The Silence Between Us

The phrase “the Deaf community” can refer to either a single group or to a smaller subdivision of this larger group. When it refers to the Deaf in general, the term acknowledges the cultural community that has evolved among Deaf people worldwide. It includes people with varying degrees of Deafness, their friends and family members, and their advocates and sign language interpreters. These people share common visual languages, such as sign languages and lip reading, and thus their community can be an important source of companionship and understanding in a world that does not always accommodate Deafness. They also share many experiences that are distinct from the experiences of those outside the community. Often, they face similar obstacles and can function as a support network for one another. They may work together to advocate for social changes that reduce barriers by changing legal policies or educating the general public. Sometimes, the term “Deaf community” also refers to a smaller subdivision of the larger community, acknowledging that smaller Deaf communities often form around shared locations, values, or heritage.

Both the larger Deaf community and smaller groups within this community have worked hard to improve accessibility, inclusion, and understanding. They want hearing people to understand that Deaf people are just as capable as hearing people, provided that their communication style is accommodated. Many Deaf people still face barriers to education, employment, and important services like medical care because of a lack of access to interpreters and assistive technology. Sometimes they have to navigate environments that make lip reading or signing difficult or that fail to take their needs into account in other ways—such as when important announcements are made only orally over a loudspeaker. The Deaf community advocates for equal access and inclusion in society. Even though the hearing world’s understanding of Deafness has grown over the years, many Deaf people still encounter stereotypes and experience discrimination from hearing people. Sometimes even well-meaning people inadvertently make Deaf people feel singled-out and alienated, by shouting at them or speaking very slowly, or by accidentally excluding them from conversations in groups where multiple people are talking at once. Not all Deaf people are the same, and that what works for one Deaf individual—technological interventions like cochlear implants, for instance—is not necessarily desirable for another Deaf individual.

Gervais tackles many of these issues In The Silence Between Us. Maya’s previous experiences as a Deaf person make her anxious about what she will encounter in her new school, and she sometimes jumps to conclusions about hearing people’s intentions because of these past experiences. She also encounters genuine obstacles, in the form of insensitivity, misunderstanding, and outright discrimination. Maya recognizes that many of the obstacles she faces are unfair, but she is a proud member of the Deaf community and has no desire to be hearing again. She is willing to work hard to overcome any barriers that stand in the way of her individual goals, even as she continually advocates for a fairer world for everyone.