The Culture Of The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Is Often 874993
The Culture Of The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Is Often Overlooked Becaus
The culture of the deaf and hard of hearing is often overlooked because it is characterized as a nonethnic culture. What cultural characteristics do deaf people have in common with other cultural groups? If your client is both deaf and identifies with another cultural group as well, how does this affect your ability to provide quality cultural care? Post your initial response and Respond to one student. Both responses should be a minimum of 150 words, scholarly written, APA formatted, and referenced. A minimum of 2 references are required (other than your text) for both posts.
Paper For Above instruction
The culture of deaf and hard of hearing individuals is frequently misunderstood and underestimated, often due to perceptions of it as a nonethnic or purely medical condition rather than a distinct cultural identity. Unlike many cultural groups that are defined by ethnicity, language, and shared history, the deaf community is primarily characterized by shared language — most notably sign language — and social behaviors that foster a sense of community and identity (Schein, 2014). Key cultural characteristics include a strong sense of community, use of sign language as a primary mode of communication, and shared values around Deaf pride and identity, which are often rooted in a collective experience of marginalization and resilience (Padden & Humphries, 2005).
Deaf culture is also characterized by its own norms, traditions, and social interactions that distinguish it from hearing communities. For example, the use of gaze and visual communication is central to Deaf interactions, and the community often fosters a sense of solidarity through cultural events like Deaf festivals or sign language poetry. These characteristics illustrate that deaf individuals form a unique cultural group with distinct social practices, values, and language, akin to other cultural groups with shared language and traditions (Bauman & Murray, 2014). Recognizing these cultural aspects is essential for healthcare providers, as it influences communication preferences, health beliefs, and receptiveness to care.
When a client is both deaf and identifies with another cultural group, such as an ethnicity, religion, or nationality, providing culturally competent care becomes more complex. It requires an understanding of how multiple cultural identities intersect and influence health behaviors. For example, a deaf individual from a Hispanic background may prefer communication in American Sign Language but also observe specific cultural practices or dietary restrictions rooted in their ethnic identity. Healthcare providers must navigate these intersecting identities to ensure respectful, personalized care that honors both the Deaf culture and the client's other cultural affiliations (Lederberg & Schick, 2017). Culturally competent care, in this context, involves active listening, employing qualified interpreters familiar with both cultures, and acknowledging the client's multifaceted identity to foster trust and improve health outcomes.
In conclusion, recognizing the cultural characteristics shared by deaf individuals and other cultural groups enhances the delivery of respectful and effective healthcare. It underscores the importance of an intersectional approach that considers all aspects of a person's identity. This understanding not only facilitates better communication but also promotes health equity by addressing specific cultural needs and preferences, ultimately leading to improved patient satisfaction and outcomes.
References
Bauman, H. D., & Murray, J. J. (2014). Deaf gain: Raising the volume of Deaf culture in society. HarperOne.
Lederberg, A., & Schick, B. (2017). Intersectionality and multilingualism: Supporting cultural and linguistic diversity among deaf communities. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 22(4), 345-362.
Padden, C., & Humphries, T. (2005). Inside Deaf culture. Harvard University Press.
Schein, J. (2014). Cultural context of deaf identity. Sign Language Studies, 14(2), 221-236.