American Deaf Culture 110 Chapter 3: Who Are the Deaf People?

2. What is the difference between "deaf" and "Deaf"?

...the practice of capitalizing the "d" in Deaf has been utilized in the literature since the 1980s to make a distinction between people who do not hear but who choose not to participate in the Deaf community and those who embrace Deaf culture. Thus, "deaf" with a lowercase "d" refers to the physiological condition of not hearing regardless of whether or not they choose to identify with the Deaf community. In this sense, every Deaf person is also deaf, but not every deaf person can be considered Deaf.

8. Researchers (Baker-Shenk and Cokely) proposed a model illustrating four domains that Deaf people must satisfy in order to achieve a comfortable place in the Deaf community. What are those four domains?

...they included audiological, linguistic, political, and social requirements for full membership in the Deaf community.

7. What are at least two characteristics (possibly called 'advantages') for Deaf children born to Deaf parents?

A. Deaf children of Deaf parents have the benefit of ready-made solutions, thanks to Deaf culture, from the day these babies are born. In fact, the family dynamics of an all-Deaf family closely resemble a typical American family, in which communication access is not an issue. Deaf babies are provided with a fully accessible language through ASL, a barrier-free communication system via signing, and a home environment free of the grief and mourning associated with having a deaf child. b. Research over the years has repeatedly shown that Deaf children from Deaf families tend to be ranked superior to those from hearing families in all areas of development, including academics, personal and social development, language acquisition in both English and ASL, communication skills, and career aspirations.

1. What percentage of people in the United States can be classified as "hearing impaired?"

Approximately 17% of the population, or 36 million people in the United States can be classified "hearing impaired," which includes both deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

6. For CODA's born to Deaf parents, what is their first language?

In a home with Deaf parents, it is not unusual for American Sign Language (ASL) to be acquired as a first language, with English as a second language, whether or not the child hears.

4. How many generations does the Deaf generation last? Describe.

The presence of a deaf person in a family and the accompanying influence of the "Deaf way" (of living) on that family usually lasts only three generations, affecting the Deaf individual, his or her parents, and his or her children.

16. Why is it so important to the Deaf community that a newspaper article, news report, or other public announcements include the hearing status of the person?

They would expect the article to include some information about the person being deaf, in order to raise consciousness about the abilities of deaf people and to help preserve the record of Deaf people's accomplishments and contributions.

Are Deaf people considered disabled or handicapped by linguistic challenges?

This comparison serves as reinforcement that deaf people are not necessarily disabled but rather are "handicapped" by linguistic challenges and the inadequate level of understanding of their culture by the majority.

Who is included in the "hearing-but" category?

This label is designated for hearing people who have exhibited an extraordinarily positive attitude toward Deaf people and a deep respect for Deaf culture in general.

How do Deaf people view those who consider themselves "hard of hearing?"

To many Deaf people, hard of hearing signals experiences that are closer to those of hearing people.

14. As a linguistic minority, what type of labels have been proposed?

a. "ASL users" b. "signing people" c. "seeing people" d. "People of the Eye."

13. What are the four reasons Deaf people perceive themselves as more similar to members of various linguistic minority groups than to people with disabilities?

a. "the biggest challenge of these two groups is communication and language." b. "They often need the services of interpreters." c. "They face frustration in school and the workplace because of constant communication breakdown." d. "They receive inadequate education because educators do not know how to use the languages that are most comfortable or most accessible for these individuals."

3. What percentage of deaf children are born to deaf parents?

a. 10% of deaf children are born to deaf parents.

5. What does the acronym CODA stand for?

a. Children of Deaf adults.

9. What are the 5 common labels of those with membership to the Deaf community?

a. Hearing-impaired b. Deaf c. Hard of hearing d. Hearing e. Hearing-but