I want to know the answer to the following question:
What was the only language many deaf people had?
All the background I'm provided with is that "Several influential people of the time, including Bell, viewed deafness as something that should be eradicated, and also believed that with resources and effort they could teach the deaf to speak and avoid the use of sign language, thus enabling their integration within the wider society from which many were often being excluded.". Is that enough to answer the question?
Answer: no