Deaf
  • No Longer Deaf to the Past | History Today
• Connect with various organizations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities:
  • 40 Year Anniversary Message from Deaf, Deaf Blind & Hard of Hearing State Services | MN Commission
  • Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens
  • National Deaf Center
  • Deaf Equity Minnesota

Proclamation

The proclamation reads:

Whereas, the deaf community includes those who are born without the ability to hear and those who lose their hearing; and

Whereas, deafness is not new to humans and records of deaf individuals date back to ancient Egypt and Greece while society’s perceptions and treatment of deafness has evolved; and

Whereas, there is a rich history of deaf individuals and communities in the United States, including Gallaudet University, the world’s only liberal arts university specifically for deaf people; and

Whereas, deaf people have made great strides through advocacy and language and it is up to hearing individuals to educate and create awareness to ensure full equity and inclusion to meet the needs of our deaf neighbors, colleagues, leaders and loved ones; and

Whereas, St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in racial equity and inclusion and strives to be a place of welcoming and belonging for deaf people, their culture and language; and

Whereas, although the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides some protections for deaf people, there is much more that can be done to make employment, participation and civic life fully accessible for deaf people,

Now therefore let it be known that the mayor and city council of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, hereby proclaim April 2026 as Deaf History Month in St. Louis Park.