Here are some major takeaways to sum and what hearing people can do to advocate for people who are deaf.
“It’s time for myself and other Deaf people to be able to speak up and say, enough is enough. We are here.” - Marlee Matlin, CODA actress and the first deaf actress to win an Oscar.
Marlee Matlin, 2022.
First and foremost, as Sara Novic, author of True Biz (my deaf book pick of the month!) puts it, "Don't fear a deafer planet"; that is the first step in helping the deaf community thrive. With currently 466 million people around the world with serious hearing loss (with at least 11 million deaf people in the US), the numbers will only rise in the future. The World Health Organization estimated there to be 2.5 billion people in the world with hearing last within the next few decades (Novic).
Though deafness entails lacking the ability to hear, it does not entail silencing deaf voices. Our ignorance of deaf people in media reinforces and directly promotes the silencing of their voices. This is especially dangerous when we live in a world where silence is often misconstrued as absence. The deaf community, though frequently silenced, persists, and their voices echo through their culture and history. Despite their rich stories, deaf individuals continue to be confined to stereotypes, discrimination, and misrepresentation, accredited to their portrayal in the media. On our screens and off it, the deaf community's silence begs to be broken, its stories yearning to be heard.
Deaf individuals are reclaiming their representation and need our support to do so. Inaccurate portrayals of deaf people hinder social accessibility and opportunities for deaf actors. By fostering inclusive media representations, we pave the way for greater understanding and support for the deaf community, both on and off-screen. My research of their representation has deepened my personal understanding and empathy and revealed the need for better deaf advocacy. Below are a few steps we can take to advocate for the deaf community and better educate ourselves on their struggles. Advocacy is a valuable step towards the goal of fostering inclusivity and support for the deaf community's flourishing.
Learn Sign Language
Learning sign language, even just a few signs like I have, is a valuable step towards combatting misrepresentation deaf individuals face. Understanding sign lamguage will allow more hearing individuals to community with the deaf community and bridge the gap between our two worlds! Plus, sign language is extremely fun and interesting. Resources are posted on my "Information" page.
Post on Social Media and/or Communicate in Person
Advocacy through word of mouth or social media is a powerful tool. Encourage others to educate themselves on the struggles the deaf community faces by stressing how important it is. Furthermore, you could encourage others to visit this website, The Deaf Scene, as well.
Watch shows with Accurate Representation
Watching shows and movies with accurate deaf representation is an amazing way to learn about and connect with the deaf community. I have posted my personal favorite shows and movies on my blog post titled "Entertainment's Call to Right Their Wrongs". The shows and movies listed there have deaf characters as main or supporting characters, and more importantly, the actors/actresses are deaf in real life. My "Pick of the Month"'s, located on the "Home" Page are also regularly updated and feature amazing books written by deaf authors with deaf characters that I throughly enjoyed and recommend!
Learn More About the Deaf Community through Research
It is important to learn more about the deaf community outside of this website. While this website includes many valuable sources, the value of learning about deaf culture from individuals who self-identify cannot be disregarded. Websites I used to cultivate the information and facts on this website as well as other great deaf resources are on my "Information" page.
Connect with Deaf Individuals in Person
Similar to the last recommendation, the worth of learning about deaf culture and struggles from real deaf individuals is critical. I encourage you to socialize with deaf individuals whenever you get the chance and make new connections.
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