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Our CollectionsDeaf Studies Archive
A new initiative of RIT Libraries in 2005, the Deaf Studies Archive documents RIT’s role in educating the deaf and hard of hearing in the United States. A significant archive of primary resources will document the founding and growth of NTID and highlight the contributions of individuals, both deaf and hearing, affiliated with NTID.
At this time the following collections have been acquired:
NTID Records
This growing collection includes documents surrounding the founding of NTID, documents and memorabilia from the dedication of the Lyndon B. Johnson building, photographs,
slides, publications, posters for events at NTID, newspaper clippings, and other printed records.
NTID Student Life Videotapes
The Student Life Team at NTID is dedicated to assisting
students with all aspects of life at RIT. The collection
consists of 52 videotapes from the 1990s, including
Deafvines: A College Life Soap Opera, the student produced
series PAH! Deaf TV, and various speakers brought to RIT.
Robert Panara Collection
The first deaf faculty member at NTID, Panara donated
a collection of his books, including literature, plays, mysteries,
and romances featuring deaf characters. Panara used these books
in English classes for Deaf students.
Lights On! Deaf Theatre
Founded in 1991 by a group of Deaf actors from the
Rochester community, the Theatre staged plays written
by Deaf authors with performances by Deaf actors.
This collection documents the entire history of the group and includes meeting minutes, production notes, posters, playbills, tickets, and videotapes.
Deaf Rochester Film Festival
The first festival, held in March 2005, was a rousing success. Committed to showcasing films by Deaf filmmakers and works that highlight the Deaf experience, the collection contains videotapes of all the films screened and a program.
Empire State Association for the Deaf
Founded in 1865, the Empire State Association of Deaf is the oldest state association of the Deaf. ESAD became affiliated with the National Association of the Deaf in 1941 and received its incorporation papers in 1942. The organization advocates on local and state levels for the rights of deaf and hard-of hearing citizens. This large collection of administrative documents include correspondence between board members and branch representatives, meeting minutes, financial records and convention proceedings dating from the late 1930s to the mid 1990s.
NETAC (Northeast Technical Assistance Center)
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, NETAC is located on the RIT campus. The organization provides outreach and technical assistance to postsecondary programs in the Northeast serving individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. The collection includes the newsletter and various educational materials produced NETAC.
Eugene and Inez Petersen Collection
This collection includes transcripts and videotaped
interviews from Eugene and Inez Petersen’s project to
interview "everyday Deaf people" in the United States. They intended to compile the interviews for a book, but tragically, the Petersens were killed in
a car accident before the project was finished.
Two NTID staff members took over the project, and
published the oral histories on the web. This web site forms
part of the collection and can be found at: http://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/deafhistory/
Works by Various Artists
This collection of original artworks by deaf artists includes works by NTID graduates Rita Straubhaar and Susan Dupor.
