African American Mothers with Deaf Children: A Womanist Conceptual Framework

Abstract

Although the incidence of disability is more prevalent among African Americans than any other ethnic group in the United States, empirically based guidelines grounded in the unique history and experiences of African American caretakers of children with disabilities are limited. A qualitative, exploratory design consisting of in-depth thematic interviews with 12 nondeaf African American female caretakers of deaf children was used to identify unique responses and approaches incorporated in raising deaf children of African descent. The data analysis plan entailed a modified grounded theory approach. Womanism was used inductively and deductively in organizing emerging themes as an explanatory model.