Where can I find other deaf people?

Question

I have spent 20 years in the "hearing world" and I have never found anyone that was deaf other than people signing to each other in restraunts and so on. I want to find a support group or something so I can befriend other deaf people so I won't feel alone anymore.

Answer 1

I have menieres disease and I am on my way to being deaf, hopefully I will hold out for a while but there is a great website I go to often called
menieres.org. Is has a lot of different forums for different people so check it out. Some on there are totally deaf and some are like me just on their way. Hope to see you there.

Answer 2

I'm not totally sure if you're deaf or not. By your question, I assume you're not but why would you be lonely? You can start by taking ASL (American Sign Language) classes at your local or community college. I'm sure your teacher will tell you more about deaf or hard of hearing community. After you become proficient in ASL you can make friends in government agencies that work helping the deaf/hard of hearing community. You may even get a job at a University by being a notetaker, translator, etc....

There are many options to consider. I wish I could give you more specific information but you don't specify what state you live in and the area. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I'd start with the various resources at Gallaudet University-- gallaudet.edu.

However, a hint: the majority of people with hearing imparments who socialize with each other are part of the "Deaf Culture"--and they communicate with ASL (American Sign Language). If you don't know ASL, and want to enter the kind of social groups you are talking about--you need to learn ASL. It's like entering any culture--you have to know the language to really communicate.

Also--some members of Deaf Culture are clannish. This is not being obnoxious (usually)--it is a defense mechanism that derives from their history. Before you jump in, I'd suggest learning something about this culture--below are two readable but high quality books that will give you the picture--and will probably help you understand how society treats you better, as well.

Baynton "Forbidden Signs"
van Cleve "Deaf History Unveiled"

Answer 4

which school do you attend? you should have gone to MSSD (Model Secondary School for the Deaf) I am Hard-of-Hearing and I went there for two years. I withdrew from there because I realized that I don't belong there because there are too many deaf people who doesn't use voice. I prefer people who signs at the same time they talk. But this school has a great society for Deaf people. There are Deaf chat room too. Hope I helped!

Answer 5

Hi; My mother is deaf, she was born that way. Although she does not sign,she does read lips and is self taught. I can't walk in your shoes, but I have seen what the loneliness can do. After my dad passed away, my mom was lost, so she joined a club for the hearing impaired (politically correct)...she calls it deaf peoples club. She is very happy going there..

I hope you can find a group, I don't know of any for young people..but I'll ask my mom if she knows.

You take care.

Answer 6

Would you consider someone who is profoundly hearing impaired? I'm not deaf (yet) but I have lost roughly 50% of my hearing.

I was born that way. I wear hearing aids and I took speech therapy as a child to learn how to talk normally. I do not know ASL except for the alphabet and about 30 other signs. I was raised in a hearing world.

You're not alone. There are lots of us out there. Feel free to email me.

EMT

Answer 7

If you live in Canada, the Canadian Hearing Society (http://www.chs.ca/services/gss.html) can put you in touch with support groups in your area. I have dealt with their counsellors on several issues, and they were very helpful.

If you live in the USA, the Chicago Hearing Society (http://www.chicagohearingsociety.org/Index.htm) can probably put you in touch with a support group in your area. They also publish Deaf Line, Events for the Deaf Community online (http://www.chicagohearingsociety.org/CHSsub/Deaf%20Line/DeafLine.htm).

Good luck. I know how frustrating and isolating it can be to be deaf in a hearing world.

Answer 8

http://www.gallaudet.edu/

There are a lot of different groups associated with Gallaudet that perhaps you can find online. If you're near Washington DC, you can run down. They have all kinds of deaf dance performances and night clubs and plays geared towards the deaf community.

Also, if you're close to a major city you can look through meetup or one of the other organizations below.

http://deafness.about.com/od/deafhohorganizations/Deaf_and_Hard_of_Hearing_Organizations.htm

Good luck.

Answer 9

Have a look for your local Deaf Club, you can usually find them via local D/deaf organizations.

Answer 10

This seems to be a good site:

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