The Phyllis Harper-Bardach papers date from 1940 to 1998 and measure 18 linear inches. The papers are arranged in five series: Biography,Professional Life, Correspondence, Photographs, and Artifacts.

The Biography series primarily consists of papers relating to Harper-Bardach's education, including primary and secondary school, and her post-secondary education at Howard University and the University of Iowa. Also included in the biography section are three vitae, the most recent one dated 1985. The biography series concludes with a scrapbook that Harper-Bardach kept on her son Freeman's education. Born deaf, Freeman's educational opportunities and progress were closely monitoredby his mother.

The series, Professional Life, consists of the papers Harper-Bardach kept regarding her teaching career, her participation on state and national boards, conferences and workshops she both participated in and attended, papers she presented and had published, certificates she earned, and various notes, resources, and abstracts she collected. Of particular interest is her article "A Visible Speech Device" in the Volta Review, 1970, which gained national attention and the various presentations she made regarding parental involvementin the education of hearing impaired children. Also included in the Professional series are numerous newspaper articles written about Harper-Bardach, her achievements and appointments, and several newspaper articles that she saved pertaining to programs for the deaf. A small scrapbook contains both journal and newspaper articles that Harper-Bardach preserved.

The Correspondence series is divided into personal and professional correspondence. The bulk of the series contains professional correspondence spanning thirty years from1960-1990. Also included are thank-you letters, invitations to serve on national committees, including the National Implementation Advisory Council of the White House Conference Action Unit, andletters from parents of deaf children who had either met or heard of Harper-Bardach and her work.

Most of the photographs in the Photograph series are of Harper-Bardach working with unidentified children. Also included is a photograph of Harper-Bardach's doctoral commencement from the University of Iowa, 1980 and a photograph of Harper-Bardach with then-governor Terry Branstad, receiving the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1998.

The Artifacts include memorabilia from Harper-Bardach's days at Curtis High School in New York. They include a 1945 yearbook, her letters forsoftball and basketball, and an athletic medal. Also included is the 1973 yearbook for the Illinois School for the Deaf, which is dedicated to Harper-Bardach.