Medical versus Social Models
There are two prevailing models surrounding the education and support of deaf children.
Medical Model: Deafness is a disability which needs treatment with hearing aids, speech therapy, cochlear implants, special education, etc. It focuses on what the child lacks or is deficient in and seeks to correct the situation through treatment and `normalisation`.
Social Model: Deaf people belong to a separate linguistic minority group, which has its own culture, community and language. Equal access and participation should be the responsibility of the wider community through the provision of interpreters, equal opportunities, etc.
The medical model has dominated the health and education provision for the last century and marginalised many deaf people. However, things are starting to change with provision for deaf children developing in some areas of the country. A number of different areas have now accepted that sign language and deaf adult role-models have a place in the support and development of deaf children. It is hoped that this attitude will become more common throughout the United Kingdom. Providing children and parents with all available information is the best way to secure a child's future. Sometimes parents are in denial.
Sometimes parents think the support they have already received is sufficient for their needs. However, it can soon become apparent that they have not been given full information on the positive and negative aspects of all the options open to deaf children and their families.
Very often they have not been given information about deaf culture, deaf identity and most importantly the deaf community. Some parents are aware of sign language and would like their child to learn it. They should be given the opportunity to do so as it would benefit both themselves and the child.
1 comment:
I trust you will not take offence, but this is paraphrasing the deaf activism line, and one unchanged for 11 YEARS ! It is not (A) Accurate, or (B) reflective of most deaf people's view, who disagree with the 'Deaf versus deaf' wars, because it's based on socio-medico 'models', and drives division between us all.
Hearing aids for the HoH are a right, and a vital aid, hearing aids are NOT given to deaf people ! (What would be the point ?). CI's are not that contentious either, since no child has ever been forced to take one, and no adult either (They choose them and that's a right too).
Neither choices impinge, on 'deaf culture' since neither sectors are aligned with them, or part of it. They operate quite individually. I suspect the view (Quite a wrong one), is that CI's are forced on deaf people, thus trying to make them 'what they aren't', and creating less 'Deaf' people,this is utter rubbish !
The 'models' are based NOT on 'Mainstream' views of deaf and HI people, but the deaf COMMUNAL view of how they see it. I can only say I have deaf friends, HoH ones, hearing ones, and two with a CI,and we all bump along quite content really.
It's a pity the desperate deaf activist hasn't made another 'record' we're tired of hearing that last one !
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