Add This to the Digital Library Website - Special Thanks to Anne Leahy and Doug Stringham

Anne Leahy & Doug Stringham, Deaf LDS History Researchers

We, the Utah Deaf community wish to introduce our long-time and well-known Deaf LDS History researchers, Anne Leahy and Doug Stringham. They have done their extensive research on the history of Deaf LDS Church and early history of the Utah School for the Deaf.

Doug and Anne have formally co-researched, written, and presented on various topics in Deaf Latter-day Saint history since 2009. During their talks, they take turns presenting and interpreting, but every talk is an equal collaboration no matter who is speaking or signing. A list of their presentations and current research can be found at http://history.deaflds.org.

Anne Leahy has been a full-time American Sign Language interpreter, mentor and evaluator since 1992, working in government, business, education, healthcare, and many other settings all over the United States. She is also a genealogist, disability and Deaf history researcher, writer, and presenter. Her current focus is Utah and Latter-day Saint Deaf history in the 19th century; other projects include collaborations with LDS scholars from various domains concerning the question of disability within the LDS Church. Her contact information is found in the website: http://independent.academia.edu/AnnELeahy/Talks

Doug Stringham has been an adjunct instructor at Utah Valley University in the ASL & Deaf Studies Department since 1995 and teaches classes in interpreter education and preparation. His main areas of research interest are in interpreter education, 19th century Deaf history, the history and etymology of signed languages, visual and graphical representations of signed languages, and enhancing teaching opportunities with technology. Since 1992, Doug has also been a private-practice American Sign Language interpreter, community advocate, evaluator, rater, mentor, and workshop presenter who works throughout the metropolitan Wasatch Front in education, medical, religious, social service, and conference settings.

Doug can be contacted at [email protected].

The Deaf community in the State of Utah is very fortunate to have these wonderful researchers who have brought their expertise in their respective fields, as well as their passion for giving this gift to the Deaf community. After all, they deserve recognition for all of their hard work rediscovering the Utah Deaf heritage.

Anne and Doug wish to acknowledge to the ASL community there are many Deaf lay historians and Hearing family members whose work came before them -- some are gone and some are still with us. In order to recognize the community’s contribution, they post the names of a growing list of people who have helped them on their Acknowledgements slide after every presentation. Anne and Doug could not have done it without them. They emphasize that if any Deaf instructor, community leader, researcher, student, or lay scholar wishes to use their data, or if you are interested in obtaining copies of their work, please contact them. They will be happy to share what they can and help you tell the story of historical Deaf Utahns and LDS members.

Jodi B. Kinner