Pray, J. L. and I. K. Jordan (2010). "The deaf community and culture at a crossroads: issues and challenges." Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation 9(2): 168-193.
This article examines the deaf community and culture in the context of recent developments in assistive hearing 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. The authors use social construction theory as a framework for discussing these recent developments, controversies and diverse perspectives on what it means to be deaf. The authors argue that all professionals must be free of bias about choices available to and made by parents of deaf children and by deaf individuals. The research methods used include survey and policy analysis, as well as the exploration of a short case study. The authors explore ideas about the social construction of deafness, changes in racial and ethnic diversity within the deaf community, and the case of the Gallaudet University in Washington, DC ('the flagship educational institution for deaf people') protest of 2006, where the deaf community and culture were at a crossroads regarding changes, conflicts and diverse perspectives within the deaf community.