#deaf rep

Everyone's heard of Felix Song, lead singer of America's most popular boyband. Unfortunately, so has Natalie Nielsen, although she thinks he's just an annoying rich kid from her hometown. But when his little sister's hearing loss worsens, Felix offers Natalie a job that could save her family's Deaf Center: teach him ASL while on tour.

I Hear The Sunspot is a lovely read. It’s heartwarming and filled with a love that’s built on a foundation of friendship. I liked that we’ve got a bit of a grumpy x sunshine thing going on. I liked that Taichi was so open with his emotions and he wasn’t afraid to let them show. And Kohei. He was just so quiet and kept to himself. I really felt for him and I hated that he had to go through everything that he did, especially with people not understanding him or making things accessible for him.

I think the only thing that I didn’t like about this manga was the way a lot of the ablism was handled. I wish that it was handled differently…or better? I don’t think those are quite the right words that I’m looking for, but they’re close enough. There were so many opportunities for things to be challenged and it only happened a couple of times. I hope in future volumes that that happens more.

If you’re coming to this list from a reblog, please click through to the original post as it’s likely been updated with more content!

Please note I haven’t read everything on these lists, so I can’t speak to all they contain, ya dig?

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Bouncey’s Deaf Jaskier fics - On the path - Jaskier whump & a love confession - Cute love confession - by @bounce-a-coin-off-your-witcher​​

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Blind Jaskier - Jaskier is born blind and navigates the world with a cane and dog, he finds Geralt and starts following him on the path - by @girl-in-red-crossing​

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--> I’ll note I’m being careful with this list. If a character loses their hearing or something strictly for whump purposes and/or the author doesn’t seem to have experience/have researched what they’re writing/etc, I won’t include the fic on the list. I may not add to it, which is why it’s sat in my drafts so long, but I think it shouldn’t die there haha. 

I’m not really updating this anymore, I’m tired y’all. Please feel free to reblog with your own additions, or make your own list and link this one on it <3

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Rating: 3★ of 5

Release date: Apr 5, 2022

This was the first book I've read that had actual deaf representation, they were not side characters in this story, this in fact, highlighted their culture. I appreciated how there were parts of the book that served to teach the reader basic ASL, the history of sign language, the discrimination the Deaf experience, and how schools for the Deaf in the past were shut down. The latter is one of the major conflicts in this book, alongside the controversy of cochlear implants. It was interesting to read about which also showed how there was a lack in resources for these.

Through the eyes of the three main characters we get to see three different experiences in the community as well. One is February Waters, the headmistress of River Valley School for the Deaf and hearing daughter of deaf parents; Charlie Serrano, deaf daughter of hearing parents; and Austin Workman whose family was deaf generations back. Through them rise the themes of rebellion, and respect; these remain strong all throughout. The book starts with the announcement of missing students in the school and the rest of the chapters move back in time to see why and how that came to be. This wasn't very heavy on plot and was slow to build on conflicts, it's more of a day in the life kind of book, and considering what the author wanted to achieve based on the author's note, I think it suited well. The writing was great and flowed smoothly. I liked the characterization of the three main characters, but considering that this was mainly set in a high school, the two teen mains and some side characters could have that petty streak now and then. And thinking of these side characters, I think some of them deserved some more page time as well.

However, despite the book's slow build up, I was surprised by how abrupt the resolution was. That said, I would have appreciated the book more had there been a more definite ending. The main characters were left with their problems still unresolved and it was unclear whether or not that would remain so or things could be better for them. Aside from that, the romance irked me (it was heavier on it than I expected). Nevertheless, this was a very easy and enlightening read. Hoping to see more books like these in the future.