Dorothy Miles: Poet, Activist, And Inspiration To The Deaf Community

Dorothy “Dot” Miles was an ambitious Deaf woman artist, Welsh poet, activist, and teacher who paved the way for many in the British Deaf community and worldwide. Her contributions made significant changes to British Sign Language (BSL) and the way poetry is viewed. Learning more about Dorothy Miles’s past, contributions, and work as a poet can inspire anyone looking to understand accessibility, Deaf rights, and the inclusion of sign language into the arts and teaching. Those seeking accessible mental health care may benefit from trying online therapy.

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Who was Dorothy Miles?

How did Dorothy Miles impact the Deaf community? Poetry, British Sign Language, and other impacts 

Dorothy primarily explored Deaf literature but was passionate about all art forms, including theater and other types of writing. Below are some of her achievements and impacts. 

Accessibility in poetry: Inspired by Dorothy Miles’s pioneering of British Sign Language poetry

Before Dorothy’s work, spoken word poetry was primarily considered an auditory event. After performing her poem “Language for the Eye” on the National Union of the Deaf’s TV show Open Door, Dorothy was invited to perform more poetry for Deaf and hearing audiences. 

Poetry could be performed in BSL, and it frequently offered nuance and detail to each line of the poem through the emotional facial expressions and movements accompanying each sign. Dorothy’s work inspired other Deaf artists to share their work despite potential pushback or ableism.

Accessibility in teaching and tutoring British Sign Language 

Dorothy began to work as a teacher and school counselor at a school for Deaf adults in 1961 and joined the National Theatre of the Deaf in 1967. There, she started creating sign language poetry and performing for audiences of Deaf and hearing people. 

In the '70s and '80s, Dorothy created the first-ever teaching manual for BSL tutors in Great Britain and helped found the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP). She also contributed to the British Sign Language Dictionary alongside the British Deaf Association, which led to increased support for students nationwide. 

Self-advocacy and Deaf rights

Dorothy believed strongly in the importance of Deaf advocacy work and the inclusion of sign language in the arts. After her death, the Dorothy Miles Cultural Centre was founded to support Deaf people in the UK and to continue Dorothy’s legacy of workshops, BSL tutoring, and advocacy events. Now called Dot Sign Language, the organization raises awareness of BSL as a language and teaches the language to various organizations nationwide. 

Dorothy Miles’s experiences with mental health challenges

Dorothy Miles lived with what was formerly called “manic depression.” The condition would now be referred to as one of several subtypes of bipolar disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Miles also experienced several adverse events in childhood, including the meningitis infection that caused her to become Deaf. 

In 1993, Dorothy died by suicide, and this was ultimately considered a result of a depressive episode. Her community had not been aware of her mental health struggles until much later, when family members spoke up about her challenges in the documentary Dot, which explored the legacy of her life. Dorothy’s suicide was painful for many in the Deaf community, and her story has showcased the importance of mental health support and education for all. Her legacy lives on in the inspiration she brings to many contemporary Deaf poets. 

The importance of Deaf inclusion in the arts

Sign language is frequently left out of theater performances, spoken word performances, music, and other visual and auditory art forms. One of Dorothy’s missions was to increase the accessibility of these spaces and showcase that anyone can perform if they wish to do so. As a pioneer of BSL poetry, she paved the way for other poets to perform on stage or behind a camera. 

According to the National Deaf Children’s Society, Deaf children can become more confident in themselves, develop their creativity, and improve their communication skills by participating in the arts. 

Adults can also benefit from creating artwork, as expressing oneself and building a passion alongside peers in the community can reduce loneliness and increase self-esteem. Inclusion in the arts can mean accessibility training for all theaters and art spaces, accessible art courses in higher education, and the inclusion of ASL and BSL in various areas of creative performance.

Mental health in the Deaf community: Common mental health challenges faced by Deaf individuals

The prevalence of various mental health disorders in Deaf individuals may differ from hearing individuals. Below are a few statistics on these connections. 

Mood disorders 

Mood disorders can be common in Deaf individuals but often go undiagnosed due to stigma, lack of accessible healthcare options, and a lack of understanding of symptom presentation in people with disabilities. 

Although updated evidence may be needed, a 2013 study compared the rates of mental health disorder diagnoses of both Deaf and hearing psychiatric outpatients. Of these individuals:

• 3.7% of Deaf psychiatric outpatients and 14.2% of hearing psychiatric patients had bipolar disorder
• 15.8% of Deaf outpatients and 5.2% of hearing outpatients had an impulse control disorder
• 18.7% of Deaf outpatients and 30.1% of hearing outpatients had anxiety disorders
• 11.2% of Deaf outpatients and 4.9% of hearing outpatients had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• 3.3% of Deaf outpatients and 0.3% of hearing outpatients had pervasive developmental disorders
• 27.8% of Deaf outpatients and 48.4% of hearing outpatients had substance use disorders
• 10.4% of Deaf outpatients and 2.9% of hearing outpatients had an intellectual disability

More research on the presentations of mental illness in Deaf people may be beneficial to reduce stigma and increase access to care. 

Trauma

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) individuals tend to be at a higher risk of experiencing trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some people might face bullying, which can lead to PTSD and other mental health challenges. Others might develop PTSD from an illness or injury that led to them becoming Deaf. 

Suicide 

There is limited research on suicide in the Deaf community, although cases like that of Dorothy Miles have brought awareness to this issue. However, although updated evidence may be needed, research suggests that Deaf people may have a higher risk of psychiatric illness and a lack of access to relevant and effective healthcare, which can put them at a higher risk of suicide. Accessible suicide prevention education may be beneficial.

How to find a Deaf community in the arts  

Many organizations have been developed to support Deaf children and adults in finding community in the arts. Below are a few communities to check out in North America and the UK: 

• Museum of Deaf History, Arts, & Culture
• Deaf Arts Academy (Canada)
• Deaf Visual Arts UK (DVAUK) 
• National Theatre of the Deaf
• Deaf West Theatre
• Deaf Broadway 
• The Deaf Poets Society (for contemporary Deaf poets) 
• The Deaf Professional Arts Network (D-PAN)  

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Support options for mental health challenges

Dot’s story can raise awareness of the importance of accessible and effective mental health care. Some Deaf people may struggle to seek therapy for their concerns because of a lack of accessible and affordable options. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may provide a solution. 

Online therapy platforms generally allow clients to choose between phone, video, and live chat sessions from any location with an internet connection, allowing them to receive care in the way that works for them. For those who don’t want to use an interpretation service or do not want to use phone or video sessions, live chat can offer a way to receive support without having to speak. In addition, online platforms have a more extensive database of therapists, so requesting a therapist who speaks ASL or BSL may lead to more results than those that are available in your area. 

Studies suggest that online therapy can be more effective than in-person therapy in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. In a 2018 study, an online intervention led to a greater quality of life and more significant symptom reduction than its in-person counterpart.