Identity constructions of deaf adults

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effects of daily life experiences of hearing-impaired parents and the communication experiences they experience in their relations with the hearing and their children who are CODAs. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 hearing-impaired parents (3 female and 4 male). Phenomenological analysis was used to analyze and interpret the data obtained from the interviews. As a result of the analysis, the research findings, "Identity Discrimination Identified by Deaf Identity and Its Unique Society", Group Identities: Internal-Group and External-Group Differences ", "Deaf Community as a Social Group, "Social Institutions That Enhance the Experience of Common Identity", "Social Problems: Power and Identity Policies in the Context of State Practices" and "Educational Problems: Schools of Deaf". It was found that the participants adopted the deaf identity as their social identity which was differentiated from the disability identity due to participants' exposure to the prejudice and discriminatory attitudes, which are attributed to the deaf as an external group. The main determinant of the deaf community and social identity is the variable of the sign language (Turkish Sign language). It was stated by the participants that in the social field, original educational institutions, associations and locals reinforced their identification with deaf identities. Finally, the participants stated that the state policies and practices developed specifically for the deaf identity were insufficient. The thematic contents obtained within the framework of the deaf identity are discussed within the framework of the body and power in the context of disability, stigmatization and discrimination. Key Words: Deaf Identity, Having CODAs, Identification, Stigmatization, Othering, Body and Power Relationship