A Lens on Deaf Identities (Perspectives on Deafness)
"In this most comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of identity and identity development among deaf and hard-of-hearing people, Leigh richly compiles, compares, contrasts, and critiques the existing research and literature. She capably debates the appropriateness of traditional and racial/ethnic identity development theories, their strengths and weaknesses and their utility for applications to the identities and identity development of deaf people...The author is open, honest, and provocative in her presentation, taking bold steps to address and mediate controversial issues in identity and identity politics...The book respects and balances the multiple realities and experiences of individuals and the complex forces that contribute to these realities...This is a sincere, validating, and courageous stance against a backdrop of multiple competing social tensions, which renders the book an important source of critical community dialogue."--PsycCRITIQUES"Like peeling a multi-layered onion, Dr. Irene Leigh gets to the 'core' of the complex concept of identity formation of d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Her recognition that identities can't be 'boxed in by categories of prescriptive deaf identity categories' will make this a pivotal book for all who write about deaf people."--CHOICE"The depth in which Leigh discusses d/Deaf identity goes far beyond this review. Suffice it to say that educators, researchers, students, and any curious soul who wants to learn about the far-reaching complexities of what is involved in d/Deaf identities should read this book. The sheer volume of her research demonstrates that deaf identity cannot be labeled as a medical/auditory issue but rather is one that is far more complex, varied and even conflicted. Instead of placing the burden of deafness on d/Deaf individuals, Leigh's insightful book reveals that the responsibility must be squarely placed on the shoulders of society as a whole."-- Kristen Laubscher Johnson, The Ohio State University,Disability Studies Quarterly