The Deaf Community in America: History in the Making

by Melvia M. Nomeland, Ronald E. Nomeland (Editor)

The deaf community in the West has endured radical changes in the past centuries. This work of history tracks the changes both in the education of and the social world of deaf people through the years. Topics include attitudes toward the deaf in Europe and America and the evolution of communication and language.

Of particular interest is the way in which deafness has been increasingly humanized, rather than medicalized or pathologized, as it was in the past. Successful contributions to the deaf and non-deaf world by deaf individuals are also highlighted.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Read For School

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2011

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A excellent summary of Deaf history. Written in a way that's not boring and kept me reading. I struggle to read non-fiction, but I made it through this one very easily. The authors include stories of their own lives when appropriate. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in Deaf history.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting topic, but dry. I would not have read it had it not been required for class.

[Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because I am taking ASL as my foreign language in college and my boyfriend is deaf. My boyfriend became deaf from sickness when he was under a year old. He does not use sign language to communicate with the hearing community. This book answers many questions about the deaf community like the argument for/against the deaf learning speech. You will also learn how those born deaf (prelingually) are treated compared to those who lose their hearing after learning speech (postlingually) and how this classification and the use of speech by the deaf individual can affect their rights. The success/failure of early deaf education is covered as well as the early institutions still having the words "deaf and dumb" and "asylum" in the title. You will learn the surprising origin of signs. This is truly fascinating and if you'd like to learn to be more understanding about the deaf community or know someone who could really use a refresher course on being sensitive to others, you should read it. Also if you just like history. My boyfriend has cochlear implants and hearing aids. He read lips when he was young and I first knew him. He has always spoken to communicate. The view of this in the deaf community is along the lines of Why bother to learn to speak when we can't hear? This is part of it but read the book to learn more on the perspectives. Due to persecution in the past, many deaf individuals decide not to speak whether as a way to avoid ridicule or because they see no reason to communicate in that way.
If you ever meet a deaf person, with hearing assistance or not, you will soon see that they're no different than you. The notions made years ago are truly appalling and we must try to be better people who treat them like everyone else. I love my boyfriend so much and it doesn't matter to me.

[Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great crash course into the history of deaf communities worldwide and more specifically in the United States. You also get a little insight into deaf culture, but definitely need to read another book with that focus to learn more details. If you like historical non-fictions that help paint a more complete view of the intricate web of history, then add this to your read list.

[Jonathan Frederick Walz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a "down home" vibe that some may find irritating. The co-authors bring in many personal anecdotes that seem more about the authors than about the issue in question. I also was hoping for a history of ASL in the U.S., but this book is more an introduction to American deaf culture (which has some history, but history is not the emphasis). For a general audience.

[Stephanie Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a riveting book, but if you are interested in history that focus on deaf people including technology, changes in education and especially focusing on successful deaf people, this is a great book. I read it for a book club and I do feel like I benefited from reading it.

[Casandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book for my ASL class and found it very informative and taught me a lot about deaf culture.

[Flesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of information here about the history and culture of deaf and hard of hearing folks. I didn't love the writing style.

[bluerose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really 2.5 stars

[Rebeca Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for school, and it was interesting but organized kind of weirdly. Important topics but I didn't love the writing.

[Arianna Mortensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for fun, and it was a firehose of great information! Great history, great insights.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this was a book I read for my sign language class, learning the history of the dead community was interesting and fascinating to me. I felt hooked. So glad I took the class and was able to read this book. Definitely worth it.

[Kimberly Brantley-Sallee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great information but not the most well written book. Very dry and really nothing more then stacks of information bound together. I love learning about deaf culture but I would not have finished this book had it not been required reading.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative with a lot of great insight into the deaf community.

[Mills College Library]

EBOOK

[Sierra Swenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great resource on Deaf history and culture, but difficult to get through. Dry and dense.