THE PROTECTION OF DEAF IDENTITY: OPERATIONAL MODELS, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVES

This dissertation analyses the evolving legal conceptualisation of disability and its impact on the protection of the rights of persons with sensory disabilities, with particular focus on Deaf identity (or Deafhood). It traces the shift from a medical model of disability, centred on individual impairment, to a social and rights-based model that assigns responsibility to society for removing structural barriers. The research adopts a comparative perspective, further exploring the legal status of sign languages, recognised as natural languages and as a cornerstone of Deaf culture, yet still subject to fragmented legal protection. The work also analyses the role of assistive technologies and artificial intelligence in fostering inclusion, while emphasising the need for regulatory safeguards against discrimination.