Deaf Media is a type of Community Media

First thing first, I want to go over the definition of a community media. I define Community Media to include individuals and organizations who produce or are involved in media (radio, TV, print, internet, etc) which is aimed at serving the needs of particular communities or subcommunities, be they geographical, ideological, cultural, etc.

Further, these media are independent of large corporations or other large organizations which are significantly divorced from the community the medium attempts to serve. Emphasis is given to organizations and individuals whose motivation is not purely commercial or (economic) profit-driven. Community and Grassroots media are a first step to returning voice to interests other than large multinational corporations.

I just want to make it known that a community media does not necessarily means it is just geographical, just about one town, one city...it is can be much more than that. It can be a cultural, ideological, ethnticity, more.

In summary, the purpose of having a community media, is to allow all to create a voice for the voiceless, allowing them to be heard by all. This allows the viewers, readers, listeners to learn more about the community that is being portrayed.

I am focusing on the Deaf community and its media because I believe many people have so many misunderstanding about a Deaf person and their beliefs. Through the Deaf media, it advocates for Deaf arts and to developing cultural, educational, and professional opportunities for the Deaf community. Through Deaf Media, it promotes the general public’s awareness, acceptance, and appreciation of Deaf people.

The Deaf and hard of hearing communities in the United States comprise nearly 30 million people. They live largely cut off from the general population that surrounds them and—too often—determines policy for them. They have less than full and equal access to cultural events, less than full and equal access to broadcast information, less than full and equal access to participating in society.

The situation is even more critical for Deaf children. Ninety percent of them are born to hearing parents, which leave them largely cut off from the language community of their own families.
But hearing society is cut off, too—cut off from learning about and experiencing the language, culture, and art of the Deaf world. And major cultural and educational institutions are cut off from serving the Deaf community, a population they want to reach.

There has been and continues to be a crucial need to bridge these divides that cut off community from community. There is, in a sense, a need to make the Deaf world hearing and the hearing world Deaf. Deaf Meida can build those bridges, to make those connections between communities, and to advocate for those who need a voice. It helps major cultural institutions work with the Deaf community, thereby ensuring that community’s full participation in society.It exposes the hearing world to the richness of Deaf culture, which promotes Deaf arts and the professional development of Deaf artists. It strives to increase education and opportunity for Deaf individuals. And, it works to foster mutual awareness, acceptance and understanding between the Deaf and hearing worlds.