Introduction: Deaf-same and Difference in International Deaf Spaces and Encounters

This is the introduction to the book "It's a Small World: International Deaf Spaces and Encounters". We start this introductory chapter with an analysis and discussion of the different kinds of international deaf spaces. In doing so, we argue for the importance and timeliness of this book. We discuss previous writing in Deaf Studies that analyzed international deaf experiences and encounters and we will discuss how this book builds upon these works and makes needed interventions. We give a general explanation of key concepts including deaf universalism, deaf similitude,” deaf geographies, and deaf space. Most importantly, we explore the concept of “DEAF-SAME”. We define the concepts “international” versus “transnational” – as both concepts are used in the book. From there, we set out the book structure, summarising key trends in each of the sections. The general conclusion is that deaf universalism has both potential and limits, and our introduction defines and analyses these in more depth.