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Reviews
“Over the course of this memoir, Knill effectively advocates for overcoming assumptions that people with deafness face -- starting with the notion that anyone who can't hear must want to hear. Her prose is clear and straightforward, whether she's offering tips on how to talk around people with hearing loss, exploring the ramifications of ableism, or discussing unexpected side-effects of cochlear implants. Overall, readers will find this to be a unique blend of self-reflection and astute societal commentary that challenges them to reexamine the ways they interact with the world around them. A compassionate and inspirational remembrance.
"I enjoyed reading Rebecca's personal experiences. Her writing is excellent, smart, and funny, and the informative pieces will not be overwhelming for readers new to this community. I was nodding along, saying “yes!” aloud, and highlighting a myriad of quotes (99, to be exact) … Radio Head Gal is an essential read for deaf and non-deaf, disabled and non-disabled alike.
"I am in love with this book! As someone who has struggled with hearing issues through life and just recently learned of my hearing loss, this book came at the exact right time.It's truly motivating reading through each chapter and seeing how we all can make accommodations for other and also advocate for how important those accommodations are. It was also very eye opening for me because I never realized how stigmatized disabilities are in our world. Seeing how things progressed during the author's lifetime was really neat as well and it would seem like we've come a long way. But the author highlights how some people still want disability to be hidden or how some people still don't always want to be accommodating.This book was truly interesting and I could barely put it down. I think anyone and everyone can get a wealth of information out of this book and it might just change the way you think of and approach other people!
Publishers Weekly
“…she goes a step beyond traditional accessibility talk and puts forth the refreshing concept that disability is not disabling; rather, it is society’s refusal to accommodate that is disabling. Knill opens readers’ minds to a new world, sharing that “a person with a disability might not have chosen their condition, [but] that doesn’t mean they actively wish for another life.” While Knill’s experiences with disability are front and center here, she also delves into an array of other life circumstances: her childhood and parental dynamics, friendship, faith, community, romance, and work, all with her hearing loss—or “deaf gain” as an alternative term—expertly woven throughout. Knill includes a call-to-action at the book’s close, asserting that “those who claim that diversity goals are discriminatory… dismiss the fact that they have been given a head start; the deck is already stacked in their favor.” Takeaway: Eye-opening memoir and call-to-action on accessibility for individuals with disabilities.”
– Publishers Weekly
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