Over the past decade, a significant body of work on the topic of deaf identities has emerged. In this volume, Leigh and O'Brien bring together scholars from a wide range of disciplines -- anthropology, counseling, education, literary criticism, practical religion, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and deaf studies -- to examine deaf identity paradigms.
In this book, contributing authors describe their perspectives on what deaf identities represent, how these identities develop, and the ways in which societal influences shape these identities. Intersectionality, examination of medical, educational, and family systems, linguistic deprivation, the role of oppressive influences, the deaf body, and positive deaf identity development, are among the topics examined in the quest to better understand deaf identities. In reflection, contributors have intertwined both scholarly and personal perspectives to animate these academic debates. The result is a book that reinforces the multiple ways in which deaf identities manifest, empowering those whose identity formation is influenced by being deaf or hard of hearing.
Industry Reviews
"Embracing interdisciplinary paradigms, the authors relate how factors such as culture, schooling, home environment, gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality intersect to form Deaf multicultural identities that do not remain static but can evolve across the lifespan. The shared personal journeys of the various authors add compelling detail. The labor of these editors and contributors will disable even the most ardent audists, who may indeed lose their stereotypes
about Deaf people after reading this book. Though audists may read at their peril, most others will appreciate this up-to-date account of life with Deaf identity." -- J. F. Andrews, emerita, Lamar
University, Choice
"This is a fascinating book, superbly crafted, and like its predecessor, Dr. Leigh's A Lens on Deaf Identities, a must-read for anyone interested in how dissimilar experiences and contexts for being deaf illuminate questions we all ask ourselves: "Who am I?" and "Who are we?"
-- Neil Glickman, Clinical Psychologist, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Private Practice
"In the Deaf communities, our work and personal lives are often a complex interplay of differing roles, identities, and responsibilities. With Deaf Identities: New Frontiers, Irene Leigh and Catherine O'Brien weave together a rich collection of narratives that offer a glimpse into the various perspectives as well as the collective vision inherent in the rich tapestry of which our Deaf communities are made. The collected works of professionals and
scholars in the field serve to provide a clear framework in both recognizing and differentiating research findings. In doing so, the editors have successfully maximized the impact these findings will undoubtedly
have on the community members as well as drive further research."
-- Shilpa Hanumantha, Associate Professor, American Sign Language Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
"This book is a must-read for everyone, deaf or hearing, who work with the deaf community because it advances our understanding of the diverse lived experiences within the community and how identity and intersectionality interact with these experiences."
-- Peter C. Hauser, Director, NTID Center Research Center on Culture and Language, Rochester Institute of Technology
