I am a Deaf Survivor

I Am a Deaf Survivor
11 × 14 inches
Oil on canvas
January 2012
SOLD

Description:
This painting is about Deaf survivors, and I am one of them. It honors those who endured the oppression and lasting effects of oralism. Many Deaf children were raised in educational systems that emphasized lipreading and speech while denying them access to sign language, often resulting in language deprivation, isolation, and emotional trauma.

Alexander Graham Bell was a prominent advocate of the oral method in Deaf education. He promoted speech and lipreading as the preferred means of educating Deaf children and opposed the use of sign language in schools. Although educational practices have evolved, some schools, speech therapy programs, and professionals continue to prioritize spoken language over sign language.

For many Deaf people, these experiences left deep and lasting scars. Some endured emotional, psychological, and even physical abuse within oralist educational environments. This painting stands as a testament to their resilience and survival. It declares that Deaf survivors will not forget the harm caused by language suppression and affirms the importance of protecting the rights of Deaf children to acquire both American Sign Language and English.