In 1880, a big meeting called the Milan Conference changed how deaf people were taught for many years. This meeting happened in Milan, Italy, and brought together people who taught deaf students from different countries .
What Happened at the Milan Conference?
At this meeting, the teachers decided to use only spoken language to teach deaf children. They said schools should not use sign language. This way of teaching is called “oralism.”
The main ideas they agreed on were:
- Speaking is better than signing for deaf people to join society.
- Using both speech and signs at the same time makes it harder to learn to speak and lip-read.
What Changed After Milan 1880?
After this decision:
- Many schools for the deaf stopped using sign language
- Deaf teachers often lost their jobs
- Students were taught to speak and lip-read instead of using signs
For many deaf people, this change was very hard. Some found it difficult to learn without sign language, and many felt they couldn’t express themselves well.
The Apology in Vancouver 2010
In July 2010, something important happened in Vancouver, Canada1. At a big meeting called the 21st International Congress on Education of the Deaf (ICED), people said sorry for what happened in Milan in 1880.
The people at this meeting:
- Rejected the decisions made in Milan in 1880
- Said they were very sorry for the harm those decisions caused
- Promised to respect all languages, including sign language, in schools for deaf children
This apology was a big moment for deaf people. It showed that people now understand that the Milan 1880 decisions were wrong and harmful.
What the Apology Means
The apology in Vancouver was important because:
- It recognized that banning sign language was wrong
- It said that sign language is a human right
- It promised to include deaf people in decisions about deaf education
Many people were very happy and excited when they heard the apology. About 750 people were there, and they cheered and clapped.
What Happens Now?
After the apology, people agreed to work together to make sure deaf children get a good education. This includes:
- Using both sign language and spoken language in schools
- Respecting deaf culture and language
- Making sure deaf people are involved in decisions about deaf education
The apology in Vancouver was a new beginning. It showed that people now understand the importance of sign language and want to work with deaf people to make education better for deaf children.