Deaf Parents, Hearing Systems: Challenging Audism in Custody Cases
- OVW Approved?
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Yes
- Description
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Deaf parents often face unique challenges when accessing court and other legal systems, which may be exacerbated if the perpetrator is hearing. These challenges can also be compounded by disability-based bias or audism, with some opposing counsel arguing that Deafness prevents safe and effective parenting. While there may be serious consequences whenever a child is separated from a protective parent, when Deaf survivors are separated from their children, Deaf children may be deprived of the consistent language access essential for cognitive and emotional development, while hearing children may lose the ability to communicate meaningfully with their Deaf parent. Effective advocacy requires providing culturally affirmative and accessible services and challenging misconceptions about Deaf parents so that custody decisions are based on facts, safety, and the best interests of the child.