Deaf Studies in Literacy

This chapter summarizes the major trends that run through the chapters of the Oxford Handbook on Deaf Studies in Literacy and contextualizes suggestions for where researchers and education professionals should turn their attention. Three clear trends emerged in the curating of the chapters. First, we have made notable progress in our understanding of the literacy process, but many aspects of literacy were left behind. This must be rectified. Second, it is time for a renewed focus on stronger, more robust research that takes the field beyond simple correlations to explanations of causation. These should elucidate the remaining pieces needed to understand fully the components of the literacy process. Third, research and practice must cease working in silos. Significant collaboration between the university and the classroom must become the norm. Finally, information for the purpose of information should no longer be the purpose of research. Rather, collaborative researchers must focus on the development of classroom and home interventions that will improve literacy outcomes for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners.