Sep 04 2007

Deaf is Not A Dirty Word

Published by Rachel at 7:56 pm under Behind the Signing Time Scenes, Crazy Little Thing Called Life

I just thought I would put it out there to the universe and all who read my blog, (No, I don’t think the whole universe reads my blog:-) that it is totally 100% wonderful, PC and preferred to say someone is “deaf”. Actually 4 out of 5 deaf people prefer the term “deaf” rather than the term “hearing impaired.” (I have no poll to back that up, but seriously I have met enough deaf folks to know. If I did have a poll, it would probably be 5 out of 5.) I mean think about it, would you like to be called “impaired”? So, wonder no more my friends!

It cracks me up, in interviews I say “Leah is deaf.” and “When we found out she was deaf…” and time and time again what they print is “Leah is hearing impaired”. Most recently, one article said that “Leah was diagnosed as profoundly hearing impaired.” Another article talked about “Signing Time!” benefitting the hearing impaired and the non-hearing imparied.

“Deaf” is not a dirty word. You can quote me on that!

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4 Responses to “Deaf is Not A Dirty Word”

  1. # decblessingson 04 Sep 2007 at 8:13 pm

    I just began taking a signing class a couple weeks ago and not having to use “person first language” and the “correct” terminology when referring to someone who is deaf has been kind of challenging for me. Last semester I was in a class called Young Children with Disabilities and we focused on all different types of disabilities. The teacher made it a point to teach us that most deaf people are very proud of who they are and don’t like the term hearing impaired because it implies that something is broken and needs fixed… but the rest of the class was focused on the person first language and using correct terminology, such as “visually impared” rather than “blind.”

    I think people really just don’t want to offend someone so they use the wording that they think is best. Ironically they end up offending them by their choice of words anyway. This post is a great reminder that the word deaf is not at all offensive. :)

  2. # grimellaon 04 Sep 2007 at 9:15 pm

    Great post! I’ve always been a little confused about those labels because growing up I thought “deaf” meant that you couldn’t hear at all. Now, as the mom of a “deaf” child I feel funny with that label because I feel like I have to explain that “yes, he can hear with his aids” but I also don’t really like the term, “hearing impaired” for the reasons you stated. Thanks for clearing this up for me:)

  3. # Angela Bernhardton 10 Sep 2007 at 10:02 pm

    When I was taking my social work classes in
    college our professors drilled it in our heads to use correct terms. The logic
    behind it was the person was more than their disabilty. But its nice to get feed
    back on how the term “deaf” is not offensive. Thank for speaking out and sharing this
    with us.

  4. # munsterandwebsmomon 28 Sep 2007 at 3:48 pm

    You had a post on here about shopping with your kids and a comment made by a little
    guy about Lucy and the size of her head. I didn’t have a chance to comment at that
    time. But, I wanted to let you know that you are very blessed because our Father in Heaven knew they needed a special mother like you. The amazing things you have done
    shows the love you have for your family. What an example you are to all of us.

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