Deaf President Now (DPN) refers to a historic 1988 student-led protest at Gallaudet University—the world’s only university specifically for Deaf and hard of hearing students. When a hearing candidate was selected over qualified Deaf finalists, students, faculty, and community members launched an eight-day protest, shutting down the campus and issuing specific demands. The peaceful movement resulted in the appointment of Dr. I. King Jordan as Gallaudet’s first Deaf president. Widely recognized as a watershed moment in Deaf history, DPN amplified calls for Deaf leadership, authentic representation, self-determination, and respect for Deaf culture and language across education, government, and society.
Glossary Term