Orientation To Deafness

This unique sourcebook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of deafness and the development of deaf individuals from birth through adulthood. Not only does the book focus on educational perspectives, psychosocial precepts, communication modes, vocational opportunities, support services, and recent technological advances, it provides the reader with insights into one of the fastest growing populations today - the deafened adult. Orientation to Deafness provides insights into the psychosocial development of deaf children of deaf parents, as well as deaf children of hearing parents. Throughout the chapters, myths surrounding deafness are dispelled and the salient characteristics of Deaf culture that lie at the heart of the Deaf community are examined. Special attention is given to the anatomy and physiology of the hearing mechanism, and recent advances in hearing aids, modern technology, and an annotated list of support services are provided. For those involved with or interested in Deafness.

Sheetz (Valdosta State U.) furnishes insights into the world of the deaf for future and current educators who work with clients ranging from infants through college students and students entering interpreting and social work, a foundation. Her information might also be appreciated by parents and deafened adults. She discusses the psychosocial perspective, the art of hearing, family dynamics, education, reading, work, myths and misconceptions, morals and values, hearing aids, support services, and other dimensions. The first edition appeared in 1993. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR

"You are about to enter the realm of Deaf culture, a world that may be completely new to you. Intriguingly, insiders and outsiders to this world may regard it in two completely different fashions. Let us examine this contradiction with the proverbial glass of water that can be viewed as either half-full or half-empty"--

Deaf people are usually regarded by the hearing world as having a lack, as missing a sense. Yet a definition of deaf people based on hearing loss obscures a wealth of ways in which societies have benefited from the significant contributions of deaf people. In this bold intervention into ongoing debates about disability and what it means to be human, experts from a variety of disciplines—neuroscience, linguistics, bioethics, history, cultural studies, education, public policy, art, and architecture—advance the concept of Deaf Gain and challenge assumptions about what is normal. Through their in-depth articulation of Deaf Gain, the editors and authors of this pathbreaking volume approach deafness as a distinct way of being in the world, one which opens up perceptions, perspectives, and insights that are less common to the majority of hearing persons. For example, deaf individuals tend to have unique capabilities in spatial and facial recognition, peripheral processing, and the detection of images. And users of sign language, which neuroscientists have shown to be biologically equivalent to speech, contribute toward a robust range of creative expression and understanding. By framing deafness in terms of its intellectual, creative, and cultural benefits, Deaf Gain recognizes physical and cognitive difference as a vital aspect of human diversity. Contributors: David Armstrong; Benjamin Bahan, Gallaudet U; Hansel Bauman, Gallaudet U; John D. Bonvillian, U of Virginia; Alison Bryan; Teresa Blankmeyer Burke, Gallaudet U; Cindee Calton; Debra Cole; Matthew Dye, U of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign; Steve Emery; Ofelia García, CUNY; Peter C. Hauser, Rochester Institute of Technology; Geo Kartheiser; Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi; Christopher Krentz, U of Virginia; Annelies Kusters; Irene W. Leigh, Gallaudet U; Elizabeth M. Lockwood, U of Arizona; Summer Loeffler; Mara Lúcia Massuti, Instituto Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil; Donna A. Morere, Gallaudet U; Kati Morton; Ronice Müller de Quadros, U Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil; Donna Jo Napoli, Swarthmore College; Jennifer Nelson, Gallaudet U; Laura-Ann Petitto, Gallaudet U; Suvi Pylvänen, Kymenlaakso U of Applied Sciences; Antti Raike, Aalto U; Päivi Rainò, U of Applied Sciences Humak; Katherine D. Rogers; Clara Sherley-Appel; Kristin Snoddon, U of Alberta; Karin Strobel, U Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil; Hilary Sutherland; Rachel Sutton-Spence, U of Bristol, England; James Tabery, U of Utah; Jennifer Grinder Witteborg; Mark Zaurov.