We are Diverse

Language defines culture, social and linguistic identity.

Those who grew up hearing and became deaf or hard of hearing later, or grew up with the spoken language, usually speak English as their social, culture and linguistic identity. They are diverse in how they define themselves ( deaf, hard of hearing, hearing loss, hearing impaired and so forth).

They can be pre-, peri- or post- lingual. Most are late deafened. Hearing loss is a spectrum from mild to profound.

Speaking English does not mean ‘hearing’. It means they identify socially, culturally and linguistically with that language, speaking, writing and reading in English. They are still deaf or hard of hearing on an audiogram.  

This population typically embraces technology for communication access.

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Deaf’ with a capital D is often used to indicate a person who uses American Sign Language (ASL) and shares the values and culture of signers, although they may have a wide range of hearing loss from mild to profound, as well as normal hearing (‘D’eaf families). 

Their language defines their culture.  They may hear on the phone or can not hear on the phone. It has nothing to do with where they are on their audiogram.  ASL is a visual language with its own grammar and syntax. It is not the English language in signs.

10% of the deaf/HOH population define themselves as ‘Deaf’ (culturally) with estimated 3% native/primary users and 7% acquired as a second language (bilingual who can not only sign, but read/write and speak the spoken language).

90% of the deaf/HOH do not use sign language.

How do you make it Inclusive to all those who are deaf and hard of hearing?

"However, in order to serve ALL deaf, hard of hearing, 

the hearing impaired or people with hearing loss 

(whichever terms you choose), all of these accessible 

solutions need to be provided, and the Deaf and 

hearing impaired should always be placed down front 

where they can use their eyes to see to hear and the 

audio amplifiers to be picked up by their assistive 

devices. Captions should be on the wall or a screen for

 those who need to read what is being said." 

 (Source:  http://limpingchicken.com/2014/01/16/deaf-discrimination-to-deaf/)