Deaf Studies Archive at Rochester Institute of Technology

Established in 2005 by RIT Libraries, the Deaf Studies Archive documents the history of Deaf education and Deaf culture as it relates to the presence of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) on RIT’s campus. With RIT currently celebrating 40 years of education for the deaf, the establishment of an archive devoted solely to deaf studies is a significant addition to the RIT Archives.  

The Deaf Studies Archive collects, preserves, and makes available to researchers: letters, reports, unpublished writings, personal papers, organizational records, photographs, posters, videotapes, and motion pictures of individuals and organizations affiliated with NTID. The archive features historical materials related to the legislation, construction, and presence of NTID on RIT’s campus. The main focus of the archive will be deafness, deaf education, deaf studies, deaf theater and deaf culture. The Deaf Studies Archive will serve as a primary resource for historians, researchers, faculty, students, and interested community members.

Archives Currently in the DSA

NTID Records

This growing collection includes documents surrounding the founding of NTID, documents and memorabilia from the dedication of the Lyndon B. Johnson building, photographs, slides, publications, posters for events at NTID, newspaper clippings, and other printed records.

NTID Student Life Videotapes

The Student Life Team at NTID is dedicated to assisting students with all aspects of their life at RIT. The collection consists of 52 videotapes from the 1990s, including Deafvines: A College Life Soap Opera, the student produced series PAH! Deaf TV, and various speakers brought to RIT.

Robert Panara Collection

The first deaf faculty member at NTID, Panara donated a collection of his books, including literature, plays, mysteries, and romances featuring deaf characters. He referred to these books in his English classes for deaf students.

Lights On! Deaf Theatre

Founded in 1991 by a group of deaf actors from the Rochester community, the Theatre staged plays written by deaf authors with performances by deaf actors. This collection documents the entire history of the group and includes a variety of materials, including meeting minutes, production notes, posters, playbills, tickets, and videotapes.

Deaf Rochester Film Festival

The first festival, held in March 2005, was a rousing success. Committed to showcasing films by deaf filmmakers and works that highlight the deaf experience, the collection contains videotapes of all the films screened and the official program.

Works by Various Artists

This collection of original artworks by deaf artists includes works by Rita Straubhaar and Susan Dupor. Both attended NTID.

Empire State Association for the Deaf

Founded in 1865, the Empire State Association of Deaf is the oldest state association of the Deaf. ESAD became affiliated with the National Association of the Deaf in 1941 and received its incorporation papers in 1942. The organization advocates on local and state levels for the rights of deaf and hard-of hearing citizens. This large collection of administrative documents include correspondence between board members and branch representatives, meeting minutes, financial records and convention proceedings dating from the late 1930s to the mid 1990s.

 NETAC ( Northeast Technical Assistance Center)

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, NETAC is located on the RIT campus. The organization provides outreach and technical assistance to postsecondary programs in the Northeast serving individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. The collection includes the newsletter and various educational materials produced NETAC.

Eugene and Inez Petersen Collection

This collection includes transcripts and videotaped interviews from Eugene and Inez Petersen’s project to interview “everyday deaf people” in the United States. They hoped to publish a book with the interviews. Tragically, the Petersens were killed in a car accident before the project was finished. Two NTID staff members took over the project, and published the oral histories on the web. This web site forms part of the collection and can be found at: http://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/deafhistory/

  Delta Alpha Sigma sorority materials.

Founded in 1981, DAS was the first deaf sorority on campus. The sisters dedicated themselves to social causes unique to deaf people and supported each other through social events.

Questions? Contact Becky Simmons, RIT Archivist, raswml@rit.edu