Stories of Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Individuals with Learning Disabilities
I hope to collect personal stories of deaf and hard of hearing individuals with learning disabilities and their experience beating the odds throughout their college completion and/or career success. Their diagnosis must be official and evaluated by an evaluator. Written story and/or video (with captioned) are accepted. I can be reached via email at JodiBeckerKinner@gmail.com
I look forward to getting your story posted on the website!
In Memory of Dr. Cristina Berdichevsky
Dr. Cristina Berdichevsky
In the 1990s, Dr. Cristina Berdichevsky, a Gallaudet University professor was enthusiastic and passionate in spreading awareness of deaf and learning disabilities in the Deaf community. In 1998, she helped prepare a conference called “Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice in the Fields of Learning Disabilities and Deafness" hosted by Gallaudet University. 164 participants from around the country attended the conference. It was a success. Remarkably, she wished to spread more awareness of deaf and learning Disabilities outside of Gallaudet University campus. She gave a few more presentations at the conferences.
Dr. Berdickvesky passed away of cancer in 2014. She is sorely missed and fondly remembered by everyone who had the honor to cross her path in her life. In honor of her memory, I have included her in this website to show our appreciation for her passionate work in the fields of deaf and learning disabilities.
Dr. Berdickvesky passed away of cancer in 2014. She is sorely missed and fondly remembered by everyone who had the honor to cross her path in her life. In honor of her memory, I have included her in this website to show our appreciation for her passionate work in the fields of deaf and learning disabilities.
Dawn Watts
Photo: (From left) Student Dawn Watts discusses new testing materials with Diagnostic Services psychologist Pam Rush and educational diagnostician Cathy Beachle (Spring 1992 Gallaudet Today)
Dawn Watts, a Deaf child of Deaf parents, Gallaudet class ’92 and Interim President Ohio Citizens for Deaf Cultures just made a video sharing her experience dealing with a learning disability in writing and how her diagnosis was confirmed through a psychological evaluation process. Initially, Gallaudet University’s English Department was reluctant to give extended time for her writing exam. After the Students with Disabilities Office and psychologist met with them, the English Department agreed to allow Dawn to have the extension. She was able to pass her writing exams and was able to graduate! Enjoy watching her video!
While a student at Gallaudet, I remember reading her story in the “Spring 1992 Gallaudet Today” article entitled, “Learning Disabilities and Deafness: An Emerging Field.” According to the article, “Dawn reads well, is fluent in ASL, has excellent social comprehension, and has completed the bulk of her graduation requirements, she failed to pass an upper-level English course three times.” In 1990, after taking a psychological evaluation, she was diagnosed with a learning disability in writing. Dawn shared in her interview for the Gallaudet Today that it was bittersweet. She was happy and relieved when her learning disability was confirmed. Yet, she was angry and frustrated with the lack of understanding from people in the educational system who overlooked her learning disability. Dawn shared that “Some of the teachers looked down at her as a lazy deaf student who was looking for the easy way out, instead of a student with a legitimate concern" (Spring 1992 Gallaudet Today, p. 20).
Congratulations to Dawn for succeeding against the odds!
While a student at Gallaudet, I remember reading her story in the “Spring 1992 Gallaudet Today” article entitled, “Learning Disabilities and Deafness: An Emerging Field.” According to the article, “Dawn reads well, is fluent in ASL, has excellent social comprehension, and has completed the bulk of her graduation requirements, she failed to pass an upper-level English course three times.” In 1990, after taking a psychological evaluation, she was diagnosed with a learning disability in writing. Dawn shared in her interview for the Gallaudet Today that it was bittersweet. She was happy and relieved when her learning disability was confirmed. Yet, she was angry and frustrated with the lack of understanding from people in the educational system who overlooked her learning disability. Dawn shared that “Some of the teachers looked down at her as a lazy deaf student who was looking for the easy way out, instead of a student with a legitimate concern" (Spring 1992 Gallaudet Today, p. 20).
Congratulations to Dawn for succeeding against the odds!