Benjamin James Bahan is a professor in the department of ASL and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University. Besides, he is a talented storyteller and author of children’s books. Some of his published works include My ABC Signs of Animal Friends, Sign Language Coloring Book: Educational Coloring Books for Elementary and Pre School Children (Set of 6 – Clowns, House, Opposites, Animals, Feelings, Sun). Benjamin has a number of various books and videotapes. Besides, it is interesting to mention that he often works with other authors; as a result, one of his most popular books was co-authored with Harlan Lane and Robert Hoffmeister. The book was called A Journey into the DEAF-WORLD.
However, Benjamin James Bahan is also a researcher, professor as well as a presenter on issues concerning the Deaf Studies. (Ben Bahan’s JacketFlap, n.d.)
BIOGRAPHY
Benjamin James Bahan was born and grew up in New Jersey. He attended the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf, after that in 1978 Bahan graduated from Gallaudet University with a B.S. in Biology. When he graduated, he started the researching of ASL linguistics and acquisition at The Salk Institute.
It was in 1981 when Benjamin moved to the Bay Area because he wanted together with his Gallaudet graduate mate to set up their own business. Some time later, in 1987 Benjamin got his masters at Boston University on Education of the Deaf, and stayed there because he wanted to become a faculty member and coordinator of the Deaf Studies program. According to Benjamin’s CV, during 1988-1989 he was a member of two committees: Advisory Committee for the Development of Educational Interpreting Guidelines for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Advisory Committee for the Development of Education Certification for Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Massachusetts Department of Education.
During 13-16 November, 1990 in Washington DC he was a member of the Evaluation Team, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools concerning the accreditation of Model Secondary
School for the Deaf. (http://www.gallaudet.edu/Documents/Academic/ProfileDocuments/ASL-DST-BENCV2007.pdf)
From 1990 till 1993 he was also one of the members of the Advisory Board Member concerning the development of a Bilingual-Bicultural program at the Learning Center for the Deaf, Framingham, MA. Besides, at that period of time he was also in the Personnel Committee, School of Education at Boston University.
From 1994 till 1995 he participated in the Steering Committee, Conference on Operating under the Americans with Disabilities Act: A practical approach to managing access issues at Goodwin, Procter & Hoar, Boston, MA.
In addition, from 1993 to 2000 he was a member of the Board of Trustees, The Learning Center for the Deaf, Framingham, MA.
Besides, in 1996 he got his doctorate in Applied Linguistics. Benjamin returned to Gallaudet the same year.
We can see in his CV that continued to take part in the committees, but in the Gallaudet University.
So, in 1997 he took part in three committees: 1) ARAP, President’s Office, 2) UE subcommittee on Diversity, 3) CUE subcommittee on English Literacy. That year he also participated in the Program Review, Honors Program.
The next year, 1998, was also rather intensive concerning the membership. So, Benjamin became a member of the Committee A Subcommittee on SCPI (till 2000) and of the University Faculty Senate, (till 2001, but in the year 2005 he rejoined it again and is still a member)
In 2000 he became a member of the Editorial Board, Sign Language Studies and till now he is in that organization.
In 2003 Benjamin joined the Board of Trustees, Maryland School for the Deaf, Frederick and Columbia and he is a member there till now.
It also should be said that apart from being a member of a number of the committees, Benjamin tried very hard during his studies and he even received some awards for his diligence. In July, 1998 he got the Stephen Michael Ryan Award, ASLTA, San Antonio, Texas.
In 2001 he received the Year Award of the Distinguished Faculty as he was selected by the President of Gallaudet University, Washington, DC.
Anyway, Benjamin now lives in Frederick, MD. He is married to Sue Burnes, and has two children- David and Juliana.