The “Deaf Culture”
Apparently there are some deaf folks out there that feel like being deaf isn’t a disability. As a result, there was and still continues to be some backlash against cochlear implants for children. They say that putting an implant in a child is committing “cultural genocide”. Emotionally charged terms aside, I guess I can see how the “deaf culture” might dwindle as more and more people get usable hearing at an early age. But given the choice, I’d rather have my child participate in the 99% culture than the 1% culture.
Let’s face it: 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. This means that these children start off at a severe communication disadvantage. Overcoming that disadvantage is hugely difficult, and has lasting lifelong impact. I got eye surgery to correct my vision, and wouldn’t hesitate to get an implant to correct my hearing. Why wouldn’t I want every advantage for my child?
I wonder how many proponents of “deaf culture” actually know what they’re missing. Perhaps if they did, they wouldn’t be so adamant that others support their “culture”.