Communication barriers between deaf individuals and their hearing counterparts are
being reduced as services designed for facilitating communication proliferate. However,
a cultural divide between the deaf and hearing communities still exists, even in light
of communication changes. Reasons for the unique and necessary contributions of the
deaf community in early intervention are presented and discussed. Particular focus
is given to the development of a deaf or hard-of-hearing child's identity of self.
Development of identity is presented in five stages. Each stage is discussed and highlighted
in case examples.
Deaf cultural identity - early-intervention
