How Do Deaf Adults Define Quality of Life?

Six deaf adults defined quality of life (QOL) in personal interviews. Questions were based on an eight-domain QOL framework: physical well-being, emotional well-being, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, personal development, material well-being, self-determination, and rights (Schalock & Alonso, 2002). The interview process had three phases. First, a pilot study (N = 3) evaluated the questions for logic, clarity, and applicability. Next, six deaf adults participated in videotaped, structured interviews. Then four deaf adults participated in videotaped, structured follow-up interviews. Interpretive coding was used in data analysis to establish themes across participants. Five QOL themes, as explained by the participants, emerged from the interviews: (a) Being deaf was integral to who the study participants were. (b) Friends and family were important. (c) Independence was valued. (d) The local vocational rehabilitation services department hindered QOL. (e) Multiple problems existed with interpreters and interpreting in the medical field.