Gallaudet University was established in 1864, becoming the first American educational institution for the deaf and hard of hearing. The university is officially bilingual, with American Sign Language (ASL) and written English used throughout the educational programs. Over the years, the university has grown, adapting both its teaching methods and its spaces to the needs of its students, in turn learning from them how to counter the challenges they face and create a safer and more comfortable environment. These lessons turned into design guidelines, created to educate the architectural community about the strategies they can employ to create more accessible spaces for all.
The university's campus was designed in 1866 by Frederick Law Olmsted, famous for his design of York City's Central Park. The campus spanning 99 acres in Washington D.C. is now recognized as a part of a National Historic District, and it includes 2.5 million square feet of academic, residential, and support buildings. Through careful planning and adaptation, this space reflects the principles of accessibility and inclusivity.
