Deaf Culture

Deaf Culture: Understanding Communication and Behavior

Griffin (2012) explains in an informative essay on deaf culture how those who are impacted are similar to hearing individuals. In light of this, it is simpler to comprehend the causes of the deaf’s behavior. They appear to be more aggressive and emotional in their interactions than the majority of hearing individuals do to most of us. However, people behave in this way because it is the most effective way for them to communicate their feelings. They feel and communicate with their hands, which makes them touchy. According to Bates (2012), the deaf use both their sight and touch to compensate for their lack of hearing thus they find touch to be a normal behavior.

Language and Communication: American Sign Language (ASL)

The language of these persons can be a bit complex for others to understand, but when mastered, it becomes easier especially to communicate with persons unable to hear. ASL, American Sign Language, is the standard language used by the deaf to communicate. It uses hand gestures as a means of creating words that they can be able to comprehend. It is also now easy to understand that their language does not follow correct grammar and thus the reason as to why a complex English sentence can be summarized in a few hand gestures while communicating in ASL.

Educational Needs of the Deaf

In respect to their educational needs, they too have to get educated just like the rest of the population. According to Griffin (2017), the oldest school for the deaf was established in 1817. Today, there are many schools that cater to their needs as a community. This is because they have their own culture, history, and language to learn. Griffin (2017) further explains that learning ASL is essential for deaf children because it will be their basic form of communication. This is in addition to reading lips, which they are very good at. They learn to read lips in order to communicate with hearing people who are not able to use ASL.

Inclusion in Public Education

In as much as deaf have special schools that they can attend, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Public Law 94-142 the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975 now requires public schools to make the necessary provisions to cater for the deaf (Griffin, 2017). What this means is that the students can attend regular school and get educated with hearing students. The Act allows for public education institutes at the different levels to encourage them to be part of their community by embracing their unique needs (Eisner, 2012). This, therefore, ensures that they are in a position to further their education to pursue graduate and college degrees.

The Deaf Culture: A Unique Community

According to Griffin (2017), this community is just like hearing people with the only difference being that they are accustomed to the silence of their world. The deaf culture is unique in terms of how they communicate and express their feelings; other than that, they are social and active people. The culture of the deaf can, therefore, be understood to be just as unique as any other culture. In the same manner, in which we strive to understand and embrace other cultures different from our own, is the same way we should be when relating to these persons.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a deaf person is still a person just as Griffin emphasize in the article. They too are capable of doing everything from communicating, getting an education and being social. They have a unique culture because it is a community made up of persons with the same needs and desires. Given that the unable to hear persons have accepted their condition and to them it is normal, it is up to the rest of us to be accommodative and welcoming to them.

References

Bates, M. (2012). Super Powers for the Blind and Deaf. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/superpowers-for-the-blind-and-deaf/

Eisner, N. (2012). Engaging Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in the School Library. Retrieved from https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/31856/engaging%20deaf%20and%20hard%20of%20hearing%20students%20in%20the%20school%20library%20a%20handbook%20for%20teacher%20librarians.pdf?sequence=2

Griffin, J. (2012). Deaf Culture: Being a Deaf Person is Still Being a Person. Retrieved from http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/culture-personhood.htm