UC San Diego

Many Deaf people are unfamiliar with their disability rights and the purpose of this thesis is to teach Deaf students about their disability rights. This curriculum consists of three units and eight lessons. The first unit introduces students to the history of disability rights. The second unit teaches students about key disability rights affecting Deaf people. The third unit orients students on finding key disability rights information and resources.

This curriculum has three overarching goals.

1. Understand historical timelines for disability rights related to Deaf people and make connections between historical struggles for equality as it relates to everyday experiences of Deaf youth and their current rights of today

2. Demonstrate a deep appreciation for the equality that has been achieved and for their disability rights

3. Empower Deaf youth with knowledge of their disability legal rights and utilize information and resources that will support efforts to seek redress for infringement.

Based on the evidence from student presentations, timelines, journals, worksheets, skits and summative assessments, all three curriculum goals were met.