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Deaf Culture

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Deaf Culture
Deaf Culture in America

CAPSTONE PROJECT
By Heather Velez
Liberal Arts Capstone
LIB-495-OL010
Dr. David Weischadle
April 19,2013

Abstract
The purpose of this research paper is to answer the major question, what is Deaf culture? There are three sub-questions that will assist in answering the major question: (1) What constitutes Deaf culture? (2) How has American Sign Language impacted the Deaf community? (3) What are the major issues that are being addressed in Deaf culture today? With these questions answer, it will give a better understanding as to what Deaf culture is and that it is indeed a culture.
The methodology of my research is based off of internet, books, and a survey. My methodology of this paper is clear and simple. It was hard to find a lot of credible sources that should be used in this paper. A survey of one question to the general public in order to prove a point and purpose of this paper. Gallaudet University website has amazing sources to use and also helped guide in choosing the right books/websites to do the research. In this paper there will be a lot of different terms that will confuse the readers. I will take the time now to go over a few of the terms that will be used in this paper. * ASL (American Sign Language) * Deafhood (Deaf Culture, Deaf pride) * ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) * Bi-Bi (Bilingual-Bicultural) * CODA (Child of Deaf Adult(s)) * NAD (National Association of the Deaf) I
With my research I have found a lot of interesting discoveries. Not only were the books and internet research but with the survey I conducted of one simple question, what is Deaf culture? After asking this question to 50 people I have received some interesting answers that were very surprising. This research has taught me a lot of interesting concepts and issues that are being faced today in the Deaf communities.

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Table of Contents Introduction …………………………………………………………. 1 Literature


Cited: J, Michelle. "Deaf Culture Uncovered." Articlesbase (2008): n.pag Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2005 Wilcox, Sherman. American Deaf Culture: An Anthology. Burtonsville, Maryland: Linstok Press, 1989
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