Google Doodle recently honored Dorothy Miles, a significant figure in the deaf community and British Sign Language poetry, on her 93rd birthday, August 19, 2024. This recognition included digital artwork depicting her signing one of her poem’s lines, showcasing her commitment to bridging communication gaps between the deaf and hearing worlds.
Dorothy, affectionately known as Dot, was born as Dorothy Squire on August 19, 1931, in Flintshire, North Wales. Her life transformed dramatically when she contracted cerebrospinal meningitis at age eight, resulting in her permanent deafness.
Despite this challenge, Dorothy's passion for language remained unshaken. She educated herself at the Royal School for the Deaf and later earned a scholarship to Gallaudet University, the first university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, located in Washington D.C.
At Gallaudet, Dorothy's interest expanded to include the dramatic arts. She became actively involved with the newly created U.S. National Theatre of the Deaf, where she began composing poetry aimed at both hearing and non-hearing audiences.
Her innovative approach to poetry combined English with both American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL). This blending made her among the first to explore simultaneous compositions, resulting in poetry recitable seamlessly through both languages.
After establishing her literary voice, Dorothy returned to the United Kingdom in 1977. She joined the British Deaf Association (BDA), where she made significant contributions by developing the BDA dictionary and creating instructional materials for BSL tutors.
Dorothy Miles was more than just a poet; she was also known as a dynamic teacher and performer. She utilized her expressive sign language skills to deliver powerful performances, significantly impacting the cultural representation of the deaf community.
Among her most celebrated works was the play Trouble’s Just Beginning: A Play of Our Own. She authored several important texts focused on sign language education, including Gestures: Poetry in Sign Language and British Sign Language: A Beginner’s Guide.
Her contributions did not go unrecognized throughout her life. A year before her death, the Dorothy Miles Cultural Centre was inaugurated, celebrating her legacy and fostering advocacy for deaf individuals, later rebranded to Dot Sign Language.
Unfortunately, Dorothy’s life ended tragically when she died by suicide at the age of 61, after battles with depression. Her passing did not diminish the impact she made; instead, it amplified the discussions around mental health within the deaf community.
Recently, Rhyl, the town where Dorothy lived, honored her legacy by placing a commemorative plaque on her former residence. This gesture was part of celebrating remarkable women from the area, underscoring her influence and permanence within Wales’s cultural fabric.
On her birthday, Google celebrated this remarkable woman, reflecting on her dedication to inclusive communication, and reaffirming the importance of her fight for deaf rights and recognition of sign languages. "Happy birthday, Dot Miles, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to connecting the hearing and deaf worlds," the Google Doodle caption summarized.
Dot’s story not only showcases her individual achievements but also highlights the broader agenda for equality and representation within education, literature, and the arts. By sharing her life and work, we continue the conversation on accessibility for all communities.