Where’s the Deaf Representation?

At a time when the publishing industry is promoting inclusivity, Fran Benson asks where are the deaf characters and what can we learn from hearing authors writing outside their experience?

Abstract

At a time when the publishing industry is promoting inclusivity and diversity, Fran Benson asks – where are the deaf characters and what can we learn from hearing authors writing outside of their own experience?

Although Fran has had hearing loss since childhood, it wasn’t until she was an adult that she first saw someone like her on the page. So, what’s it like for the 50,000 deaf children currently in the UK? Where and how can they see themselves represented in a book? Fran looks at recently published middle-grade and YA books featuring a deaf character. Predominantly written by hearing authors she looks at how they approached their books and what they did to ensure authenticity.

This talk, which represents a small part of a researched article Fran wrote during her MA, is for anyone interested in disability and deaf representation, as well as those striving for authenticity in their writing.