Intro to Deaf Culture

Rebekah Wells
Alexis Massengale
Look at your Handout!
If you havent already, look at the handout
provided. It provides a very brief history and
intro to deaf culture.
Research Deaf culture by interviewing people,
both deaf and Deaf, to provide insight into the
local Deaf community in Clear Springs High
School; the hub of Deaf Education
mainstreaming in our district.

Note: The quotes used throughout the presentation are paraphrased,
though the meaning behind them was kept intact.
The Project
Why Should You Care?
ABC Familys Switched at Birth centers
around a Deaf character --played by a
hearing actress.
No Deaf writers
Focuses on drama rather than Deaf
culture/concerns
Irresponsible and uninformed
Levels of Deafness
90% - Angel Burton
20% - Kiara Faught
80% - Adrianna Cantu
50-55% - Juan Aguilera
Moderate - Robert Hemig
Moderate-Profound - Leo Vega
Totally deaf in the right ear, only loud bass in
the left ear. - Steven Moris
Moderate - Rinnah Nguyen
Moderate - Miguel Ruiz
Moderate - Darronika Gater
Family Involvement
Are you the only one in
your family who is deaf?
Do your parents know
how to sign?
9/10 of the people we
interviewed said theyre
the only ones in their
family that is deaf.
Conclusion: Deafness is not genetic.
7/10 of our interviewees
parents know little to no
sign language.
Conclusion: Many parents dont
learn to sign for their deaf children.
Is Deafness a Handicap?
Staff (hearing):
No, deaf people can do anything hearing
people can do, except hear -Mrs. Smith
(Deaf Ed Teacher)
No, I have seen with my students hearing
doesnt get in the way, its just another
obstacle. They can still do the same. -
Mrs. Wilson (Deaf Ed Teacher)
No; just because you speak a different
language doesnt make it bad, it
becomes normal. - Ronnie Alaniz
(Interpreter)
Students (Deaf):
No.
No.
No.
No, it just isnt.
Its not, it just isnt.
It can be.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes

Personal Message from the Deaf Community
Deaf Ed Staff:
Get involved! Learn ASL! Know that
deaf people are very proud. Know
the difference between interfering
and advocating.
Not all deaf people know sign
language. Deaf people are just as
capable as hearing people. Give
them a chance. They are more than
their hearing loss. They live in a
hearing world but they can adapt.
Students:
All people are equal. They have
the same limits, just different
needs.
Deaf people arent weak, and can
do anything...except join the army.
Deaf culture is cool, and Deaf
people can teach hearing people
Learn sign language!

If you could tell the hearing community one thing about the deaf community
what would it be?
Bibliography (Websites and Forums)
Audiogram Chart. Digital image.Audiogram Chart. Digital image. Ear Associates &
Rehabilitation Services Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2014.

"The Deaf Community's View." The Deaf Community's View. N.p., 2003-2014. Web.
15 May 2014.

Nielson, Rob. "Create Responsible, Accurate, and Family-oriented TV
Programming www.change.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.

Bibliography (Interviews)
Aguilera, Juan. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Alaniz, Ronnie. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Alyssa, Hazzard. "Deaf Culture Interview." E-mail interview. 4
May 2014.

Burton, Angel. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Cantu, Adrinna. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Coletta, Jennifer. "Deaf Culture Interview." E-mail interview. 2
May 2014.

Faught, Kiara. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Gater, Darronika. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.




Humig, Robert. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Moris, Steven. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Nguyen, Rinnah. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Pickett, Jenifer. "Deaf Culture Interview." E-mail interview. 7 May
2014.

Ruiz, Miguel. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Smith, Ami. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 11 May
2014.

Vega, Leonardo. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 9
May 2014.

Wilson. "Deaf Culture Interview." Personal interview. 11 May
2014.