Day 5 of International Week of Deaf People is centred on, ‘Diversity in Deaf Communities’. Namely, it is important to recognise and embrace the intersecting identities of our deaf communities. Today, we are encouraged to sign up for sign language rights in order to strengthen our communities.
Intersectionality refers to how different aspects of a person’s identity whether that is their race, gender or ability can marginalise an individual. In other words, it is a concept that explains how different systems of inequality based on these forms of discrimination “intersect” to produce distinct outcomes. Indeed, being deaf only makes up one component of the complex picture of an individual, who also dispose of different identities that intersect with each other in different ways. For example, a deaf woman may experience gender-based discrimination alongside barriers related to hearing.
Through embracing those differences, such as race and gender, and thus valuing these intersectionalities, the communities that are formed are ones that are more inclusive and therefore better address the specific needs faced by deaf individuals. Indeed, this understanding will help shape policies that will have a direct impact on the equality of members of this diverse community.
In order to strengthen communities, it is also important that sign language rights are campaigned for. When embracing intersectionality, we are driving for access that is equitable to all individuals. It is important that when we push towards strengthening these varying communities that we campaign for communication access for every deaf individual, regardless of their identity.
Today, we should recognise and educate ourselves on the different intersectionalities within deaf communities, that all contribute towards the diversity we see within such communities. Through embracing our individual differences, which make up who we are as people, we work towards strengthening our communities, communities that are accessible to all, and where every individual is valued and supported.
