Learning About Deaf Culture: More Accessible Than Previously Thought

Reviewer Perspective

Growing up, I was not even aware that Deaf culture existed. I became interested in research related to Deaf topics only 2 years ago, upon joining a lab at the University of Texas in which Deaf culture is a primary focus. As I worked in the lab, my own interest within the context of Deaf research emerged: individuals who are late-deafened. I am also working to become culturally competent. This skill is important for me to have not only in the context of the lab, but also in my entire graduate program. While my Deaf cultural competency is still developing, I look forward to my continuing work and efforts to become a culturally sensitive hearing person working in a Deaf space.

Summary

Deaf Culture: Exploring Deaf Communities in the United States is an introduction to Deaf culture in America. Its intended audience is people who are relatively new to studying Deaf culture. Each chapter discusses a different topic in Deaf culture, but links it to larger themes and concepts that are found throughout the book. Deaf culture is discussed across history—from the first American school for the Deaf to recent advances in technology. Questions, photographs, and small stories strengthen the teaching moments and help the reader make real-world connections to the concepts. The goal of the book is to show the complexity of Deaf culture in a way that is accessible to its audience.

Strengths

I believe that the authors have excelled at making this text an accessible reference for individuals, such as myself, who are beginning their studies about Deaf culture. The information is presented in an objective way, and effortlessly combines research and theory with real-world stories, photographs, and reflective questions. This combination helped me internalize the concepts the authors discuss. The text also effectively highlights Deaf culture in many contexts, such as fine arts, education, technology, the workplace, and psychology. As a school psychology student, I appreciated the depth in which the authors discuss Deaf education and learning. They provide strategies for increasing learning in a classroom for Deaf students, such as good lighting or arranging desks in a semi-circle, and I was also inspired to think about my own educational experiences. As an aspiring clinician, I can use this information to educate my clients about the importance of equal access in the classroom and how to use different learning and teaching strategies to achieve it.

Further Inquiry

While I understand that the book is intended to give its audience an overview of Deaf culture, I was left wondering what strategies the authors would suggest for a hearing individual such as myself to be an effective ally for the Deaf community. Also, the authors briefly discuss Deaf space in the book. I would have liked to see how Deaf spaces are created in many contexts so that I could have a greater understanding of how to identify and respect these spaces. The authors also discuss recent advances in classroom technology and how they contribute to equal access to information for Deaf students. I would also be interested in understanding how teachers can use this technology to help Deaf and hearing students in mainstream classrooms work together and learn from each other.

Companion Website

The student content on the companion website includes a glossary of important terms, arranged by book chapter, and a list of online resources for further readings, arranged by topic. The glossary is well organized and is a helpful reference, and the online resources provide links to further reading on topics such as “Accessibility” and “Programs to Prepare Professionals Working With Deaf People.” It is obvious that the resources were carefully selected to help the reader understand the authors’ teachings and the main objectives of the book.

Overall Impressions

This book is an excellent introduction to Deaf culture. The discussion of Deaf culture across time is effective. It has enabled me not only to understand how...