Key words: Curriculum Materials, Deaf Culture, K-12
Submitted by: Tamara Roach
Task: The purpose of this presentation is to introduce and give some understanding of deaf culture. Deaf culture is a way of life for many people. We feel that this culture can be best explained by thoughts and feelings of some members of this culture.
Resources: Donlick, Edward (1993). Deafness as culture. The Atlantic, 272(3), 37-53.
Information:
More than likely if a child is born deaf to Deaf parent, at birth that child has entered the Deaf culture. This culture is a way of life just as the Hispanic culture or Chinese culture. Each of these cultures has its own language, customs, and way of life that each of its members lives by and believes in. Because of this cultural identity that the members of the culture associate with then the members would not want to leave that culture or have that identity taken away or changed. It is for this reason that the members of the Deaf culture when asked if they would like to be hearing if given the chance they would emphatically answer, "no."
The members of the Deaf culture have had to struggle for their identity and therefore are very strong in their beliefs and fight for their rights.
Insights: I understand that the deaf culture has had to fight for an identity but why can't they be more open to those who would like to learn some of what it is like to be a member of that culture?
Questions:
Are there any resources written by Deaf individuals about their culture other than Deaf Heritage?
Are there any activities what are held in the area by members of the Deaf culture that hearing individuals are welcome to attend?
Bibliography: Gannon, Jack. Deaf Heritage.
Uploaded by: Melissa Close/Kent State University/Deaf Education Major