Introduction to Deaf-World
1. The meaning of Deaf Culture is exactly what is stated- Culture of the Deaf. Traditions of the Deaf Community, appropriate behaviors, morals, as well as the use of ASL. Deaf who are oral, and a bigger part of the hearing community are not considered to be a part of the Deaf Community, since they do not practice Deaf Culture. Not only are these traditions and behaviors apart of the Deaf Culture, one must participate as well as be active in the culture to be considered Deaf. Also, there is a difference between Deaf and deaf. Deaf is culture, while deaf is physical. As with any other culture, customs are taken seriously, and to be considered part of the culture, one must believe, and be committed.
2. To gain membership into the Deaf-Community is not as simple as purchasing a membership. One must be active in Deaf events, know/ learn ASL, and actually want to become a part of the community. One must be very very active in the Deaf community. One must want to learn, and actually take the people, and culture seriously. Hearing people can become a part of the community, but it is much harder to gain access, since hearing people are not born into the community. Becoming a part of any other community takes time, but if one is committed they can definitely take part.
3. Video Relay Service is a communication device made for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or mute, to communicate with people who are hearing. If a hearing person would like to come into contact with a deaf person, they call the VRS and an interpreter will connect with them over the phone. While the hearing person can talk to the interpreter over the phone, on the other side the Deaf person will be looking at a screen which the interpreter will show up on. The hearing person will speak to the interpreter, who will then sign what the hearing person said to the Deaf person. When the Deaf person replies, the interpreter will then speak the interpretation to the hearing person, and so on, and so forth. It’s a great way of communication formally for Deaf and hearing people.
4. The Deaf President Now protest at Gallaudet University was a protest against the hearing president by the students. The students are at the University for the Deaf, so they (rightly) believed they should have a Deaf President. The protest went on for a little over a week, and during that time many things happened. On the first day protesters marched to the White House and back. I’m not positive about many of the specific details, but I do know that within that week long protest the hearing President did resign, and they found a Deaf President. The protest was successful, to say the least.
5. Marlee Matlin is a deaf actress, who has won many awards for many appearances in TV shows, and movies. But she did win a Best Actress Oscar, and was the youngest to do so. Marlee has written a few books for young adults, as well as an autobiography. She is also the spokesperson for closed captioning on television, and participates in many charity works.