Through Deaf Eyes

THROUGH DEAF EYES explores almost 200 years of Deaf life in American and presents a broad range of perspectives on what it means to be deaf. The film is propelled by the stories of people, both eminent and ordinary, and sheds light on events that have shaped Deaf lives: the creation of schools for deaf students’ the debate about American Sign Language; the campaign for a deaf-friendly telephone, the TTY; the fight for a deaf president at Gallaudet University; and some very loud rock and roll. 

Bringing a Deaf cinematic lens to the film are six artistic works by Deaf media artists. Poignant, sometimes humorous or jarring, these films draw on the artists’ own lives and cover subjects that confront not only deaf Americans, but all Americans. But the core of the film remains the larger story of a hidden and complex culture in America – a story of conflicts and prejudice that reaches the heart of what it means to be human. 

The deaf minority has seldom if ever had a voice. THROUGH DEAF EYES provides that voice, and that story, for the first time ever. 

PBS – Not Rated – Running Time: Approx. 120 Minutes – Color – CC – Subtitles