Deaf Culture and Youth Resilience in Diverse American Communities

Abstract

For years, reformed educational programs, creative strategies, and sensitive deliberations have collectively tried to ensure that the emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of American Deaf youth are met; however, the literature shows that gaps in resources and supports remain daunting. Using a transformative research framework, examples of research with American Deaf youth are used to illustrate how the culture of Deaf communities is interwoven with Deaf youths’ resilience processes. A transformative framework provides an opportunity for thinking about and responding to the heterogeneity of the Deaf community, with particular focus on the multiple dimensions that limit opportunities, and strategies that youth and their communities use to address those limits. The chapter includes a critical assessment of the influence of hearing status, race, and other cultural factors in the positive adjustment of Deaf youth, especially those of colour. Theoretical and practical approaches that foster resilience and positive outcomes among American Deaf youth of colour are discussed.