A serious question for any people out there who are Deaf?

Question

I am a 33-year-old Hearing person. I am going to school to become a Social Worker and I am taking ASL as a foreign language.

I am thankfully having many of my misconceptions about Deaf Culture shattered and learning a whole lot more than just sign language.

I am appalled at the state of education for Deaf people, attitudes of Non-Deaf people, and many other things I am learning, which I never knew existed. I am personally ashamed that I never knew most of this existed.

If you are Deaf, what are your personal thoughts about Hearing people and their thoughts, attitudes, and misconceptions about Deaf Culture?

Answer 1

i have not got a hearing impairment, however i do work with people that have learning difficulties visual & hearing impairments.
When i am out with one of the service users and we speak to each other using makaton sign langauge we are looked or view as some sort of lepers.
In one incident we went to have a coffee in a cafe which was empty apart from a few customers, we were sent round the corner out of sight out of mind.
the staff were then arguing who was going to serve us. so i got up turned and sat at a table in the middle of the cafe. the staff started to talk about us so i turned looked and asked for service. They slammed down our drinks started muttering about our type of people so i turned and asked what they ment by our type of people.
i then informed them that i did not have a hearing impairment and if they had herd of the disability discrimination act 1996.
they fell silent and looked very sheepish.

we are stared at ignored when using makaton.

Makaton is just another way to communicate, there are many different ways to communicate verbaly texting email letters and makaton.

Answer 2

I'm not deaf yet, but I had a friend who turned off his hearing aid when his wife ranted.

It can't be all bad.

Had a neighbor. His son used to talk to his dad in a normal voice. He would began to lower his voice until it was a whisper, with his lips moving.

His dad went bananas trying to adjust his hearing aid. He almost got killed when his dad realized.

Not making fun, just jest. I know you're serious.
Good luck.
I have known amazing deaf people. And how many learn to speak! I've done business with some.

I knew a successful blind attorney. One would not have known if he didn't carry a cane. Bus to office, elevator, lunch....no outside help. I'm sure he used a recorder in his work.

Answer 3

I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Can you please repeat that?!!!!