things I should not do to a person who is deaf?

Question

recently, I know a new friend who is deaf. since I never have a deaf friend before. so I am worry that some of my actions may be offensive to him. we have classes together in college. because i dont know asl, so i just talk to him in mails.so yea, please give me some advice. is there anything I should be aware of? what deaf people dont like? what is considered an offensive action? I really dont want to offend him in any way. so please give me some advice.thankyou very much

P.S. also, how can we become good friend? i dont know asl....in class, sometimes i talk to him through pencil and paper. well, it works but it takes a long time....what can we talk about in mails? actually, I lack the skill of making new friends. what should I do?

P.S. please also tell me that how you know their culture...do u know asl too? or you know this because you have a lot of deaf friends?

Answer 1

put yourself in their shoes if you were deaf what would you do? first if you can hear today and you woke up tomorrow deaf you would have to learn sign language get your friend to teach you... the church i attend had a deaf lady there and signing is so beautiful and one day you could be that way its just like learning any other language if you talk and move your hands when your talking just bout every motion will mean something i learned asl from a lady at our church who could hear but knew the deaf lady and taught anyone in the church who was willing to learn for her to communicate its so fun i love signing there is still alot i need to learn but you can go to your local library and check out books on asl and teach your self its so simple and lot of it has to do with facial expressions also they know how you are feeling by the look on your face.....good luck and they can become some of the bestest friends you will ever have just think you might be out in public and a child who is deaf is lost or something and you could help him or her to get where they need when others cant help

Answer 2

I know ASL and have student taught a first year class for a year. Things that you want to avoid are things like yelling, not facing him when you're talking, over emphasizing your words, feeling pity for him ... if you want his attention, simply put yourself in line of sight and give a little wave to get his attention, don't go around slapping backs. If you can't get in front of him, tap his shoulder or place your hand on his shoulder. Deaf people are typically pretty patient with hearing people. You can continue to write things and mail ... it'd be nice and show that you want to become friends if you were to learn some ASL. There are some good websites out there to learn from ....
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm
http://www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/signs.htm

those are some websites, but the best way to learn is by communicating with your friend.

Answer 3

I don't think there's anything special that would offend him. Of course everybody is different, including deaf people.
My daughter had a deaf friend in high school. They talked in emails and on paper, like you do. Talk about anything you feel like. Her friend went to music concerts too, so you never know what will interest a person. Apparently he enjoyed the vibrations and the show.
Maybe you could go someplace with him, like for lunch to start with. Ask him what he does for fun and if you two can do something together, maybe he'll have ideas. Maybe you could go to the library together.

Answer 4

I'm taking a Deaf studies class from a Deaf professor. He explained to us that the term "hearing-impaired" is not generally appreciated in the Deaf-World. Though thought of as politically correct, many in the Deaf community would rather simply be called Deaf. Those in Deaf-World see themselves, not as disabled, but as a linguistic and cultural minority.

Answer 5

why don't u learn sign language,and just don't ever point at him and start laughing or just l;aughing before u tell him the joke.
I have a deaf aunt and it's hard 2 communicate,but i learned sign language from her daughter who is my age (my cousin)
and so now we've been able 2 talk.

Answer 6

i do no longer think of the term 'tone deaf' is getting used wisely right here - it is whilst, working example, somebody performs a C on the piano, yet you pay attention an F somewhat. it is approximately listening to incorrect notes somewhat than something to do with sound high quality. it is actual that the choice of tone deafness is acceptable pitch, yet this question isn't approximately pitch identity, so it is not any longer inevitably precise to declare you have it. as quickly as we sing, we pay attention ourselves in yet differently than others pay attention us because of the fact of resonation in the pinnacle, so as that could could desire to do with it. yet maximum persons do no longer comprehend how extensive the spectrum of vocal high quality is. it incredibly relies upon on who you're being whilst in comparison with. whilst it includes American Idol, it is not any longer approximately regardless of in case you're stable or undesirable, it is approximately regardless of in case you have have been given all of it or no longer. My voice is classically skilled and persons have been announcing for years how surprising i'm, however the certainty is that if I have been to audition for an opera or yet another expert production in classical music, i does no longer stand a great gamble. it is available to be an surprising singer, yet no longer a grasp, and it relies upon on your foundation of assessment. endure in strategies although that regardless of in case you haven't any longer have been given the singing voice you need, you could constantly gain it with acceptable education with a vocal coach.

Answer 7

A big thing is that most of us can lip read, do you know if he can?

Answer 8

Don't molest them. They don't like being molested.