Hello. I’m Thomas K. Holcomb. Most people know me as Tom. I want to welcome you to this website, Deaf Culture by Thomas K. Holcomb. This site was developed primarily to serve as a companion to the textbook, Introduction to Deaf Culture, which I authored in 2012 and again in 2023. This second edition contains 3 new chapters. They are Technology and its impact on the Deaf Community, Multi-identities of Deaf Individuals, and Allyship. These 3 new chapters complement the existing 15 chapters from the 1st edition which covers various aspects of Deaf Culture and Deaf Community such as Disability vs. Culture, Rules of Social Interactions, and Universality of the Deaf Experience. Also included in the book are sections on Deaf literature such as
ASL poetry and storytelling. Because the book was written in English, it does not do justice to the beauty of original works in ASL. For that reason, this companion website was developed to make it possible for you to view the work as originally created. Also new to the 2nd edition is the summaries of each chapter provided in ASL. Also, on this website, you will find information on my other works including the book I co-edited with Dave Smith. ASL summaries of each chapter are also available for this book, Deaf Eyes on Interpreting. In this book are pieces from approximately 25 different Deaf authors sharing their perspectives on Deaf-centered interpreting.
Additional information related to my work on Deaf Culture, Deaf Education, and Interpreting can found on this website. They include books, videos, book chapters, and articles I’ve prepared along with training packages and curricula related to deaf culture. Most of these can be accessed by clicking on the URLs listed on this website while others are available for purchase. Thank you for your interest in the fascinating world of Deaf people.
ASL poetry and storytelling. Because the book was written in English, it does not do justice to the beauty of original works in ASL. For that reason, this companion website was developed to make it possible for you to view the work as originally created. Also new to the 2nd edition is the summaries of each chapter provided in ASL. Also, on this website, you will find information on my other works including the book I co-edited with Dave Smith. ASL summaries of each chapter are also available for this book, Deaf Eyes on Interpreting. In this book are pieces from approximately 25 different Deaf authors sharing their perspectives on Deaf-centered interpreting.
Additional information related to my work on Deaf Culture, Deaf Education, and Interpreting can found on this website. They include books, videos, book chapters, and articles I’ve prepared along with training packages and curricula related to deaf culture. Most of these can be accessed by clicking on the URLs listed on this website while others are available for purchase. Thank you for your interest in the fascinating world of Deaf people.
Thomas K. Holcomb is Professor of Deaf Studies at Ohlone College in Fremont, California where he teaches courses related to Deaf Culture, Deaf Education, and Interpreting to both deaf and hearing students. Previously, he taught at San Jose State University and National Technical
Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Tom is considered a leading authority on Deaf Culture. He was awarded with the Teacher of
the Year Award by American Sign language Teacher Association (ASLTA) in 2002. He is well
known for his dynamic presentation style which he uses to bring together deaf and hearing
cultures. He has presented throughout the world including Austria, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica,
Hong Kong, Japan, Sweden, Viet Nam, and Zimbabwe.
Tom is also an accomplished storyteller and is the featured performer in the Boys Town Press videotape series, Read with Me: Stories for Your Deaf Child. His collaborations with Anna Mindess have resulted in several exciting teaching tools on Deaf Culture including two multi- media curricula, “A Sign of Respect: Strategies for Effective Deaf/Hearing Interactions” and “See What I Mean: Differences Between Deaf and Hearing Cultures.” In addition, they collaborated in developing a Cultural Detective training module on Deaf Culture, and a book entitled “Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters. He also co-authored “Deaf Culture, Our Way” with his brother, Sam and father, Roy. The book is
now considered a classic in deaf literature. Tom’s latest book projects include the second edition of the “Introduction to Deaf Culture” textbook which was released by Oxford University Press in 2023 and “Deaf Eyes on Interpreting” which was published by Gallaudet University Press in 2018.
Tom’s academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Gallaudet University, a Master’s degree in Career and Human Resources Development from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Rochester.
Click to view Thomas K. Holcomb's Curriculum Vitae.
Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Tom is considered a leading authority on Deaf Culture. He was awarded with the Teacher of
the Year Award by American Sign language Teacher Association (ASLTA) in 2002. He is well
known for his dynamic presentation style which he uses to bring together deaf and hearing
cultures. He has presented throughout the world including Austria, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica,
Hong Kong, Japan, Sweden, Viet Nam, and Zimbabwe.
Tom is also an accomplished storyteller and is the featured performer in the Boys Town Press videotape series, Read with Me: Stories for Your Deaf Child. His collaborations with Anna Mindess have resulted in several exciting teaching tools on Deaf Culture including two multi- media curricula, “A Sign of Respect: Strategies for Effective Deaf/Hearing Interactions” and “See What I Mean: Differences Between Deaf and Hearing Cultures.” In addition, they collaborated in developing a Cultural Detective training module on Deaf Culture, and a book entitled “Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters. He also co-authored “Deaf Culture, Our Way” with his brother, Sam and father, Roy. The book is
now considered a classic in deaf literature. Tom’s latest book projects include the second edition of the “Introduction to Deaf Culture” textbook which was released by Oxford University Press in 2023 and “Deaf Eyes on Interpreting” which was published by Gallaudet University Press in 2018.
Tom’s academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Gallaudet University, a Master’s degree in Career and Human Resources Development from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Rochester.
Click to view Thomas K. Holcomb's Curriculum Vitae.