In Aaron Kelstone's play, 25 Cents (2023), the audience is presented with a thought-provoking confrontation between Deaf characters who engage in a heated debate about what it means to be Deaf and the boundaries of acceptable behaviour within Deaf culture. This play provides a unique opportunity to delve into the complexities of Deaf identity and culture, as well as to consider how disability studies can offer a critical lens through which to analyse and challenge assumptions within the text. The field of disability studies has been greatly influenced by key figures such as Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, the author of Staring: How We Look (2009), co-editor of About Us: Essays from the New York Times about Disability by People with Disabilities
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One of the central themes that emerges from the play is the idea of what it means to be Deaf within the Deaf community. The characters in the play engage in heated debates about the value of sign language, "hope," and acceptance. These discussions reveal deep-seated tensions within the Deaf community about how individuals should navigate their identities in a hearing-centric world. Through a disability studies lens, we can deconstruct the binaries presented in the play (Deaf vs. hearing, sign language vs. oralism) and challenge the exclusionary practices that limit the full participation of Deaf individuals in society. Furthermore, the play raises questions about the intersectionality of disability and other aspects of identity, such as race, gender, and class. Uttered by the character, Kelly, "What about …show more content…
As we engage with the play through the lens of disability studies, we find that our own reading process is disrupted in meaningful ways. We are forced to confront our own biases and assumptions about disability and reevaluate the ways in which we understand and interact with deaf individuals. The disability studies framework prompts us to consider the structural barriers that limit the agency and autonomy of disabled individuals and the need for more inclusive and accessible spaces for all members of society. Moreover, the article titled Do Deaf People Have a Disability?, by Harlan Lane, published in Sign Language Studies in 2002, delves into the complex question of whether deaf individuals should be classified as having a disability. The historical context of the debate on whether deaf people have a disability can be traced back to the early 19th century, when sign language was recognised as a legitimate form of
One of the central themes that emerges from the play is the idea of what it means to be Deaf within the Deaf community. The characters in the play engage in heated debates about the value of sign language, "hope," and acceptance. These discussions reveal deep-seated tensions within the Deaf community about how individuals should navigate their identities in a hearing-centric world. Through a disability studies lens, we can deconstruct the binaries presented in the play (Deaf vs. hearing, sign language vs. oralism) and challenge the exclusionary practices that limit the full participation of Deaf individuals in society. Furthermore, the play raises questions about the intersectionality of disability and other aspects of identity, such as race, gender, and class. Uttered by the character, Kelly, "What about …show more content…
As we engage with the play through the lens of disability studies, we find that our own reading process is disrupted in meaningful ways. We are forced to confront our own biases and assumptions about disability and reevaluate the ways in which we understand and interact with deaf individuals. The disability studies framework prompts us to consider the structural barriers that limit the agency and autonomy of disabled individuals and the need for more inclusive and accessible spaces for all members of society. Moreover, the article titled Do Deaf People Have a Disability?, by Harlan Lane, published in Sign Language Studies in 2002, delves into the complex question of whether deaf individuals should be classified as having a disability. The historical context of the debate on whether deaf people have a disability can be traced back to the early 19th century, when sign language was recognised as a legitimate form of