The deaf community and culture at a crossroads: issues and challenges

The deaf community has seen the development of increasingly sophisticated hearing aids and other assistive technology, a rapid increase in the number of deaf children with cochlear implants, growing acceptance of American Sign Language (ASL), and recognition of Deaf culture. Each of these developments has proponents and critics. There is also ongoing controversy about the most appropriate methods for educating deaf children, especially issues of language and communication. This article uses social construction theory as a framework for discussing these developments and controversies and the diverse perspectives on what it means to be deaf. The authors make recommendations for social workers and other professionals with the central theme that all professionals must be free of bias about choices available to and made by parents of deaf children and by deaf individuals.