A McBurney Center representative discussed the culture surrounding deafness Tuesday as part of Associated Students of Madison’s Diversity Week.
ASM’s Diversity Week is part of a campaign to raise awareness about student diversity, including diversity outside the context of race, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tuesday’s events focused on diversity surrounding disabilities.
The speaker, Kate Skarda, addressed the audience in sign language about Deaf culture. She said through an interpreter that Deaf culture, with a capital D, is a distinct culture, and people within the Deaf community have unique educational, recreational and social experiences.
Skarda also discounted common stereotypes, such as the belief that individuals who are hard of hearing can not drive or do not enjoy music, as well as the belief that deafness is a disability rather than a barrier in the “hearing world.”
UW-Madison junior Marie Greuel said she thinks the university should offer more opportunities for students to take classes in sign language and interpreting.
“[Deafness] is...another facet of diversity, and it should be acknowledged and praised,” Greuel said.
