Black deaf students finally get degrees, 70 years after attending segregated school

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — 70 years after attending The Kendall School for the Deaf, students finally got to walk across the stage.

The school was created in the 1950s at Gallaudet University, for kindergarten through 12th grade.

It was initially segregated, but after several court battles, The Kendall School established a division for black deaf students.

However, they were still treated differently and never received diplomas.

Gallaudet University recently held a graduation ceremony for 23 black students and four black teachers.

It comes 70 years after they earned the right to graduate.

The university says it’s just one step in correcting the racial injustices it was responsible for in the past.