American Deaf Culture

What is Deaf Culture?
Although many people consider being deaf to be a medical condition, there are many who consider it to be a cultural/linguistic identity. As Carol Padden and Tom Humphries described in their book, Deaf In America: Voices From A Culture, "we use the lowercase deaf when referring to the audiological condition of not hearing, and the uppercase Deaf when referring to a particular group of deaf people who share a language-American Sign Language (ASL) - and a culture…fewer than 10 percent are born to parents who are also Deaf. Consequently, in contrast to the situation in most cultures, the great majority of individuals within the community of Deaf people do not join it at birth."

Although members of the Deaf Community are very unique and differ in many ways, there are some general commonalities. American Sign Language (ASL) is the preferred mode of communication. There is a deep respect for Deaf history, residential schools, Deaf associations, and social ties. Again, from Padden and Humphries: "Deaf Culture is a powerful testimony to both the profound needs and the profound possibilities of human beings. Out of a striving for human language, generations of Deaf signers have fashioned a signed language rich enough to mine for poetry and storytelling. Out of a striving to interpret, to make sense of their world, they have created systems of meaning that explain how they understand their place in the world. That the culture of Deaf people has endured, despite indirect and tenuous lines of transmission and despite generations of changing social conditions, attests to the tenacity of the basic human needs for language and symbol."

Why is Deaf culture important to parents?
When we are told that our child has a hearing loss, we typically are receiving this news from hearing medical professionals. They are usually very skilled and knowledgeable about the diagnostic process and perhaps the medical interventions that a parent can pursue. However, that medical professional may have limited knowledge of Deaf Culture and may not value the option of using sign language or participating in the Deaf Community. It means that we as parents may need to look elsewhere to understand all the options before making decisions and recognize each individual's strengths and weaknesses when listening to their advice.

Trying to understand Deaf Culture can be a way to show respect for a community with a rich history. There are many stories and books written by Deaf adults who have felt cheated by not being exposed to the Deaf Community or sign language when they were growing up. Some will describe "coming alive" when first entering a residential school for the deaf, seeing sign language after being raised orally, or attending Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. (See the Family Support Connect Directory - National Organizations.) It is likely that your child will struggle with his own identity at some point. You may decide to help shape your child's identity by involving him in the Deaf community and using sign language in your home. Or you may decide not to use sign or attend Deaf events, but you may get a question one day as to why you made that decision. The choice, the decision and your answer to your child's questions are yours and yours alone.

Whether you actively involve your child in Deaf social activities, schools, or not, you will come in contact with members of the Deaf Community. Using the right terminology is important to show respect. The terms "hard of hearing" and "deaf" can be confusing to parents. As described in the National Association of the Deaf "Info to Go", "how a person 'labels' themselves in terms of their hearing loss is personal and may reflect identification with the deaf community or how their hearing loss affects their ability to communicate…'hard of hearing' can denote a person with a mild or moderate hearing loss. Or it can denote a deaf person who doesn't have/want any cultural affiliation with the Deaf community."

Because in the Deaf Community deafness is regarded to be a cultural phenomenon, rather than a disabling condition, it can be considered offensive to use the words "hearing impaired" or "disabled." The terms "deaf" or "hard of hearing" are more acceptable.

Deaf culture is also important in that many of the decisions we make as parents have a Deaf perspective. Where your child attends school, what communication choice you make, whether you choose to pursue a cochlear implant all have a Deaf Culture perspective. In weighing options for your child, it is important to know how some members in the Deaf Community view that decision so you understand the implications later on.

Benefits of the Deaf community
The Deaf Community can offer many benefits. Membership can offer improved self-esteem, sense of pride in one's history, respect and use of sign language, emphasis on one's strengths, community acceptance, and fellowship. There are many Deaf churches, Deaf political and social organizations. Knowledge of, or your child's participation in, events hosted by such organizations can provide modeling of sign language by native users, adult mentoring, and your child's feeling of support by others like himself. Many members of the Deaf Community are well informed about current technology/devices that can be of benefit in everyday life, simply because they use them often.

Arguments against exposing children to the Deaf community or sign language
There has been a passionate struggle as to what is the best communication method for a deaf child. Those who are members of the Deaf Community would argue that sign language is a child's natural language and exposing a child to a ASL will make that child's acquisition of language and academics easier. However, there is also an opposing argument made that children who are exposed to sign language will become dependent on their vision, use their residual hearing less, and would then have poorer speech.

That discussion still continues today. Knowing this, parents have the extremely difficult task of deciding what communication method is best. Who is "wrong" and who is "right" really is not the issue. What may be the more important issue is what choice seems to make sense for the child and what seems to be an appropriate choice for the family. And it is also possible to land somewhere in the middle.

Bridging the Deaf community and the hearing world
Many individuals have successfully participated in the Deaf Community, but have used their speech, cued speech, hearing aids, or cochlear implants. It is possible to move between the Deaf and Hearing worlds and find acceptance. As in any community, there are those with strong opinions, but it is possible to find individuals who will support you. You just need to look.