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I Am Deaf

These are encounters happening a little too often:

1. Yes I am deaf NO I do NOT "speak braille".

2. Stop giving me braille menus in restaurants.

3. Stop giving me children menus in restaurants because the pictures should be "easier than words".

4. If I say "huh" don't TALK. TO. ME. LIKE. THIS. It doesn't help.

5. Fake sign language or flipping me off - not really funny.

6. YES I can drive, I am literate, I can listen to music.

7. "I speak sign language" is not incorrect when it's a deaf person's first language it's our voice just like verbal language is a hearing person's voice.

8. "You don't look deaf or you don't sound deaf". Please give me the guide on how I should look and sound.

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KiwiBird · 36-40, F

New Zealand has three official languages: Māori, English and New Zealand Sign Language. You would think Canada and the USA and many other developed and developing countries would recognise sign language as an official language but sadly not.

Of the 41 countries recognize sign language as an official language, 26 are in Europe. The European Parliament approved the resolution requiring all member states to adopt sign language in an official capacity on June 17, 1988. The parliament issued another declaration with similar resolutions in 1998.

Of the remaining countries, six are in South America, four are in Africa (Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe), two are in Oceania (Papua New Guinea and New Zealand), two are in Asia (South Korea and Japan), while Mexico is the only North American state. Sign language was approved to become South Africa's 12th official language.

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Nine9 · 26-30, F

@KiwiBird You know what's sad I'm not even surprised. I've been asked multiple times if I was in a gang because I used sign language.

KiwiBird · 36-40, F

@Nine9 That is really Sad. 😥

HootyTheNightOwl

You missed out a few:-

9. When i tell you about my disability, don't look at me like i grew a second head.

10. Don't yell at me because i asked you to repeat something.

11. If i request simple changes to the lesson plan, i do so to make the class easier for me... please take the time to accommodate my request as you would if i were blind or dyslexic.

Nine9 · 26-30, F

@HootyTheNightOwl OH my gosh you are so right. I've had this too many times?

GerOttman · 61-69, M

How do you listen to music? That has me very curious. And really you don't look deaf to me... I know a few people who have learned to sign, always thought it would be a handy skill to pick up.