My Deaf World

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Flying Our Own Flag

20210614

A five-part series of essays that explores what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain. Each essayist has their own personal experience and take on what being part of the deaf community means to them. Some share the little-known divisions and politics of the deaf community and others share what makes the community so special and unique to the point where some deaf people consider themselves as a linguistic minority rather than disabled.

In the first essay, proud activist Abigail Gorman, takes a personal look at what it means to be deaf when most of society would prefer you not to be. She shares what it was like growing up in a deaf family who were proud of their deaf identity but why she struggled to embrace her deafness for a long time. Abigail tells us of the arguments she had with her mum when she first decided to get a cochlear implant - her mum saw getting a cochlear implant as a rejection of the deaf community - and how she has finally come to terms with her deaf identity while learning more about a concept called audism - the belief that the ability to hear language and use speech makes one superior to those who are deaf and use sign language. Abigail ends the essay on why she is now proud to be deaf and how the deaf community is a linguistic minority. She affirms her new-found belief that deafness is not a disability but a cultural identity.

My Deaf World is produced by Camilla Arnold and Sophie Allen with Mark Rickards as Executive Producer. It is a Flashing Lights Media production for BBC Radio 3.

Abigail Gorman's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

The Deaf Club

20210615

Australian-born academic Robert Adam takes us on a nostalgic journey through his early childhood and shares what it was like growing up in a family with deaf parents and siblings. He explores the dichotomy of writing an essay for a medium that he's never had access to - radio. Within this exploration, Robert also considers what his voice might sound like if he could hear and speak. Robert takes us on a trip down memory lane as he shares his childhood memories of realising that not everyone in the world were deaf, the mystery of how telephones work and his fond memories of the Deaf Club' that was the centre of the deaf community. He ends the essay on the thought that when people think of being deaf as an isolating disability, they are not taking into account the rich, diverse and rounded cultural life that Robert and other members of the deaf community experience.

My Deaf World is produced by Camilla Arnold and Sophie Allen with Mark Rickards as Executive Producer. It is a Flashing Lights Media production for BBC Radio 3.

Robert Adam's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Big D Versus Little D

20210616

Film-maker Teresa Garratty gives us a frank and honest insight into what it was like to lose her hearing at the age of 18 and how she had to learn `how to be deaf`. There was no manual that she could read, no tutorial on You Tube with tips on how to cope with hearing loss. She discusses how her family and friends would express concerns about her getting involved in `that deaf world` as they saw the deaf community and its culture as alien. Teresa decided to learn sign language so that she could join the deaf community. But she reveals how she then realised that sign language can be perceived differently within the deaf community. Sign Language can be like currency - sometimes it's a case of the more fluency you have the wealthier and more respected you become.

My Deaf World is produced by Camilla Arnold and Sophie Allen with Mark Rickards as Executive Producer. It is a Flashing Lights Media production for BBC Radio 3. A British Sign Language version was filmed, edited and subtitled by Fifi Garfield.

Teresa Garratty's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Belonging

20210617

Sannah Gulamani, a research assistant at University College London, shares with us how the existence of deafness can actually be seen as a positive, and not a negative, because of inventions such as subtitles and video calls. Sannah, because of navigating through a world of can'ts', decided to study music at university. But her love of music is often questioned by those who believe that music is the preserve of those with a good ear'. Sannah delves deeper to discuss how her intersectional identities are often misunderstood, and what identity means in terms of belonging. Within this exploration, she examines her interest in the linguists of British Sign Language and what propelled the career shift from music to sign language linguistics. Finally, Sannah asks whether it can be claimed that the deaf community is a space that is welcoming and safe for all deaf individuals. She looks into how racist and offensive signs are still being used as a result of white fragility and privilege.

Sannah Gulamani's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Hearing In A Deaf World

20210618

Sign Language Interpreter Sandy Deo looks back at her cultural heritage and considers the realities, privileges and responsibilities of growing up as a child of a deaf adult. She talks frankly about how she knew council and banking details from a young age because she had to interpret for her Mum but how this was an advantage as it meant that she was reading Matilda at the age of six. Sandy tells funny anecdotes of how she and her siblings would take advantage of having a deaf mum but also talks honestly about the realities of having to interpret for her mum at family events, as other members didn't know how to sign, and how being her Mum's ears means she now can't sleep deeply because of years of training to listen out for any odd noises in the house. But Sandy ends the essay on how being a child of a deaf parent is an identity that she'll proudly own as the experience has instilled in her a drive to fight for, and to stand up for, those who perhaps need a louder voice.

Sandy Deo's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Flying Our Own Flag	20210614	A five-part series of essays that explores what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain. Each essayist has their own personal experience and take on what being part of the deaf community means to them. Some share the little-known divisions and politics of the deaf community and others share what makes the community so special and unique to the point where some deaf people consider themselves as a linguistic minority rather than disabled. In the first essay, proud activist Abigail Gorman, takes a personal look at what it means to be deaf when most of society would prefer you not to be. She shares what it was like growing up in a deaf family who were proud of their deaf identity but why she struggled to embrace her deafness for a long time. Abigail tells us of the arguments she had with her mum when she first decided to get a cochlear implant - her mum saw getting a cochlear implant as a rejection of the deaf community - and how she has finally come to terms with her deaf identity while learning more about a concept called audism - the belief that the ability to hear language and use speech makes one superior to those who are deaf and use sign language. Abigail ends the essay on why she is now proud to be deaf and how the deaf community is a linguistic minority. She affirms her new-found belief that deafness is not a disability but a cultural identity. My Deaf World is produced by Camilla Arnold and Sophie Allen with Mark Rickards as Executive Producer. It is a Flashing Lights Media production for BBC Radio 3. Abigail Gorman's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
02	The Deaf Club	20210615	A five-part series of essays that explores what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain. Each essayist has their own personal experience and take on what being part of the deaf community means to them. Some share the little-known divisions and politics of the deaf community and others share what makes the community so special and unique to the point where some deaf people consider themselves as a linguistic minority rather than disabled. Australian-born academic Robert Adam takes us on a nostalgic journey through his early childhood and shares what it was like growing up in a family with deaf parents and siblings. He explores the dichotomy of writing an essay for a medium that he's never had access to - radio. Within this exploration, Robert also considers what his voice might sound like if he could hear and speak. Robert takes us on a trip down memory lane as he shares his childhood memories of realising that not everyone in the world were deaf, the mystery of how telephones work and his fond memories of the Deaf Club' that was the centre of the deaf community. He ends the essay on the thought that when people think of being deaf as an isolating disability, they are not taking into account the rich, diverse and rounded cultural life that Robert and other members of the deaf community experience. My Deaf World is produced by Camilla Arnold and Sophie Allen with Mark Rickards as Executive Producer. It is a Flashing Lights Media production for BBC Radio 3. Robert Adam's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
03	Big D Versus Little D	20210616	A five-part series of essays that explores what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain. Each essayist has their own personal experience and take on what being part of the deaf community means to them. Some share the little-known divisions and politics of the deaf community and others share what makes the community so special and unique to the point where some deaf people consider themselves as a linguistic minority rather than disabled. Film-maker Teresa Garratty gives us a frank and honest insight into what it was like to lose her hearing at the age of 18 and how she had to learn `how to be deaf`. There was no manual that she could read, no tutorial on You Tube with tips on how to cope with hearing loss. She discusses how her family and friends would express concerns about her getting involved in `that deaf world` as they saw the deaf community and its culture as alien. Teresa decided to learn sign language so that she could join the deaf community. But she reveals how she then realised that sign language can be perceived differently within the deaf community. Sign Language can be like currency - sometimes it's a case of the more fluency you have the wealthier and more respected you become. My Deaf World is produced by Camilla Arnold and Sophie Allen with Mark Rickards as Executive Producer. It is a Flashing Lights Media production for BBC Radio 3. A British Sign Language version was filmed, edited and subtitled by Fifi Garfield. Teresa Garratty's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
04	Belonging	20210617	A five-part series of essays that explores what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain. Each essayist has their own personal experience and take on what being part of the deaf community means to them. Some share the little-known divisions and politics of the deaf community and others share what makes the community so special and unique to the point where some deaf people consider themselves as a linguistic minority rather than disabled. Sannah Gulamani, a research assistant at University College London, shares with us how the existence of deafness can actually be seen as a positive, and not a negative, because of inventions such as subtitles and video calls. Sannah, because of navigating through a world of can'ts', decided to study music at university. But her love of music is often questioned by those who believe that music is the preserve of those with a good ear'. Sannah delves deeper to discuss how her intersectional identities are often misunderstood, and what identity means in terms of belonging. Within this exploration, she examines her interest in the linguists of British Sign Language and what propelled the career shift from music to sign language linguistics. Finally, Sannah asks whether it can be claimed that the deaf community is a space that is welcoming and safe for all deaf individuals. She looks into how racist and offensive signs are still being used as a result of white fragility and privilege. My Deaf World is produced by Camilla Arnold and Sophie Allen with Mark Rickards as Executive Producer. It is a Flashing Lights Media production for BBC Radio 3. A British Sign Language version was filmed, edited and subtitled by Fifi Garfield. Sannah Gulamani's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
05	Hearing In A Deaf World	20210618	A five-part series of essays that explores what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain. Each essayist has their own personal experience and take on what being part of the deaf community means to them. Some share the little-known divisions and politics of the deaf community and others share what makes the community so special and unique to the point where some deaf people consider themselves as a linguistic minority rather than disabled. Sign Language Interpreter Sandy Deo looks back at her cultural heritage and considers the realities, privileges and responsibilities of growing up as a child of a deaf adult. She talks frankly about how she knew council and banking details from a young age because she had to interpret for her Mum but how this was an advantage as it meant that she was reading Matilda at the age of six. Sandy tells funny anecdotes of how she and her siblings would take advantage of having a deaf mum but also talks honestly about the realities of having to interpret for her mum at family events, as other members didn't know how to sign, and how being her Mum's ears means she now can't sleep deeply because of years of training to listen out for any odd noises in the house. But Sandy ends the essay on how being a child of a deaf parent is an identity that she'll proudly own as the experience has instilled in her a drive to fight for, and to stand up for, those who perhaps need a louder voice. My Deaf World is produced by Camilla Arnold and Sophie Allen with Mark Rickards as Executive Producer. It is a Flashing Lights Media production for BBC Radio 3. A British Sign Language version was filmed, edited and subtitled by Fifi Garfield. Sandy Deo's personal take on what it is like to be part of Britain's deaf community Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.