Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind: Difference between revisions
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'''Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind''' ('''AIDB''') is a state-operated education, rehabilitation and service program for deaf, blind, and multi-disabled individuals. The program, headquartered in [[Talladega]], operates the [[Alabama School for the Blind]] and [[Helen Keller School of Alabama]] boarding schools, as well as the [[E. H. Gentry Facility]] vocational training center and the [[Alabama Industries for the Blind]]. AIDB also operates regional centers in [[Birmingham]] and [[Tuscaloosa]] and 11 other cities. | '''Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind''' ('''AIDB''') is a state-operated education, rehabilitation and service program for deaf, blind, and multi-disabled individuals. The program, headquartered in [[Talladega]], operates the [[Alabama School for the Blind]] and [[Helen Keller School of Alabama]] boarding schools, as well as the [[E. H. Gentry Facility]] vocational training center and the [[Alabama Industries for the Blind]]. AIDB also operates regional centers in [[Birmingham]] and [[Tuscaloosa]] and 11 other cities. | ||
The program was founded in [[1858]] through the efforts of [[Joseph Henry Johnson]], who acquired property in Talladega and petitioned [[Governor of Alabama|Governor]] [[Andrew Moore]] and [[Alabama Superintendent of Education|Superintendent of Education]] [[William Perry]] to fund a school for the deaf. The state bought the land from Johnson in [[1860]] and appointed him as president of the institution. After the [[Civil War]], Johnson's brother-in-law, [[Reuben Asbury]], who had lost an eye in the fighting, suggested expanding the program to help the blind. The [[Alabama State Legislature]] approved the proposal in [[1870]]. The combined program, called the '''Alabama Institute for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind''', served about 70 students that year. | The program was founded in [[1858]] through the efforts of [[Joseph Henry Johnson]], who acquired property in Talladega and petitioned [[Governor of Alabama|Governor]] [[Andrew Moore]] and [[Alabama Superintendent of Education|Superintendent of Education]] [[William Perry]] to fund a school for the deaf. The state bought the land from Johnson in [[1860]] and appointed him as president of the institution. After the [[Civil War]], Johnson's brother-in-law, [[Reuben Asbury]], who had lost an eye in the fighting, suggested expanding the program to help the blind. The [[Alabama State Legislature]] approved the proposal in [[1870]]. The combined program, called the '''Alabama Institute for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind''', served about 70 students that year. Students began publishing a newspaper, ''[[The Messenger]]'' in the late 1870s. | ||
The schools | The institute was split into separate schools in [[1887]] with Johnson keeping charge of deaf students and [[Josiah Graves]] hired as president for the '''Alabama Academy for the Blind'''. | ||
In [[1892]] Graves was made principal of the newly-created '''Alabama School for Negro Deaf-Mutes''', it was expanded into the '''Alabama School for the Negro Deaf and Blind'''. | |||
The | Johnson died in [[1913]] and was succeeded as director by his son, [[Henry Johnson Jr]]. He oversaw a broadening of programs, including the first services to visually-impaired adults. The Helen Keller School opened in the late 1950s. The schools were [[desegregation|desegregated]] in the 1960s, with integration fully implemented only after [[Demetrius Newton]] filed a lawsuit on behalf of three Black girls who continued to experience unequal access in [[1967]]. | ||
The non-profit [[AIDB Foundation]] was founded in the 1980s to support the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind and its expansion statewide through its regional centers. | |||
The | |||
==Directors== | |||
[[ | * [[Joseph Henry Johnson]], 1858–1913 | ||
[[ | * [[Henry Johnson Jr]], 1913–1955 | ||
[[ | * [[Eugene McBride]], 1955– | ||
[[ | * [[Euel H. Gentry]] | ||
[[ | * [[Jack Hawkins]] | ||
[[ | * [[John Mascia]], –2023 | ||
[[ | * [[Dennis Gilliam]], 2023– | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-context-to-arc/65344268/ Suit Asks Desegregation Of School For Deaf, Blind]." (August 5, 1967) Associated Press / ''The Montgomery Advertiser'', p. 8 | |||
* Couch, Rober Hill (1983) ''Out of Silence and Darkness: The History of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, 1858-1983.'' Troy State University Press | * Couch, Rober Hill (1983) ''Out of Silence and Darkness: The History of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, 1858-1983.'' Troy State University Press | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://www.aidb.org/ Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind] website | |||
[[Category:Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind]] | |||
[[Category:1858 establishments]] | [[Category:1858 establishments]] | ||
[[Category:High schools]] | |||
Revision as of 10:13, 21 November 2023
Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is a state-operated education, rehabilitation and service program for deaf, blind, and multi-disabled individuals. The program, headquartered in Talladega, operates the Alabama School for the Blind and Helen Keller School of Alabama boarding schools, as well as the E. H. Gentry Facility vocational training center and the Alabama Industries for the Blind. AIDB also operates regional centers in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa and 11 other cities.
The program was founded in 1858 through the efforts of Joseph Henry Johnson, who acquired property in Talladega and petitioned Governor Andrew Moore and Superintendent of Education William Perry to fund a school for the deaf. The state bought the land from Johnson in 1860 and appointed him as president of the institution. After the Civil War, Johnson's brother-in-law, Reuben Asbury, who had lost an eye in the fighting, suggested expanding the program to help the blind. The Alabama State Legislature approved the proposal in 1870. The combined program, called the Alabama Institute for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind, served about 70 students that year. Students began publishing a newspaper, The Messenger in the late 1870s.
The institute was split into separate schools in 1887 with Johnson keeping charge of deaf students and Josiah Graves hired as president for the Alabama Academy for the Blind.
In 1892 Graves was made principal of the newly-created Alabama School for Negro Deaf-Mutes, it was expanded into the Alabama School for the Negro Deaf and Blind.
Johnson died in 1913 and was succeeded as director by his son, Henry Johnson Jr. He oversaw a broadening of programs, including the first services to visually-impaired adults. The Helen Keller School opened in the late 1950s. The schools were desegregated in the 1960s, with integration fully implemented only after Demetrius Newton filed a lawsuit on behalf of three Black girls who continued to experience unequal access in 1967.
The non-profit AIDB Foundation was founded in the 1980s to support the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind and its expansion statewide through its regional centers.
Directors
- Joseph Henry Johnson, 1858–1913
- Henry Johnson Jr, 1913–1955
- Eugene McBride, 1955–
- Euel H. Gentry
- Jack Hawkins
- John Mascia, –2023
- Dennis Gilliam, 2023–
References
- "Suit Asks Desegregation Of School For Deaf, Blind." (August 5, 1967) Associated Press / The Montgomery Advertiser, p. 8
- Couch, Rober Hill (1983) Out of Silence and Darkness: The History of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, 1858-1983. Troy State University Press