Deaf Culture & Libraries
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introduction
Why think about the connection
between Deaf Culture and libraries? Marc Marschark suggests that
instead
of seeing deafness as an impairment which limits full functioning, we
could see it as a "lack [of] full access to information and
opportunities
normally available to hearing children."1
Since
libraries are providers
of information, it seems like an critical connection to make.
This website provides a basic introduction to Deaf Culture for people in hearing communities, and looks at some of the general issues libraries might want to consider when providing services for Deaf communities.
This website provides a basic introduction to Deaf Culture for people in hearing communities, and looks at some of the general issues libraries might want to consider when providing services for Deaf communities.
When planning library services for Deaf communities, the focus is often only on accessibility. But if libraries understand Deaf Culture and see Deaf communities as they see themselves – as members of a cultural and linguistic group, rather than individuals with a common disability – then the model for providing services may need to change as well. As libraries have found in their efforts to provide services to other cultural groups, not only does the library need to be accessible, it also needs to be relevant. It is important for libraries to know something about Deaf Culture in order to plan collection development and events.
This website is not meant to be an exhaustive look at Deaf Culture and library services, but rather a general overview of some concepts and issues which may be helpful to think about. Hopefully this website will provide some background, and link those who are interested with more in-depth information.
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