The image of the «deaf» in culture and the vectors of its cultural comprehension

Understanding the phenomenon of «deafness» is possible in line with the accepted social and medical concepts of disability. However, the cultural concept of deafness has become the most widespread in recent years. According to these concepts, the linguistic and cultural identity of the community of deaf and hard of hearing people who speak Russian sign language is recognized. The level of an active participation of native speakers of the Russian sign language in general socio-cultural processes is increasing. Nevertheless, many negative stereotypes about deaf and hard of hearing people persist. A retrospective analysis of the image of the «deaf» makes it possible to identify the causes of stigmatization of a person with hearing impairment, to trace the process of formation of the concept of «culture of the deaf». The positive image of the «deaf» as an active subject of cultural processes is spreading today with the help of museum exhibition and educational projects.