Work

The Plight of Language Deprivation in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children Born to Hearing Parents: A Call to Action

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children who experience language deprivation face heightened risk for long-term cognitive, social, and emotional harm. These outcomes are not due to parental unpreparedness but arise from entrenched social biases and professional practices that that frame deafness itself as a problem to be corrected rather than prioritizing early access to a fully accessible natural language. A natural signed language, American Sign Language (ASL), a visual language with its own grammar and syntax, provides full linguistic access for DHH children and supports healthy development across domains. This paper calls on deaf-aware social workers to challenge outdated models, advocate alongside families, and collaborate with medical professionals and policymakers to ensure culturally appropriate, rights-based interventions. Centering full language access from infancy is essential to preventing language deprivation and safeguarding the developmental, relational, and human rights of DHH children.

Source: Journal of Human Rights and Social Work

DOI: 10.1007/s41134-026-00441-y

Authors: Charleen K. Sculley, Isabel Teller-Davis, Liza Barros-Lane

Institutions: Tulane University, University of Houston - Downtown

Language: English

Topic: Hearing Impairment and Communication

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290