A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted with African American families of deaf children. In-depth interviews were conducted focusing on the families’ experiences in adjusting to their roles as caretakers, in particular, concepts of etiology and communication. More specifically, this study focused on African American caretakers’ etiological conceptions of deafness; their perceptions of deafness and deaf people; their perceptions of communication choice and usage with their deaf child; and their responses to their roles as caretakers of a deaf child. Content analysis was utilized in extracting recurrent themes among families. Ten families were interviewed upon approval from Howard University and Gallaudet University Institutional Review Boards.
Afrocentricity, a paradigmatic and theoretical framework, guided this study. Afrocentricity is predicated on philosophical assumptions (i.e., worldview) generating from contemporary African America and traditional Africa and has its own distinct attributes. For example, Afrocentricity’s cosmological aspects entail viewing a structured reality from the perspective of interdependency where all elements of the universe are interconnected. Its ontological aspects assume all elements of the universe (e.g., people, animals, inanimate objects, etc.) are spiritual and are created from this universal, spiritual substance. Epistemologically, a great deal of emphasis is placed on an affective way of knowing and obtaining information. Axiologically, interpersonal relationships are significantly underscored.
The middle ground promoting cultural competence in research and practice has been termed multiculturalism, for which Afrocentricity is a part.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) will be able to: Recognize that a study looking specifically at African Americans is still part of a global perspective in that African American culture is “imported cultural baggage” as with any American ethnic group, except Native Americans and to some extent Mexican Americans. Articulate the philosophical underpinnings of an Afrocentric paradigm and how these underpinnings (values) can help facilitate a framework for viewing a multidimensional, interconnected, and interrelated structure of reality. Apply qualitative measures in conducting research on populations that are oral-based cultures (e.g., non-Western groups).
Keywords: Culture, Deaf
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.