Hearing Loss Counselors Honolulu HI

One of the most serious identity issues facing hard of hearing, late deafened, and oral deaf persons is the tendency of hearing people and Culturally Deaf people to lump together the "Deaf and hard of hearing". There are several distinct groups within this "catchall" phrase, as explained in Who's Who .

Identity Confusion and Denied Access

Because of this error, organizations provide interpreters thinking that their event is accessible to all persons with hearing loss.  The fact is that interpreters provide access to most Culturally Deaf people (who generally use sign language). Providing access to hard of hearing, late deafened, and oral deaf people (who rarely use sign language) is another matter entirely. The Pontiac - GMC Car Shows story illustrates this issue.

Identity Confusion and Culturally Deaf

Hard of hearing, late deafened, and oral deaf persons are often not understood by members of either the hearing world or the Culturally Deaf world. Members of each group sometimes think these people persons really belong to the OTHER group.

The PA Case Manager story illustrates how agencies that claim to serve the "deaf and hard of hearing" really mean the Culturally Deaf.

Here's a similar situation at GLAD , the Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness.

Of course, they sometimes think hard of hearing, late deafened, and oral deaf persons belong to THEIR group, as well. The hearing impaired story is an example of a Culturally Deaf person including ALL people with hearing loss in his group.

Identity Understanding and Culturally Deaf

If you've read some of the other stories, you've no doubt realized that considering the needs of the hard of hearing, late deafened, and oral deaf is often an afterthought, if it happens at all.  That's why people with hearing loss are so delighted to be included in the beginning. Here's a happy tale about an NTID Job Announcement that specifically includes hard of hearing per...