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10 things I would like you to know about my Deaf parents

Welcome to the last week of September! As you are hopefully already aware, during this week we are celebrating The International Week of the Deaf.

The main objective is to promote accessibility, equality, an end to discrimination and Deaf people's rights.


As with every year, Deaf Umbrella is joining this celebration by raising awareness of Sign Language, supporting Deaf Community visibility and highlighting the richness of Deaf cultural.

As you know, I'm CODA (a Child Of Deaf Adult) and this year I would like to share with you 10 things I want you to know about my Deaf parents:

  1. They are completely normal! The only thing that they can't do is to hear.

  2. If you speak to them softly, they won't hear you. However, if you scream at them, they won’t hear you either. They are DEAF.

  3. If you can't communicate with them, don't get frustrated or give up. They will be willing to help with the communication.

  4. They will offer you many different ways to communicate with them, just try to repeat things, use different words/re-phrase things or write them down.

  5. Unfortunately, they cannot see through things or around corners. So, if you cover your mouth or turn your head away while speaking to them they won't be able to read your lips to understand you.

  6. Before you start to speaking to them, please tap them on the shoulder to get their attention.

  7. They might feel excluded, upset or even angry if you say "never mind", "I will tell you later" or "It's not important" rather than pursue a conversation. It is incredibly annoying and extremely hurtful to sideline Deaf people in this way.

  8. They love patient people :)

  9. Deaf people usually pick up on our body language better than anyone else and have better peripheral vision.

  10. They are strong, hard-working, loving people who have to fight for their rights in a hearing world. A little understand goes a very long way!

I really hope that you find this information interesting and it might help you in a conversation with a deaf person.

Please, feel free to share this and help us raise Deaf Awareness :)

 

British Sign Language and Deaf Awreness Online training


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