Deaf Culture

What’s polite?• Eye contact

o Means you’re listening. It’s a sign of respect.

• If you need to look away, there are appropriate ways to do that:o Sign: ONE MOMENTo Sign: HOLD ONo Sign: EXCUSE ME

• Other signs:o EYE CONTACTo LOOK-AT-MEo PAY ATTENTION

Walking through…• If you need to walk through a conversation, don’t

make a fuss, just hurry through. • You don’t need to stop and ask permission. It

causes more disruption.

SIGN always!• If you are in a group of Deaf and hearing, always

sign. If you don’t, it sends a strong message that including Deaf isn’t important to you.

• ISSUE: Signing and talking at the same time.

Terms to Know

DEAFCulturally Deaf. Big “D” Deaf. ASL users.

deafAuditory term. Not cultural.

Hard of HearingOne foot in Deaf world, the other in hearing.

ASL/Signed English user.

Late DeafenedBecome deaf later due to illness or life circumstance.

Belong to hearing culture. Sometimes sign.

Hearing ImpairedNOT an acceptable term. Medical perspective.

hearingYou guys. Typically not capitalized.

“THINK HEARING”