Deafhood

A concept introduced by Paddy Ladd that reframes Deaf identity as a process of becoming and self-actualization rather than a medical condition to be fixed. Deafhood emphasizes the possibilities and richness of Deaf experience, culture, and language, explicitly rejecting deficit-based framing. It represents a journey of exploration into what it means to be Deaf in a hearing-dominated world and serves as a counterpoint to audism. The concept has been influential in Deaf studies and increasingly informs accessibility research that seeks to design technology aligned with Deaf cultural values rather than hearing-world norms.