Deaf, Blind, and Deserving of a College Degree

By John Lee Clark

I am deaf and blind. I am also the author of a book of poetry, the recipient of many awards and fellowships, the editor of two poetry anthologies, the former publisher of a leading publishing house in the signing community, and the director of a nationwide telecommunications service for the deaf-blind. Yet when people learn of my accomplishments, they are most amazed not by the fact of my deaf-blindness, but rather by my lack of a college degree.

My intent is not to boast but instead