Stereotypes and Misconceptions about Deaf People |
"It always irks me to see posts from hearing people who post things about Deaf people and use it to say "This is what we have done to help these people". As a hearing person who has been involved in the Deaf Community for almost a decade, I struggle to complete that sentence... "I have done ... to help these people." But when I think about what I have gained from the Deaf Community... I don't even know where to begin. I think your posts are doing more harm than good. To "help" the community, be a part of the community, be an ally. One sign of"help" is not participating in humble bragging and exploitation of the Deaf Community." ~ Megan Kish
|
1. All deaf people sign
The ability and desire to sign varies from individual to individual. It depends on whether the deaf individual was encouraged to sign or discouraged from signing in his/her formative years and whether they picked up signing later in life. Deaf people have preferences for communication. Some communicate fluently in sign language, others use a combination of both spoken language and sign language, and some prefer to use speech only.
2. Hearing aids and cochlear implants make you hear normally
Hearing aids and cochlear implants can benefit some deaf and hard of hearing people. However, it depends on the person and their specific type and degree of hearing loss. Furthermore, how well a person can hear with hearing aids and cochlear implants depends on the environment and residual noise. Hearing aids and cochlear implants cannot and do not restore hearing or fix hearing loss.
3. The majority of deaf people cannot speak
Not all deaf people are the same. Some Deaf speak very well and clearly while others choose not to use their voice especially if their speech is unintelligible or they have a "Deaf Accent".
4. Deaf people cannot drive
Deaf people can drive. It has been proven that deaf or hard of hearing people are better drivers than hearing people and have fewer accidents. Deaf people are more visually aware of their surrounding while driving compared to hearing people. A hearing test is not a prerequisite to obtain a driver's license. The flashing lights on ambulances and fire trucks are visible.
5. All deaf people can lipread
Some Deaf people are very skilled lip readers, but many are not. Only about 30% of spoken English is visible on the lips. This is because many speech sounds have identical mouth movements. For example 'p' and b' look exactly alike on the lips. Also, people with mustache or beards can be difficult to lip read.
6. If you shout, it helps a deaf person understand you better
Usually this is not the case as it distorts speech. It is better to speak naturally and at a comfortable pace. Not too fast and not too slow. Exaggerating mouth movements also makes it harder for a deaf person to understand what is being communicated.
7. Deaf people are not as intelligent as Hearing people
Deaf people are not dumb. They simply can't hear. Just like the ability to hear does not make you intelligent, Deaf people can do everything a hearing person can do, except hear.
8. All deaf people are completely and totally deaf
There are different degrees of hearing loss. Some people who are legally deaf prefer to be called Hard of Hearing. Some people who are legally deaf prefer to be called Deaf. It depends on the individual's identity, the type of hearing loss and what he/she prefers to be called.
9. All deaf people understand and participate in Deaf Culture
Not all deaf people choose to participate in Deaf culture. Deaf culture requires a common language, shared values, beliefs, norms, behaviors, etc. Not all deaf people use sign language. Some deaf people prefer to assimilate into the hearing world as much as possible and not associate with other deaf individuals.
10. Deaf people read braille
This is a common misconception. Some blind people use braille. Deaf people have problems with their ears, not their eyes. There is no reason for a deaf person to read braille unless they were deaf-blind.
11. Deaf people cannot have children
Deaf people can have children as their bodies function normally. There is no reason why they would not be able to or why they would not be allowed to have children.
12. Deaf people only have “lowly” jobs
Some do, but some don’t. It is also the same among hearing people where some have professional jobs while others have low end jobs. Not everyone is the same. Deaf people can work most jobs like hearing people do. There are many outstanding Deaf individuals with good jobs. One such person is Claudia Gordon, the first female African American Deaf lawyer in the USA.
13. Sign Language is universal. People from overseas and people from America get together and can instantly understand each other.
No sign language is not universal. Every country has its own native sign language. The sign languages of some countries have ASL, French sign Language (LSF) and British Sign Language (BSL) influence. When signers from various countries get together, they have an easier time understanding each other through the use of International Sign (IS), gestures and body language than hearing people who speak different languages.
14. Deaf people don’t want to be deaf, they are hoping for some miracle cure that will make them hear.
Some do and some don't. Many Deaf people who use sign language and are proud of their Deaf heritage do not wish to be hearing. The capital 'D' denotes those who identify with Deaf culture. They find pride in their Deaf identity and see themselves as a distinct cultural minority instead of a disability community.
15. Sign Language is bad for Deaf people because they will depend on it too much which will make them unable to communicate with hearing people.
Many research studies have shown that preventing deaf children from learning sign language causes language and cognitive delay because not all deaf children can access spoken language depending on the severity of their hearing loss. This can impact their ability to learn adversely. Furthermore, research has also shown that sign actually facilitates speech instead of hindering it. Some deaf people can communicate easily with hearing people through speech. However, those who were not able to acquire speech have found ways of communicating with hearing people and making themselves understood. Some examples include writing on a notepad, SMS, video calls, gesture, etc...
The ability and desire to sign varies from individual to individual. It depends on whether the deaf individual was encouraged to sign or discouraged from signing in his/her formative years and whether they picked up signing later in life. Deaf people have preferences for communication. Some communicate fluently in sign language, others use a combination of both spoken language and sign language, and some prefer to use speech only.
2. Hearing aids and cochlear implants make you hear normally
Hearing aids and cochlear implants can benefit some deaf and hard of hearing people. However, it depends on the person and their specific type and degree of hearing loss. Furthermore, how well a person can hear with hearing aids and cochlear implants depends on the environment and residual noise. Hearing aids and cochlear implants cannot and do not restore hearing or fix hearing loss.
3. The majority of deaf people cannot speak
Not all deaf people are the same. Some Deaf speak very well and clearly while others choose not to use their voice especially if their speech is unintelligible or they have a "Deaf Accent".
4. Deaf people cannot drive
Deaf people can drive. It has been proven that deaf or hard of hearing people are better drivers than hearing people and have fewer accidents. Deaf people are more visually aware of their surrounding while driving compared to hearing people. A hearing test is not a prerequisite to obtain a driver's license. The flashing lights on ambulances and fire trucks are visible.
5. All deaf people can lipread
Some Deaf people are very skilled lip readers, but many are not. Only about 30% of spoken English is visible on the lips. This is because many speech sounds have identical mouth movements. For example 'p' and b' look exactly alike on the lips. Also, people with mustache or beards can be difficult to lip read.
6. If you shout, it helps a deaf person understand you better
Usually this is not the case as it distorts speech. It is better to speak naturally and at a comfortable pace. Not too fast and not too slow. Exaggerating mouth movements also makes it harder for a deaf person to understand what is being communicated.
7. Deaf people are not as intelligent as Hearing people
Deaf people are not dumb. They simply can't hear. Just like the ability to hear does not make you intelligent, Deaf people can do everything a hearing person can do, except hear.
8. All deaf people are completely and totally deaf
There are different degrees of hearing loss. Some people who are legally deaf prefer to be called Hard of Hearing. Some people who are legally deaf prefer to be called Deaf. It depends on the individual's identity, the type of hearing loss and what he/she prefers to be called.
9. All deaf people understand and participate in Deaf Culture
Not all deaf people choose to participate in Deaf culture. Deaf culture requires a common language, shared values, beliefs, norms, behaviors, etc. Not all deaf people use sign language. Some deaf people prefer to assimilate into the hearing world as much as possible and not associate with other deaf individuals.
10. Deaf people read braille
This is a common misconception. Some blind people use braille. Deaf people have problems with their ears, not their eyes. There is no reason for a deaf person to read braille unless they were deaf-blind.
11. Deaf people cannot have children
Deaf people can have children as their bodies function normally. There is no reason why they would not be able to or why they would not be allowed to have children.
12. Deaf people only have “lowly” jobs
Some do, but some don’t. It is also the same among hearing people where some have professional jobs while others have low end jobs. Not everyone is the same. Deaf people can work most jobs like hearing people do. There are many outstanding Deaf individuals with good jobs. One such person is Claudia Gordon, the first female African American Deaf lawyer in the USA.
13. Sign Language is universal. People from overseas and people from America get together and can instantly understand each other.
No sign language is not universal. Every country has its own native sign language. The sign languages of some countries have ASL, French sign Language (LSF) and British Sign Language (BSL) influence. When signers from various countries get together, they have an easier time understanding each other through the use of International Sign (IS), gestures and body language than hearing people who speak different languages.
14. Deaf people don’t want to be deaf, they are hoping for some miracle cure that will make them hear.
Some do and some don't. Many Deaf people who use sign language and are proud of their Deaf heritage do not wish to be hearing. The capital 'D' denotes those who identify with Deaf culture. They find pride in their Deaf identity and see themselves as a distinct cultural minority instead of a disability community.
15. Sign Language is bad for Deaf people because they will depend on it too much which will make them unable to communicate with hearing people.
Many research studies have shown that preventing deaf children from learning sign language causes language and cognitive delay because not all deaf children can access spoken language depending on the severity of their hearing loss. This can impact their ability to learn adversely. Furthermore, research has also shown that sign actually facilitates speech instead of hindering it. Some deaf people can communicate easily with hearing people through speech. However, those who were not able to acquire speech have found ways of communicating with hearing people and making themselves understood. Some examples include writing on a notepad, SMS, video calls, gesture, etc...
