Lecture 20 - Diversity in the Deaf Community

Question 1

Is the Deaf community inclusive?

Answer 1

Depends on: locations, situations, etc.

Question 2

What does it mean to be Deaf enough?

Answer 2

• are Gallaudet presidents Deaf enough to be president?
• “deaf” card.
• Deaf grassroots and elites.

Question 3

What does it mean to be Diverse enough?

Answer 3

• Deaf people aren’t always inclusive of others. It depends on their education, exposure to diversity, attitudes, etc.
• being Deaf may help them understand minority groups and be more inclusive.
• being tolerant of others versus the need of a “Deaf Space”

Question 4

Identities

Answer 4

• gender
• race
• LGBT
• Deaf culture
• Sightedness/Deaf Blind
• Disability
• Religion
• Family heritage

Question 5

Other factors influencing diversity attitudes:

Answer 5

• educational background and signs
• ASL skills
• stages of Deafhood
• Deaf in family
• Socio-economics

Question 6

Support groups and organizations for specifically diverse people

Answer 6

• Deaf Women United
• National Black Deaf Advocates
• National Council of Hispanic Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Intertribal Deaf Council
• Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
• National Deaf Asian Congress
• American Association of Deaf-Blind
  
  • Or Washington State Deaf-Blind Citizens

Question 7

Unity for Gallaudet student protest, 2006

Answer 7

• Issues with diversity
  
  • racism
  • audism
  • sexism