Special Online Issue

Many deaf people in the U.S. were active "on the home front" during the war to make sure the soldiers were well supplied with weapons and ammunition. Working 10 hours a day, seven days a week, they made bombs, bullets, planes, and tanks.

Dr. Barbara Kannapell researched the role of deaf workers during World War II for the National Association of the Deaf. Kannapell, the first deaf individual to earn a doctorate in sociolinguistics as well a member of a large Deaf family, became interested in the role of deaf workers through seeing stories about her deaf uncle Gordon Kannapell.

Deaf Soldiers
Winning Workers
On the Lookout for Deaf Workers
Raising Money
Malz & Ben—Off to Work They Went

World War II brought pain and suffering to millions of people. Many deaf people endured severe hardships above and beyond what hearing people experienced. Here are some of their stories.

Invaded! But Not Conquered
For Japanese Americans—Double Sorrow
Facing the Bomb
Suffering of Jews