The ADA and Deaf Culture: Contrasting Precepts, Conflicting Results

Under the concept of Deaf culture, deafness is not a disability that needs to be fixed. Deaf culturists feel that society should not focus on a cure for deafness but should accept Deaf people as a cultural minority and respect their right to live as Deaf persons. Deaf culturists also insist, however, that deafness is a disabling condition that society should compensate for by providing special assistance to persons who cannot hear. Deaf culturists are therefore strong supporters of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws requiring the public and private sectors to make accommodations for persons with impaired hearing. This article examines the ramifications of those conflicting precepts.