Stigma and deaf education

What is it about?

This autoethnography presents a narrative account of the author’s experience of living and coping with the stigma of deafness. First, the autoethnographic stories explore the author’s experience of face-to-face encounters with hearing people in which he attempts to pass himself off as normal. The stories illustrate how stigma played a central role in the framing of social interactions inside and outside of school. Second, the article draws on Erving Goffman’s theories on stigma and identity management in an attempt to illuminate an understanding of what the author was coming to terms with. Finally, the author offers his own reflections on the stories including details of some life-changing moments that provided the impetus to transform the stigma of deafness into a positive attribute.

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Why is it important?

This auto ethnography explores issues that are relevant and contemporary and speak to marginalised people's experiences of stigma. The article enable readers to better understand how culture contributed to the stigmatizing of my deaf identity and the ways in which one could learn from the experience and use it to transform their lives in positive ways.