As America becomes more conscious of multiculturalism and diversity, certain subcultures remain overlooked. One of these is the deaf community. According to a 1990 study, approximately 60,000 school-aged (6-21 years old) individuals are deaf. This figure does not include elderly people or children not yet diagnosed.

Still, the deaf community is a strong force. Society chooses to associate deafness with deficiency, but people in the deaf community concentrate on the unique characteristics of their subculture. There is a new device available known as the Cochlear Implant, which gives deaf people some hearing. Not everyone in the deaf community accepts this implant because many feel that these people are trying to change themselves by trying to correct their deafness.

Gallaudet University, located in Washington, D.C., uses American Sign Language (ASL) as its official language. People at Gallaudet who do not use ASL are the minority. "It is very strange to enter the University, because it is so quiet. No one speaks," says Marcia Straehle, a graduate student in speech pathology at The College of New Jersey. In fact, people who speak are looked down upon.

In 1988, Gallaudet held elections for a new president, and many controversies began over who it would be. "The Deaf President Now (DPN) movement, a week-long, student-led protest in the spring of 1988 that led to the selection of the first deaf president at Gallaudet University, was a defining moment for the deaf community," says Donald F. Moores, in his book, [i]Educating the Deaf[/i].

Now, with technology and support from various groups, the deaf community is beginning to have more of an impact on the country, and the world.

Although this university was founded by hearing men over 100 years ago, the students wanted to see a deaf person in a position of power at Gallaudet. In recent years, many deaf people have obtained prestigious statuses-first, deaf university president King Jordan, then a deaf Miss America. However, is this such a large leap for the deaf community? Both of these talented individuals have almost perfect speech, a rare trait among deaf people. The majority of deaf people do not speak well enough for hearing people to understand, so these two individuals are extremely exceptional in the deaf community.

Also, over 90% of deaf children have hearing parents, making it even harder for deaf people to find their individuality. Most deaf children learn sign language from other children, not their parents. "Many deaf people feel that hearing parents are not capable of raising a deaf child, but these parents learn," said Barbara Strassman, coordinator of the deaf education program at the College of New Jersey.

Still, the deaf community has made large strides in forming its own identity. In the early nineteenth century, most deaf children were integrated into mainstream education and society. There were no separate organizations for these individuals. There was a time in this nation, when the government was against the use of sign language, and instead promoted only oral education. "In 1880 the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was established to serve as an advocate of the deaf in the United States," said Moores. This organization came at a time when deaf people were oppressed in the professional and educational world. Now, with technology and support from various groups, the deaf community is beginning to have more of an impact on the country, and the world.

"Just because many people do not speak a language, does not mean it should not be taught: a language is still a language." -Barbara Strassman

Yet, some still stigmatize deafness as a handicap, not a culture. However, deaf people are excelling in many fields, including all aspects of theatre, politics, and religion. ASL has its own poetry that is recognized as art in the deaf community. On the other hand, ASL is not categorized with other foreign languages such as Spanish or French. For instance, New Jersey is one of three states that have not accepted Resolution 103, which encourages foreign language departments in high schools to teach ASL. Many educational institutions have not integrated sign into their foreign language programs, which illustrates the hesitation within the country to accept the deaf community.

"Just because many people do not speak a language, does not mean it should not be taught: a language is still a language," said Strassman.

Activism in the deaf community does not stop at the educational level. There is a unity among these people, a bond seen at Gallaudet and other deaf communities. It is a subculture often mistaken for a handicap. But the deaf community is focused on advancing, and will not stop at trying to achieve its goals.