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The Ragin' Cajun

50 minutes 34 seconds

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An outdoor image of a house built over still water and surrounded by trees. Caption. Eventually found a new home in French-speaking Louisiana.

Neurologist/author Oliver Sacks tells the story of Danny Delcambre, a Cajun chef, who suffers from Usher Syndrome, a congenital condition where people are born deaf and then gradually lose their sight. Explores the nature of deaf culture and the richness of American Sign Language, which includes a touch-based variation called "tactile signing." Reveals a portrait of a community of deaf-blind people who find strength in facing the future together. A BBC production.

Media Details

Runtime: 50 minutes 34 seconds

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Man with brown hair and beard pointing right index finger out and away from camera. Caption. Uh, have you taught your children sign language.
1 hours 35 minutes 12 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Man looks at the camera as he uses sign language. Large photo of a young boy is on his left. Caption. To learn sign language and meet deaf people.
52 minutes 34 seconds
Grade Level: PT/TT
Man bends over wheel well of a car, hands around wheel hub. Caption. It's been a win, win situation for both Jose and owner, Ken Smith.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 13
5 minutes 27 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Woman holds both hands, palms forward while looking at a man sitting across from her. Caption. And utilizes her skills to translate English and A, S, L.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 14
6 minutes 29 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Woman in a football stadium wearing cheerleader uniform holds pom-poms downwards while cheering. Caption. I don't even realize there are people out there.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 18
7 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Man dressed in chef's jacket holds baking pan and scoops sauce from bowl. Caption. And did internships at various hotels in northern California.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 15
5 minutes 24 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Woman performs on stage, head tilted back, mouth open, arms bent with fingers outstretched. Caption. There are a lot of different ways you can perform.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 16
8 minutes 15 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Nineteenth Century replica of the Amistad being repaired outdoors. Caption. You know, I worked on this project for 2 years.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 17
6 minutes 23 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
2 men wearing disposable hair caps talk over a large industrial-sized mixer on floor. Caption. He tested his family recipes by opening his own business.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 6
27 minutes 6 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Baseball player runs to first base as first baseman holds up his mitt. Coach and umpire watch base.  Caption. And they helped me become the person that I am today.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 7
32 minutes 51 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12

Viewer Comments

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Darrell "Chuck" H. (TUCSON, AZ)
    July 21st, 2020 at 12:50 AM

    This video was exceptional. As a hearing person it provided great insight not only the Deaf Community but those with Usher's Syndrome and how they deal with it with a positive attitude. To date, this is the best video I've seen on those who are Deaf and who might also have this syndrome.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Susan M. (Springboro, OH)
    February 20th, 2019 at 09:58 PM

    This is an honest but uplifting account of individuals with Usher syndrome. I show it once a semester to students who find it very informative. The content highlights the role of "community" in coming to terms with this disability.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Jane H. (Selden, NY)
    April 20th, 2016 at 12:32 PM

    To my knowledge, DCMP is the only source for The Ragin' Cajun, which I have found to be a very powerful teaching tool in my ASL Studies Program.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Judy S. (Portland, ME)
    February 10th, 2016 at 10:27 AM

    The Ragin' Cajun is an exemplary movie that gives a feel for the spirit of the Deaf Blind Community and their experiences that not only informs and inspires, but strongly motivates individuals to link to and want to provide a needed service of Deaf-Blind interpreting and Sighted Services that can offer individuals who are Deaf Blind and Dual Sensory impaired to contribute to providing a resource that can be used by this community to maximize their independence and, even more importantly, their impact on society in general. Oliver Sacks is both sensitive and insightful. He uses his unique candor to draw those unfamiliar with this community into its heart. The positive and culturally sensitive approach to this community offers all of us access to what can best be characterized as "Deaf Blind Gain."

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Anonymous (BEAUMONT, TX)
    October 19th, 2015 at 09:21 AM

    This was a great piece of media to explain about Deaf Blind and Cajun culture. thank you

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Jane H. (Selden, NY)
    December 17th, 2014 at 10:11 AM

    The Ragin' Cajun is a rare intimate look at the lives of people with Usher's Syndrome. It's interesting to contrast the somber tone and terminology used by Oliver Sachs with their smiling faces and successful lives of the Deaf-blind people he documents. This is great for Deaf Culture classes.