The Nationwide Analysis Group (NRG) and the Deaf West Theater just lately launched a groundbreaking report on Deaf illustration within the leisure business. It consists of ideas the right way to be extra inclusive.
Methodology
When CODA gained the Academy Award for Greatest Image with a predominantly Deaf solid in February of 2022, it impressed this research to investigate Deaf illustration. In September 2022, Deaf West Theater, an artist group in Los Angeles that seeks to be “the inventive bridge between the Deaf and listening to worlds,” collaborated with the Nationwide Analysis Group. Collectively, they surveyed 1,000 members of the Deaf group and 1,000 U.S. shoppers.
Learn extra: The state of Deaf illustration in media and leisure
Findings: Deaf Illustration within the Leisure Business
A foremost discovering was an rising wave of curiosity in Deaf tales. For instance, 56 p.c of Deaf people reported watching no less than one type of media that featured a Deaf character throughout the previous six months. That is along with 43 p.c of listening to people reporting they’ve watched no less than one additionally. Moreover, 73 p.c of listening to audiences suppose that Deaf illustration has improved over the previous 12 months. This was paralleled with Deaf audiences, with 79 p.c agreeing.
The report highlighted how CODA additionally elevated public curiosity, with 66 p.c of Deaf shoppers confirming that its success on the Academy Awards contributed to the rising consideration. Nonetheless, the analysis additionally shows the flip aspect. About 57 p.c of Deaf shoppers reported that they “by no means” or “not often” felt that their private identification was mirrored in motion pictures. Furthermore, Deaf characters are a few of the least distinguished minority teams in media, with 49 p.c of shoppers corroborating this sense.
That is particularly regarding, as “76% of Deaf folks consider that the best way their group is portrayed in fiction influences how they’re perceived in the true world,” the report said.
“Seventy six p.c of Deaf folks consider that the best way their group is portrayed in fiction influences how they’re perceived in the true world.”
Learn extra: New Research Claims 63% of Deaf Shoppers Say Hollywood Perpetuates Adverse Stereotypes
Mediums Displaying Deaf Content material
Different issues the research introduced up had been the restricted genres and mediums that embody Deaf illustration. For instance, solely 31 p.c of listening to shoppers reported that they’ve seen Deaf characters in books. The genres containing Deaf illustration are primarily confined to documentaries, comedy, and drama. Researchers famous little to no illustration in animation, motion, or science fiction.
An extra consideration: the intersectional identities which can be portrayed in media. For instance, “Within the US, listening to shoppers are over twice as more likely to have seen media that includes white Deaf folks as they’re to have seen media that includes Deaf folks of shade.”
That is compounded with how the Deaf group is anxious about Deaf characters being portrayed as objects of pity. The report said that 70 p.c detailed this fear. One other 74 p.c expressed dissatisfaction that content material surrounding Deaf people is especially about being Deaf, in comparison with different features of life.
Accessibility Points for the Deaf Group
A last space of focus surrounding Deaf illustration within the leisure business was on accessibility points. The information displayed 58 p.c of Deaf shoppers noticing accessibility obstacles in reside theater and music. Round half of them additionally reported that lack of captioning was a typical problem.
The analysis prompt increasing inclusivity for Deaf illustration by way of a number of methods:
- Rent extra Deaf expertise. To emphasise why that is wanted, 69 p.c of Deaf members reported that it’s crucial to them that Deaf roles are at all times occupied by Deaf people or actors for true authenticity.
- Make content material absolutely accessible to Deaf audiences. That is particularly necessary as many nonetheless wrestle with accessibility.
- Embrace a higher number of Deaf illustration. This is able to incorporate all kinds of genres and mediums, in addition to characters with intersectional identities.
Learn extra: Deaf illustration is missing. This is the reason it issues.
Rachael is a highschool pupil with single-sided deafness from California, United States. She was born along with her listening to loss and presently wears the Phonak Cros B and makes use of the Phonak Roger On and Compilot II. Rachael works as a Model Ambassador and Content material Creator for Listening to Like Me. She passionately advocates to create a extra accessible world for disabled youth by way of artwork and writing.
