Annotated Bibliography: Deafness/Disability

Annotated Bibliography: Deafness/Disability - problematising notions of identity, culture and structure In the essay, “Deafness/Disability - problematising notions of identity, culture and structure, Mairian Corker focuses on the tension between Deaf and disabled people. As Corker analyzes the division between Deaf and disabled people she reflects on Margaret Archer’s views. Corker explains that Margaret Archer viewed “ the structural (‘parts’) and cultural (‘people’) domains are substantively different, as well as being relatively autonomous from each other” (Corker 2002). Throughout her essay Corker talks about the different theories in Deaf studies and disability studies to explain the same issues. These issues include identity, culture,

Corker explains that deaf people are “excluded from the dominant areas of social and cultural reproduction by the perpetuation of a phonocentric world-view” (Corker 2002). She explains why this may also be a reason Deaf people feel excluded from the disability movement. This is because the movement is viewed as a reflection of this world-view because of the way it is socially organised around phonocentric language ‘norms’ (Corker 2002). Corker points out that culture is also one aspect that separates Deaf people and disabled people. She clarifies the difference between deafness and Deafness. Deafness being related to culture and deafness which relates to the ability to hear. It was interesting to read about the dichotomy between Deaf and deaf and how it affects the way Deaf people view disability. The connotation a deaf person holds behind big D and little d Deaf may reflect the way a deaf person views disability. Corker points out that the way a deaf person signs “disabled”, “disability”, and other words related to disability can show their views toward disability. She questions if some of the signs like “cripple” are intended to put social distance between Deaf and disabled people. Disability studies, on the other hand, has a more “universalist logic” (Corker 2002). Corker explains how this universalist logic assumes the inclusion of Deaf people. Corker describes how although disability