Media Representations and Social Integration: A Study of Deaf Cafes in China

Abstract

There is a large population of deaf workers in China. These individuals often face challenges in obtaining quality vocational education in their youth, further hampered by societal prejudice that questions their ability to lead normal lives. Their employment, especially in the catering sector, has been less than promising due to these combined factors. This paper explores the potential of social media as a platform to promote deaf-owned businesses and challenge prevailing biases. By interviewing the deaf owner of Sign Cafe, the study highlights how social media can not only serve as an advertising tool but also as a medium to change perceptions about the capabilities of the deaf community.