Challenging Equality Law: The Deaf Legal Dilemma

Wilks, Rob

Abstract

Imagine a deaf child yearning to learn on their own terms, a deaf professional barred from their dream job because they don’t quite fit the mould, a deaf senior passed from pillar to post within health care systems vulnerable and uncertain, and the vast majority of deaf people not able to access the most basic of all services. This is the reality for many deaf people ... but why?

Deaf people face pervasive inequalities despite existing equality laws. This book exposes the hidden cracks in the legal system, revealing a fundamental dilemma: are deaf people disabled or a linguistic minority?
Unmasking the ‘Deaf Legal Dilemma,’ this ground-breaking analysis challenges traditional disability models. It proposes that framing deafness as solely a disability hinders progress, forcing deaf people into a restrictive box. The key? Reframing deaf people as a distinct language minority deserving of unique rights and protections.

‘Challenging Equality Law: The Deaf Legal Dilemma’ is more than a legal study; it's a call to action for deaf individuals, legal professionals, educators, advocates and allies to achieve true equality for deaf people and their communities. Discover practical solutions, improve Deaf-disabled rights, embolden language-minority rights, and build a future where ‘equality’ isn't just a word, but a lived reality for every deaf person.

• Book Type: Monograph
• Deposit Date: Sep 9, 2024
• Publisher: Hart Publishing
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12875046
• Contract Date: Feb 29, 2024