understanding deaf culture in search of deafhood

Now that his Department of Deaf Studies at the University of Bristol is closed despite a public campaign to save it, Ladd cited the upside of having more time to write and finish this book.Īgainst a background of “Cultural Holism,” Ladd outlined six overlapping Developmental Stages, from ages 0-5 “Developing the Cognitive Engine” to ages 7-18 “Teaching how to live in Deaf and Hearing worlds.” One cultural point I especially appreciated was his suggestion of contextualizing “Deaf bluntness” or “Straight Talk” as it shows Deaf children that you care and that they are loved.” Donna West, a hearing teacher, who “helped him see things he otherwise would have missed.” He also recognized his co-researcher on the studies that form the basis for his new book, Dr. He praised CSD’s Bilingual-Bicultural approach and its excellent teachers. Hank Klopping, retired CSD Superintendent, and CSD teachers Laura Peterson and Dee Kennedy. Ladd acknowledged the inspiration and support received from Dr. SEEING THROUGH NEW EYES: Deaf Pedagogies and the Unrecognized Curriculum.ĭr. Ladd has been researching for many years, is the focus of his new book, a 300+ page volume he hopes to have finished next year, tentatively entitled, “Why not trust those who have been successfully educating Deaf children for generations,” Dr. Then the blame is placed on the parents, on the child, on sign language–everywhere other than where it belongs.” This has the consequence that Deaf children show poor results. Ladd provocatively engaged the audience with, “We’ve been colonized!” and continued, “Books on Deaf education are written by hearing people, and our perspective is not incorporated in the curriculum.

Ladd’s Power Point slides can be found on their website now. His presentation, co-sponsored by CSD and the Deafhood Foundation, A Final Frontier: Can Deafhood Pedagogies Revolutionize Deaf Education? was live-streamed by the Deafhood Foundation, which promises to make the video available at a later date, but Dr. Paddy Ladd at CSD Fremont, October 8, 2013

Understanding deaf culture in search of deafhood