Identifying stereotypes and prejudices against the Deaf community and Sign language: barriers in the educational field

Abstract

This doctoral thesis, directed by Dr. Ricardo Moreno Rodríguez and Dr. Rosa María Espada Chavarría, explores the stereotypes, prejudices, and barriers faced by deaf people—specifically users of Spanish Sign Language—within the Spanish educational system. Its main objective is to identify how these perceptions and attitudes affect access to education and impact the broader deaf community. The research is structured around three complementary studies. The first investigates the barriers experienced by deaf individuals with higher education through questionnaires. The second expands on this by exploring their educational experiences from a quantitative perspective. The third study adopts a qualitative approach, focusing on older deaf individuals through life-story interviews and visual portraits, including transcriptions of signed language. This mixed-methods approach offers an in-depth understanding of their experiences and educational challenges. The findings confirm the persistence of stereotypes and prejudices that limit the academic, social, and professional opportunities of deaf people in Spain. They also highlight the insufficient institutional recognition of Spanish Sign Language. These results emphasize the urgent need for inclusive educational policies that respect and value the linguistic and cultural identity of the deaf community, ensuring equal access to quality education.