Should being deaf be considered/treated like a disability?

by Marissa Yami Posted 2012/05/11 02:36:30

Related Topics: True, Disability, Person

29 votes
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	Yes, 'cause it is a disability.	16 votes	55%
	No, people who are deaf can function just fine.	9 votes	31%
	Undecided	4 votes	14%

I've heard that people say that deaf people should be treated as if they were a illiterate, uneducated disabled person.

Is this true?

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JanHopkins 2012/05/11 15:59:49

Yes, 'cause it is a disability.

+3
I'm going deaf and it is a disability. Obviously I didn't lose my education in the process. I can still do my job. The trouble is that I can't always understand what the boss is saying and sometimes I miss meetings because I didn't hear the announcement over the loud speaker. I also have a problem with being able to hear the sound of machines that are malfunctioning so I don't hit the kill switch when I should.It's definitely a mixed bag.
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More polls by Marissa Yami

FortunaVeritas 2012/06/19 02:21:44

Yes, 'cause it is a disability.

You really shouldn't be asking two questions at the same time with a single poll.

Yes, being deaf is a disability, but no, they should not be treated as if they are mentally deficient and have been poorly raised or otherwise abused because they have a disability.

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Reaper 2012/05/22 09:23:03

Undecided

+1
it's a disability like paraplegia but its not like they are dumb or retarded.

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penguins in the night 2012/05/11 18:19:46 (edited)

No, people who are deaf can function just fine.

At the school I went to we have one of the highest populations of deaf students and anyone of them will tell you that while being deaf is a disability they are not disabled. The best it was explained and from my experience was like interacting with someone who speaks a different language.

I have never met a deaf person who couldn't function like a "normal" person. I do understand that there are circumstances in which being deaf could be a hinderance and sometimes "special" assistance maybe needed or others in a family or workplace need to adjust to new forms of communicating and in that sence I guess is where you could say yes to treating it like a disability.
I just strongly disagree with what you put, "I've heard that people say that deaf people should be treated as if they were a illiterate, uneducated disabled person." I don't know where you heard that, but that is very untrue.

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JanHopkins 2012/05/11 15:59:49

Yes, 'cause it is a disability.

+3
I'm going deaf and it is a disability. Obviously I didn't lose my education in the process. I can still do my job. The trouble is that I can't always understand what the boss is saying and sometimes I miss meetings because I didn't hear the announcement over the loud speaker. I also have a problem with being able to hear the sound of machines that are malfunctioning so I don't hit the kill switch when I should.It's definitely a mixed bag.

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Marissa... to JanHopkins 2012/05/11 16:42:08

Just curious but, can you read lips?
and, I'm sorry /:
Thanks for the vote and comment!

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JanHopkins to Marissa... 2012/05/12 03:18:31 (edited)

+1
I try to. It helps me follow whatever garbled noise people seem to be making. I have a real tough time translating people with accents and people who cover their mouths when they talk, look away or speak without barely moving their lips. People get really impatient with me.

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Marissa... to JanHopkins 2012/05/13 21:45:44

They shouldn't get impatient >_< so, just more random curiosity.. Do you know ASL?
Usually in a conversation someone tries to start and I know the person is kind of an ass, I just usually start talking in ASL, their confusion is hilarious. My best friend she also knows ASL so when we're trying to have a private conversation, we just use our hands. Usually get stared at a lot because of it though /:

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JanHopkins to Marissa... 2012/05/14 02:13:17

+1
Just a little. I really want to find out where to learn it especially since my husband is also going deaf.

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Marissa... to JanHopkins 2012/05/14 17:40:26

Here are some good sites I use.
www.signingsavvy.com
and
www.lifeprint.com

Easy for beginners :)
Yet, very fun, I use it to do songs in ASL as well :)
Hope that helped!

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JanHopkins to Marissa... 2012/05/15 04:07:45

Thank you so much Rissa Mars. I'll check it out.

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TheXIVt... to JanHopkins 2012/05/11 23:03:42
JanHopkins to TheXIVt... 2012/05/12 03:22:27

+1
I think that learning to read with phonics really is why I can do some lip reading. I know what the different word sounds look like when they are said because my 2nd grade teacher always showed us how to make the sounds. I wasn't deaf then of course.

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TheXIVt... to JanHopkins 2012/05/12 13:38:34
XXrawwwrXX 2012/05/11 12:43:37

Yes, 'cause it is a disability.

+1
being deaf is a disability, but being treated like they are uneducated and illiterate, no.

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Marissa... to XXrawwwrXX 2012/05/11 15:32:11

Agreed.
Thanks for the vote and comment!

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User Deactivated 2012/05/11 04:24:42

Yes, 'cause it is a disability.

+1
Uneducated and illiterate? No, disabled? Yes. They are disabled, but that doesn't mean they cannot function well enough.

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Marissa... to User De... 2012/05/11 15:32:29

+1
Agreed.
Thanks for the vote and comment!

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Chloey Hamer 2012/05/11 04:05:18 (edited)

Undecided

+1
It IS a disability, but It is something that someone can lead a normal life with. So they should not be treated like they are stupid or anything. My cousin is deaf, and I am hearing impaired, but It does not affect our intelligence. It's more of a physical disability.

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Marissa... to Chloey ... 2012/05/11 15:33:26

Agreed :)
Thanks for the vote and comment!

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Linkums 2012/05/11 03:31:58

Undecided

+1
It is a disability, no matter how much they want to deny it, but they can pretty much do anything anyone else can with a few exceptions. There's just certain necessary accommodations. That doesn't mean they should be treated like they are illiterate and uneducated though.

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Marissa... to Linkums 2012/05/11 15:34:31

+1
Agreed, I know a girl who got teased because she is deaf. People would say that she is dumb and other mean things.
Thanks for the vote and comment!

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sockpuppet 2012/05/11 02:54:17

Yes, 'cause it is a disability.

+1
What does literacy have to do with disability?

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Marissa... to sockpuppet 2012/05/11 02:56:20

+1
I have no clue, it's just something I heard. Made no sense to me either >_<
Thanks for the vote and comment!

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TheXIVthNobody 2012/05/11 02:51:04
Marissa... to TheXIVt... 2012/05/11 02:55:01

Sorry for that error and I understand that.
Thanks for the vote and comment!

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