Models Matter: Seeing Deaf People Through A Cultural Lens | Diana Kautzky | TEDxDesMoines

Summary

In a powerful talk, the speaker shares her experiences growing up in a deaf family, challenging societal perceptions of deafness. She introduces three models of understanding: the medical model, which views deafness as a disability; the social model, emphasizing societal responsibility for inclusion; and the cultural model, celebrating the rich language and community of the deaf. By sharing personal anecdotes, she advocates for a shift in perspective that embraces diversity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to recognize and value the unique contributions of the deaf community.

Takeaways

• 👩‍🌾 Personal Story: The speaker shares her experiences growing up in a deaf family, illustrating the challenges and societal perceptions faced by deaf individuals.
• 📜 Importance of Difference: Society often struggles to accept differences, which can lead to marginalization and exclusion of individuals who don't fit the 'normal' definition.
• 🔍 Understanding Normality: The historical context of the eugenics movement has shaped perceptions of normality, impacting how disabilities are viewed and treated.
• 🩺 Medical Model of Deafness: This model focuses on fixing the perceived abnormality of hearing loss, labeling deaf individuals as 'hearing impaired' which can be seen as derogatory.
• 🌍 Social Model of Deafness: This perspective shifts the focus to society's responsibility in creating accommodations and ensuring equal access for deaf individuals.
• 📜 Legislative Changes: Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act have been pivotal in providing rights and access for the deaf community, yet changing societal attitudes remains a challenge.
• 💬 Cultural Model: The cultural model emphasizes the shared language, norms, and community within the deaf population, recognizing their rich culture and identity.
• 👐 Sign Language: American Sign Language (ASL) is a distinct language with its own grammar and syntax, not simply a translation of spoken English.
• 🏆 Contributions of the Deaf Community: The deaf community has made significant contributions to society, including the invention of the telephone and the origin of the football huddle.
• 🌟 Embracing Inclusion: It's crucial to recognize and celebrate deafness as a culture rather than a disability, advocating for inclusive practices in all aspects of life.

Q & A

What personal experiences does Rhonda Jacobs share in her presentation?

Rhonda Jacobs shares her experiences growing up as the daughter of deaf parents, including how she acted as an interpreter in various situations and how society reacted to her family's deafness.

How does the presentation illustrate society's perception of normalcy?

Jacobs illustrates that society often marginalizes individuals who do not fit the definition of normal, which leads to misunderstanding and pity towards people with differences, such as deaf individuals.

What are the three models of understanding the deaf community that Jacobs introduces?

The three models are the medical model, the social model, and the cultural model. Each offers a different perspective on how deaf individuals are viewed and treated in society.

What does the medical model focus on regarding deaf individuals?

The medical model focuses on deafness as a deficiency that needs to be fixed, often imposing the label of disability and suggesting that deaf individuals must undergo interventions to become 'normal.'

How does the social model differ from the medical model?

The social model shifts the focus from the individual’s impairment to societal responsibility, advocating for laws and accommodations that ensure equal access for deaf individuals without aiming to change their identity.

What does the cultural model recognize about deaf individuals?

The cultural model recognizes that deaf individuals belong to a distinct culture with its own language (American Sign Language), shared norms, and traditions, celebrating their identity rather than viewing it as a deficiency.

What impact did Jacobs mention about the legal recognition of American Sign Language?

Jacobs mentions that 48 out of 50 states recognize American Sign Language for high school and college credit, highlighting the growing acceptance and inclusion of the deaf community in education.

What is the significance of storytelling in the deaf community?

Storytelling is a cherished tradition in the deaf community, allowing individuals to share their successes, setbacks, humor, and folklore, thus passing down their culture through generations.

What contributions to society did Jacobs attribute to the deaf community?

Jacobs highlights various contributions, including the invention of the football huddle by a deaf team, the founding of Girl Scouts of America by a deaf woman, and Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone while trying to help his deaf family members.

What call to action does Jacobs make to her audience regarding perspectives on the deaf community?

Jacobs challenges her audience to adopt the cultural perspective, which values and embraces deafness, encouraging true inclusion where deaf individuals have a place at every table.