Bid "D" Deaf v. Little "d" deaf

Little "d" deaf

"deafness" is a disability/handicap Diagnosed (like a disease): Referred to as a communication disorder Treated (like an illness): Ex. Hearing aids, speech therapy, oral methods To be deaf is looked down upon, viewed as someone to be pitied if you are deaf.

How Did Deaf Culture Develop?

A common language, usually ASL. Similar learning and life experiences. Friends and other contacts within the community. - At school, work, clubs and other community gatherings. Deaf culture provides: Personal identity. Sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Freedom of expression. Source of strength and compassion.

Little "d" deaf views of the Deaf community

A group of people "whose hearing loss interferes with the normal reception of speech." (www.signmedia.com) Believe that deaf people have learning disabilities due to their hearing loss. Deaf people are not "normal" because they cannot hear

Two Views of Deafness 1

Another view is using Deaf. This is a social/cultural view and shows an affiliation with the Deaf Culture

What Can Deaf People Do?

Anything and everything. There are silent movies for entertainment, deaf actors/actresses, traveling theater groups: Marlee Matlin - Children of a Lesser God, Dancing with the Stars National Theatre of the Deaf

What is Audism?

Audism is the notion that one is superior based on one's ability to hear or behave in the manner of one who hears. An audist is someone who is prejudice against deaf people.

What does it mean to be Deaf?

Big "D" Deaf is a cultural perspective of deafness. To be Deaf means you do not view your deafness as an impairment or something that must be fixed: It is viewed as a separate culture, sharing a sense of community and a similar language.

What Can Deaf People Do? (1)

Deaf Clubs: Social activities, fundraising, political activities. Community Service Organizations" - Hiring and scheduling interpreters, providing mental health and other services not adequately provided in the "hearing" community. - Link between Deaf people and those who do not speak ASL

Big "D" Deaf

Deaf people are not flawed. Their handicap only arises when they must interact with people who do not sign. - Same as other people who speak other languages - What if you were placed in a Deaf community - who has the "handicap"

Examples of Audism

Denying deaf persons jobs, services, insurance, and other basic rights. Prejudice or discrimination against Deaf people. Serious attitudinal barriers in the expectations and behaviors of employers, educators and service providers (such as interpreters), regarding the capabilities of Deaf persons. Different treatment when interpreting and relaying information for Deaf and hearing.

How is Deaf Culture Passed Thru Generations

From Deaf adults to Deaf children: In residential schools for the Deaf. From Deaf parents to their children. From children of Deaf parents to other Deaf children.

Strategies for Communicating

If you are in a situation with a Deaf person, how do you communicate? Writing Gestures Lip reading Interpreter

What is deafness?

It is a medical condition in which an individual loses the ability to hear. It can be congenital or acquired.

Audism has also lead to:

Lack of knowledge An unwillingness to learn Limited relationships with deaf people Fear in the hearing society

Audist Views

Language makes us human and different from any other species on the planet. Language = Speech Therefore intelligence and success is judged based on their language ability of the hearing culture.

What Does it Mean to be Deaf? (1)

Members of the Deaf community: Understand that deafness is not a disability. Are proud to be Deaf. Use American Sign Language to visually communicate. Associate with other Deaf people. Are involved in the Deaf world. Belong to and interact in Deaf groups.

Big "D" Deaf Customs

Most Deaf people marry other Deaf people within their community: Generally these couples want to have Deaf children as well...Why? Getting attention: Flashing the lights, waving of a hand. Saying excuse me when walking between two people signing

What Can Deaf People Do?(3)

National Association of the Deaf (NAD): Represent the social, legal, and political needs of the Deaf community. Chicago Institute for the Moving Image (CIMI): Films made by Deaf filmmakers Supports Deaf people in the media

Two Views of Deafness

One view uses "deaf, hard of hearing, and/or hearing impaired". This view devalues the Deaf community and its mindset, values, language, and overall culture

Little "d" deaf cont.

Professionals, including audiologists, viewed deafness as a disability or condition that must be "fixed" in the recent past. These people focus on the fact that deaf people differ from the hearing norms that the medical world is based on.

Cochlear Implants

The medical world views cochlear implants as miracle devices to "cure" hearing loss. The Deaf world viewed cochlear implants as an attack on Deaf culture and the Deaf community: NAD's official position on CI's: "Cochlear implants are not appropriate for all deaf and hard of hearing children and adults. Cochlear implantation is a technology that represents a tool to be used in some forms of communication, and not a cure for deafness. Cochlear implants provide sensitive hearing, but do not, by themselves, impart the ability to understand spoken language through listening alone."

What does it mean to be Deaf? 1

There are many Deaf communities throughout the United States and the world. - One of the most well known is Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. - Deaf President Now movement in 1988

Goals:

To break down Audism, we need to... Listen and be open to the views of Deaf Culture including: Natural process of language acquisition Natural sign language in deaf education Accessible approach to English literacy

What Can Deaf People Do? (2)

World Recreation Association for the Deaf (WRAD) and American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD) Open to hearing people as well.

What Does it Mean to be Deaf?

You belong to a community that is made up of other people who are deaf and share common experiences, language, values, and culture.

Intervention

idea that the problem must be fixed and the audiologists or other professionals know what is best for the child.

Inclusion

mainstreaming deaf students and discouraging residential schools.

Audio-Centric Model

stressing audio cues not visual cues. Genetic Screenings, "lives not worth living"

Monolingualism

using oral methods and not sign language; active denial of visual language to visually centered learners.