Research summary
Research in deaf education is shifting away from a deficit lens that explores why many deaf students do not fully develop spoken language despite available technology. Instead, many researchers are now exploring the interface between sign language and spoken language in sign bilingual programs (American Sign Language and English).
Dr. Joanne Weber, Canada Research Chair in Deaf Education, is one of them. With support from the growing momentum in sign language linguistics, bilingual education, intercultural education, sign language rights, deaf studies and rich deaf literary and artistic traditions, she and her research team are developing and testing a deaf-led, intercultural, arts-based language and literacy pedagogy for deaf learners in sign bilingual programs.