poop
erhaps DPN's most profound impact was felt by hearing people. Deaf people have always known that they could do whatever hearing people could do, but, until DPN, most hearing people did not agree. DPN opened their minds to this reality. At the same time, the movement was a strong reminder to deaf and hard of hearing people that they did not have to accept limitations put on them by others. Indeed, DPN instilled a deep sense of pride and accomplishment in deaf and hard of hearing people of all ages and from all walks of life. Since 1988, more and more deaf students graduating from Gallaudet and other colleges are entering professions that were previously considered off-limits to deaf and hard of hearing people.
DPN also brought about legislative and social change in the United States. In the months and years immediately following DPN, the nation saw a flurry of new bills passed and laws enacted that promoted the rights of deaf and other disabled people. In 1993, Senator Tom Harkin, a long supporter of Gallaudet University and whose brother is deaf, said that Congress passed more bills in the five years between DPN and 1993, that promoted the rights of and provided access for deaf people, than in the 216 years of the nation's existence.
For example, in 1988—just months after DPN—the Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement Act was passed, followed shortly by the Television Decoder Circuitry Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, both in 1990. The Telecommunications Enhancement Act assured that our national telecommunications system be fully accessible to deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired individuals. Specifically, this supported a nationwide Federal relay system for people who use TTYs/TDDs (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). The Television Circuitry Act of 1990 required that, as of July 1, 1993, all televisions with a screens 13 inches or greater in size be equipped with a built-in decoder chip that can display the closed-captions on
DPN also brought about legislative and social change in the United States. In the months and years immediately following DPN, the nation saw a flurry of new bills passed and laws enacted that promoted the rights of deaf and other disabled people. In 1993, Senator Tom Harkin, a long supporter of Gallaudet University and whose brother is deaf, said that Congress passed more bills in the five years between DPN and 1993, that promoted the rights of and provided access for deaf people, than in the 216 years of the nation's existence.
For example, in 1988—just months after DPN—the Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement Act was passed, followed shortly by the Television Decoder Circuitry Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, both in 1990. The Telecommunications Enhancement Act assured that our national telecommunications system be fully accessible to deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired individuals. Specifically, this supported a nationwide Federal relay system for people who use TTYs/TDDs (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). The Television Circuitry Act of 1990 required that, as of July 1, 1993, all televisions with a screens 13 inches or greater in size be equipped with a built-in decoder chip that can display the closed-captions on