DEAF FOLKLIFE PROJECT

The Deaf Folklife Project is a dedicated initiative to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of Deaf communities through a comprehensive collection of historical resources. It focuses on archiving home movies, photographs, books, and other artifacts that capture the signed stories, traditions, and daily experiences of Deaf life, serving as a time capsule for future generations.

  • The project’s mission is to connect past, present, and future by fostering collaboration among the Deaf community, researchers, historians, educators, professionals, families, and students, encouraging contributions to build a shared cultural legacy.

  • Its objective is to ensure these narratives endure, providing an accessible platform for education, research, and community engagement while honoring the vibrant spirit of Deaf folklife.

OUR TEAM

Matt Malzkuhn, Ph.D

Assistant Professor, Towson University

Research Consultant, Georgetown University

  • Dr. Malzkuhn is an Assistant Professor of Deaf Studies at Towson University and a research consultant for the Sign Language Research Laboratory at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He also is an entrepreneur who has developed online resources related to Deaf Culture and American Sign Language.

Ted Supalla, Ph.D

Professor, Georgetown University

Director, Sign Language Research Lab

  • Dr. Supalla is a Professor of Neurology at Georgetown University. He is also the Director of the Sign Language Research lab. He is the co-author of Sign Language Archaeology: Understanding Historical Roots of American Sign Language. He also produced a documentary film on a Deaf filmmaker who recorded Deaf culture from 1925 to the 1940s.