By: DELILAH GUTIERREZ
Staff Writer
American School for the Deaf located in Hartford, Connecticut was opened in 1817 by Lauren Clerc and Thomas Gallaudet and it is the oldest deaf school to exist still. Physical and sexual abuse reports began in the 1950s and continued to the 1980s. These reports consisted of being locked in dark rooms, being bound by straitjackets, and being struck by objects such as belts and paddles. The allegations included former dorm supervisors, a dean, a maintenance worker, and the executive director. Most of the former staff included in the reports have died such as Edmund Boatner, the executive director from 1935- 1970. Executive director, Jeffrey Bravin, and president of the board, Catherine Burns, offered an apology to the survivors of the actions and how the school did not stop them. The investigation team questioned 81 former students, faculty and staff members. The team found over 40 credible allegations. More people came forward and claimed to have been punched and struck by sticks, belts, and paddles. Some students described being restrained by belts, sheets, and straitjackets. Others reported being forced to walk on their knees and eating until they threw up.