LibGuides: Summer Reading 2024: Discovering Deaf Culture: Home

Exploring Deaf Culture: A Summer of Empathy and Understanding

This summer, the students and faculty of West Sound Academy are diving into two books that explore the experiences of individuals who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing. Our goal is to foster empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the unique perspectives of the d/Deaf community.

Middle School students will read El Deafo by Cece Bell

In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful--and very awkward--hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear--sometimes things she shouldn't--but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is.

The Silence Between Us, by Alison Gervais Upper School students will read The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais

Deaf teen Maya Harris must navigate a new life--and love--in this #OwnVoices novel that features the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. After her family moves cross-country the summer before her senior year in high school, Maya is forced to attend a hearing school for the first time. She sets out to prove that her lack of hearing won’t stop her from chasing her dreams. NOTE: 11th and 12th-grade students have two additional summer reading assignments. See: 11th & 12th Grades: IB Language & Literature

At the beginning of the school year, Language and Literature teachers will assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the summer reading - through discussions, written reflections, and explorations of the themes in the books.

Then, on September 5, 2024, West Sound Academy will welcome Devin Myers and Talitha Asteria, client advocates from the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center in Seattle to our campus. They’ll share their expertise, stories, and insights into Deaf history and culture. Get ready to learn about sign language, famous Deaf individuals, and the vibrant Deaf community.

Remember, reading isn’t just about words on a page—it’s about stepping into someone else’s shoes, experiencing their world, and fostering compassion. Let’s celebrate the power of literature and embrace the silence that speaks volumes.

Deaf Culture | What does “D”, “d”, and “d/Deaf” mean in the Deaf community?
In Deaf culture, “D,” “d,” and “d/Deaf” are extremely significant when it comes to the identification of deaf people. This article explains what “Deaf” with a capital ‘D’, “deaf” with a small ‘d’, and “d/Deaf” with both capital and small ‘d’ mean and how they differ from each other. Author: Katelyn Cheng, a Deaf Social Media Coordinator for Start ASL.
The difference between D/deaf, hard of hearing and hearing-impaired
An explanation of the different terms related to hearing loss and deafness: Deaf (with an uppercase ‘D’), deaf (with a lowercase ‘d’), hard of hearing, and hearing-impaired. The Deaf community is made up of diverse people with varying levels of hearing loss, who come from different backgrounds and overlapping cultures, and each individual person self-identify with their own preferred term. Presented by ConnectHear, a social start-up led by aspiring youth working for sign language accessibility and deaf-inclusion in Pakistan.

What are big 'D' and little 'd'?

What Are Big D and Little D?
This article discusses what the terms big D and little d mean and how they can help hearing people to understand how identity differs in deaf culture."Big D deaf people are those who are born deaf or experience hearing loss before spoken language is acquired and regard their deafness as part of their identity and culture rather than as a disability. They form the Deaf Community and are predominantly American Sign Language (ASL) users. Small d deaf people are those who have become deafened or hard of hearing in later life, after they have acquired a spoken language and so identify themselves with the hearing community. Small d deaf people are more likely to use hearing aids and develop lipreading skills."

Summer Reading 2024: Discovering Deaf Culture: Home

Exploring Deaf Culture: A Summer of Empathy and Understanding

Librarian