Sağırlar Topluluğunun Ayrımcılığa Uğrama Deneyimleri ve Güçlendirilmesi

Abstract

In Türkiye, which is estimated to have approximately 3.5 million individuals with hearing impairment, it is known that many members of the deaf or Deaf community do not communicate using Turkish Sign Language. Some may use devices or cochlear implants to hear, while others may experience hearing loss due to aging. A community referred to as the Deaf community, comprising individuals with hearing loss and those who facilitate communication with them, such as facilitators, advocates, family members, and other connections, communicate using a common sign language accepted nationally and locally. This language shapes a shared life experience and a sense of belonging to a common culture within this community. Due to differences in communication methods compared to those with varying degrees of hearing loss who may use auditory-verbal language, Deaf individuals are often perceived as more "disabled" and may encounter negative attitudes and discrimination in various aspects of daily life. Studies on the types of discrimination faced by Deaf individuals, both at the institutional and personal levels, have remained quite limited in the literature. In this study, experiences related to power dynamics experienced individually by Deaf individuals were addressed using the anti-discrimination approach and empowerment approach within the social work discipline, highlighting cultural perceptions of Deafness and hearing impairment and the exclusionary social norms regarding the Deaf community. The study was conducted using qualitative research methodology. In line with this, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 Deaf individuals using Turkish Sign Language, and the data obtained from the responses of the participants were analyzed using the thematic analysis method in the MAXQDA 2020 software. Accordingly, experiences of discrimination within the Deaf community, communication methods of Deaf individuals, components of Turkish Deaf culture, and the expectations of this community were identified. Deaf individuals are subjected to discrimination by being unfairly affected by sign language and interpretation systems, being deprived of access to necessary practices and legal processes in work and education, facing skeptical behaviors from the hearing community, and leading dependent lives. Additionally, adaptation strategies to the hearing community and significant components of Turkish Deaf culture were identified in this study. The roles of CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults) and interpreters and the meanings attributed to Deaf identity were emphasized. Based on the findings, it was observed that the discrimination faced by the Deaf community is rooted in the unhealthy functioning of the understanding-being understood cycle, communication, language and interpretation, employment, education, and social life issues, as well as structural discrimination issues related to accessibility specific to the pandemic. The most prominent issue among discrimination appears to be related to Turkish Sign Language policies, which hinder access to rights for Deaf individuals. Discrimination indicators include marginalization in the workplace, inability to benefit from social security rights, barriers to advancement in employment, lack of sworn and digital interpretation systems, the existence of integration policies instead of education processes focused on Turkish Sign Language, and leading isolated lives dependent on others in social life. Based on the findings, along with basic recommendations for empowering the Deaf community, a model proposal has also been presented.