Deaf Culture

A contemporary and vibrant Deaf culture is found within Deaf communities, including Deaf Persons of Color and those who are DeafDisabled and DeafBlind. Taking a more people-centered view, the second edition of Deaf Culture: Exploring Deaf Communities in the United States critically examines how Deaf culture fits into education, psychology, cultural studies, technology, and the arts. With the acknowledgment of signed languages all over the world as bona fide languages, the perception of Deaf people has evolved into the recognition and acceptance of a vibrant Deaf culture centered around the use of signed languages and the communities of Deaf peoples. Written by Deaf and hearing authors with extensive teaching experience and immersion in Deaf cultures and signed languages, Deaf Culture fills a niche as an introductory textbook that is more inclusive, accessible, and straightforward for those beginning their studies of the Deaf-World.

New to the Second Edition


A new co-author, Topher González Ávila, MA 
Two new chapters! 

Chapter 7 “Deaf Communities Within the Deaf Community” highlights the complex variations within this community
Chapter 10 “Deaf People and the Legal System: Education, Employment, and Criminal Justice” underscores linguistic and access rights

The remaining chapters have been significantly updated to reflect current trends and new information, such as:

Advances in technology created by Deaf people that influence and enhance their lives within various national and international societies
Greater emphasis on different perspectives within Deaf culture
Information about legal issues and recent political action by Deaf people
New information on how Deaf people are making breakthroughs in the entertainment industry
Addition of new vignettes, examples, pictures, and perspectives to enhance content interest for readers and facilitate instructor teaching
Introduction of theories explained in a practical and reader-friendly manner to ensure understanding
An updated introduction to potential opportunities for professional and informal involvement in ASL/Deaf culture with children, youth, and adults 



Key Features

Strong focus on including different communities within Deaf cultures
Thought-provoking questions, illustrative vignettes, and examples
Theories introduced and explained in a practical and reader-friendly manner