Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education - Advance Access

Assessment of Sign Language Development: The Case of Deaf Children in the Netherlands

Hermans, D., Knoors, H., Verhoeven, L. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:14:38 PST

In this article, we will describe the development of an assessment instrument for Sign Language of the Netherlands (SLN) for deaf children in bilingual education programs. The assessment instrument consists of nine computerized tests in which the receptive and expressive language skills of deaf children at different linguistic levels (phonology, vocabulary, morphosyntax, and narration) are assessed. We will describe how the instrument was developed and normed, and present some psychometric properties of the instrument.

Deaf Studies by Any Other Name?

Marschark, M., Humphries, T. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:07:36 PST

Growing Up Deaf in a Developing Country

Eleweke, C. J. — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:10:35 PDT

Deaf Utopias? Reviewing the Sociocultural Literature on the World's "Martha's Vineyard Situations"

Kusters, A. — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:10:34 PDT

Martha's Vineyard—an island off the East Coast of the United States—is known as a community where "everyone signed" for several hundred years, a utopia in the eyes of many Deaf people. Currently, there exist around the world a number of small similar "shared signing communities," for example, in Mexico, Bali, Israel, and Ghana. A few studies about these have emerged, which give some information about the social and cultural patterns in such communities. Deaf studies researchers have begun the process of "synthesizing" and theorizing this information, and have developed typologies based on "traditional" Western urban Deaf communities. This article critically reviews the existing literature and raises new questions regarding the study and theorizing of such communities.

The Trials and Triumphs of Black Deaf Students: Williamson C. (2007). Black Deaf Students: A Model for Educational Success. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. 224 pages. Casebound. $39.95.

Boyd, A. C. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:12:45 PDT

Actual Versus Desired Family-Centered Practice in Early Intervention for Children With Hearing Loss

Ingber, S., Dromi, E. — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:35:57 PDT

Early intervention programs (EIPs) for children with hearing loss (HL) are increasingly characterized by a growing family-centered orientation. This article examined mothers’ and professionals’ assessments of actual and desired parental involvement in 6 educational centers in Israel that implement an EIP for young children with HL and their parents. Hundred twenty mothers and 60 professionals participated in the study. Data were collected via FOCAS: Family Orientation of Community and Agency Services questionnaire (family and professional versions) that were initially designed in the United States for measuring the level of collaboration between professionals and parents in the course of early intervention. Descriptive statistics and t-test analyses were calculated. The findings indicated that parental involvement in the programs was perceived by mothers and professionals as satisfactorily family centered. However, these programs also need further improvements. Outcomes suggested that parents should be offered a wide range of services to respond to diverse needs, thus increasing parental motivation to become increasingly involved in EIPs.

Psychosocial Development in a Danish Population of Children With Cochlear Implants and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children

Dammeyer, J. — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:08:05 PDT

Research has shown a prevalence of psychosocial difficulties ranging from about 20% to 50% among children with hearing loss. This study evaluates the prevalence of psychosocial difficulties in a Danish population in relation to different explanatory variables. Five scales and questionnaires measuring sign language, spoken language, hearing abilities, and psychosocial difficulties were given to 334 children with hearing loss. Results show that the prevalence of psychosocial difficulties was 3.7 times greater compared with a group of hearing children. In the group of children with additional disabilities, the prevalence was 3 times greater compared with children without additional disabilities. If sign language and/or oral language abilities are good, the children do not have a substantially higher level of psychosocial difficulties than do hearing children. This study documents the importance of communication—no matter the modality or degree of hearing loss—for the psychosocial well-being of hearing-impaired children.

Technology-Enhanced Shared Reading With Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children: The Role of a Fluent Signing Narrator

Mueller, V., Hurtig, R. — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:32:09 PDT

Early shared reading experiences have been shown to benefit normally hearing children. It has been hypothesized that hearing parents of deaf or hard-of-hearing children may be uncomfortable or may lack adequate skills to engage in shared reading activities. A factor that may contribute to the widely cited reading difficulties seen in the majority of deaf children is a lack of early linguistic and literacy exposure that come from early shared reading experiences with an adult who is competent in the language of the child. A single-subject-design research study is described, which uses technology along with parent training in an attempt to enhance the shared reading experiences in this population of children. The results indicate that our technology-enhanced shared reading led to a greater time spent in shared reading activities and sign vocabulary acquisition. In addition, analysis of the shared reading has identified the specific aspects of the technology and the components of the parent training that were used most often.

Inclusive Deaf Studies: Barriers and Pathways

Fernandes, J. K., Myers, S. S. — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:43:13 PDT

Joining scholars signaling the need for new directions in Deaf Studies, the authors recommend a more expansive, nuanced, and interdisciplinary approach that encompasses the many ways deaf people live today. Rather than destroy Deaf culture, this approach is the only realistic way to allow it and Deaf Studies to survive. Deaf Studies today continues the focus of founding scholarship on native White American Sign Language users, now head of a powerful hierarchy through which they receive privileged status at the expense of deaf people with different language backgrounds and races or ethnicities. This marginalization is unsustainable and impedes knowledge. A companion article (this issue), "Deaf Studies: A Critique of the Predominant U.S. Theoretical Direction," analyzes this reactive stance that is oriented by a focus on audism built on the concepts of phonocentrism and colonialism.

To Sign Is Human: Plaza-Pust, C., and Morales-Lopez, E. (2008). Sign Bilingualism: Language Development, Interaction, and Maintenance in Sign Language Contact Situations. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company. 389 pages. Hardback. $158.

Bauman, H-D. — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:40:06 PDT

Deaf Studies: A Critique of the Predominant U.S. Theoretical Direction

Myers, S. S., Fernandes, J. K. — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 05:56:42 PDT

The focus and concerns establishing Deaf Studies in the 1970s have rigidified into a reactive stance toward changing historical conditions and the variety of deaf lives today. This critique analyzes the theoretical foundation of this stance: a tendency to downplay established research in the field of Deaf Studies and linguistics, the employment of outdated examples of discrimination, an uncritical acceptance of Derrida's phonocentrism, flawed uses of Saussure's linguistic theory, and reliance on the limiting metaphor of colonialism. The purpose of the critique ultimately is to point Deaf Studies in a new direction. Issues with conceptualizing an expanded Deaf Studies are the focus of a companion article (this issue), "Inclusive Deaf Studies: Barriers and Pathways."

Gallaudet: Trendsetter or Replicator?: Greenwald, B. H. & Van Cleve, J. V. (Eds.). (2008). A Fair Chance in the Race of Life: The Role of Gallaudet University in Deaf History. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. xii + 198 pages. Paperback. $34.95.

Rosen, R. S. — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:35:40 PDT

Achieving Success Partnerships: Deaf Professionals and Designated Interpreters: Hauser, P., Finch, K., & Hauser, A. (2008). Deaf Professionals and Designated Interpreters: A New Paradigm. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. Hardcover. 224 pages. $55.00.

Hoza, J. — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:21:39 PDT

Uncommon Stories: A Belief in Equal Rights: Rivers, M. V., & Shurman, D. (2008). Deaf Lives in Contrast: Two Women's Stories. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. 239 pages. Paperback. $34.95.

Matchett, M. K. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:52:39 PDT

A (Not So) Modest Proposal: Siegel, L. M. (2008). The Human Right to Language: Communication Access for Deaf Children. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. 164 pages. Hardcover. $49.95.

Siegel, P. — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:14:54 PDT

The Implicit Nature of Access for Deaf Persons: DeLuca, D., Leigh, I., Lindgren, K., & Napoli, D. (Eds.). (2008). Access: Multiple Avenues for Deaf People. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. 216 pages. Hardback. $60.00.

Cawthon, S. W. — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:40:14 PST

The One Book: Marschark, M. (2007). Raising and Educating a Deaf Child: A Comprehensive Guide to the Choices, Controversies, and Decisions Faced by Parents and Educators. New York: Oxford University Press. 267 pp. $35.00.

Oliva, G. A. — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:39:15 PDT

Making Contact Through Signed Languages: Quinto-Pozos, D. (Ed.). (2007). Sign languages in contact. In Lucas, C. (Series Ed.) Sociolinguistics in Deaf Communities, Vol. 13. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. 274 pages. Hardback. $85.00.

Casey, S. — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:39:14 PDT

An Eye-Widening Experience: Review of: Bauman, H-Dirksen, Ed. (2008). Open Your Eyes: Deaf Studies Talking. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. Paper. 349 pages. $24.95

Grushkin, D. A. — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:53:33 PDT

Stories for the Living

Shannon, N. B. — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:55:53 PDT