Deaf Interpreter Conference 5
June 22 - 26, 2026
Workshops
Tracing Deafhood: Exploring the Origins and Spread of Deaf Cultural Identity through Mapping
Presented by:
CSUN Deaf Studies Dept
Community
.15 CEU
(GS)
This presentation shares selected Tracing Deafhood project data to identify how Deaf cultural identity has formed and spread by utilizing ArcGIS software to map and visually determine the chronological sequences and patterns in the establishment and spread of Deaf schools, Deaf clubs, Deaf sport clubs, and national Deaf associations worldwide. Eriksson (1998), Ladd (2003), and Lane, Hoffmeister, and Bahan (1996) provide inspiration and theoretical frameworks.
Geographic pattern analysis determines how Deaf identity has spread globally, as those four Deaf community ‘pillars’ are Deaf identity development venues. All four ‘pillars’ and their characteristics can be plotted on a map to study their geographic origins, spread, and interplay.
A PowerPoint slideshow of maps will be shown to demonstrate the visual power this methodology offers. This research is a valuable contribution to understanding and preserving Deaf people’s access to signed languages and the global Deaf community’s history.
Jordan Eickman
Jordan Eickman is a Deaf Professor of Deaf Studies at California State University, Northridge. His research interests include Deaf cultural geography, Deaf sport/Deaflympics history and Deaf religious history. He earned a PhD in Deaf Studies (University of Bristol, England) and a BA in Cultural Geography (Arizona State University). Jordan just completed a seven-year term as the Deaf History International secretary-treasurer and is a four-time Deaflympics athlete in water polo. He enjoys traveling, following sports, and reading about manned spaceflight.