Diversity and inclusion

Deaf role models

Do you remember how hard it was when you were younger and deaf? Before you found your way in life? Before you became successful? Was there a role model that you looked up to, who had hearing loss too? It’s tricky when you can’t see deafness most of the time, and most people want to hide it too.

Be proud of who you are!

Are you young with a hearing loss, and you’re wondering how you can be successful, but don’t know if this is possible. What are your options? Who or what are your options defined by? Who do you listen to, and who should you be listening to? Where can you find the best advice and guidance?

Actually, what is a deaf role model?

Photo: Omarukai

Check out Ted Evans’ wonderful film which looks at being a role model with a hearing loss. It’s very well done indeed. Very thoughtful. Very moving. It’s film-making at its best. Nadia is a superstar. Larry actually made us choke up and …. um…. cry.

Watch the film and find out why …. and tell us about your favourite role model who just happens to have a hearing loss too.

Is the cochlear implant a “solution”?

Charlie wrote a very good article on the issue of giving a cochlear implant to a deaf person to ‘fix’ their hearing loss.

Tina didn’t consider herself ‘broken’, until she reached a point where she couldn’t cope any longer, and looked for other options to help her manage her ability to communicate with the hearing people all around her every day. She had to find a way to communicate with more ease than struggling to understand what was being said with guesswork and lip reading. Struggling with everyday communication is extremely tiring. When you have no choice, it’s even more tiring and it just becomes a drag to communicate with anyone, as you ask for yet another repeat.

Her choice was an implant, as she wanted to start living her life again – right here, right now. Other people’s choices might be learning or using sign language, resignation and acceptance, or waiting for effective drugs, stem cells,nanotechnology, neural implants or infra-red light based cochlear implants.

At the end of the day, it is the individual’s decision to accept a cochlear implant and to make it work successfully, no one else’s. A deaf person’s personal choice is just that, and should be respected.

The Guardian: Not all deaf people want to be ‘fixed’.

Are deaf role models hard to find?

Deaf role models

Does a cochlear implant “fix” a deaf person?

Is the cochlear implant a “solution”?