Mélange Accessibility for All Magazine October 2022 | Page 82

are overlooked as a result of misconceptions about hearing loss . Many speak well but are still affected by a percentage of hearing loss which can deprive them of fully understanding what is being discussed in their presence . Hard of Hearing people often form advocacy groups of their own .
DID YOU KNOW : Thomas Edison was Hard of Hearing when he first invented the light bulb and phonograph
DeafBlind Culture Currently , the DeafBlind Culture is very limited , so I am not able to share many pointers at this time . But one common misconception regarding their culture is the idea that it is the same as the Deaf Culture . This statement is not accurate . The DeafBlind are currently developing their own culture . The outcomes have not been adequately reported to date . The key to understanding the DeafBlind Culture is to recognize its diversity . They have experienced both wonderful and painful experiences .
There are many of us who speak a common language through sign language , while others speak languages that are uniquely on their own . For the DeafBlind , their language of choice is tactile . The definition of tactile is “ touchable or sensed by the touch ”. DeafBlind people and others benefit from understanding what it " means " to be DeafBlind . When properly identified , DeafBlind people develop self-awareness and will affirm that they are not alone , stupid , or victimized . DeafBlindness can be transformed from a tragedy to a positive narrative when they are proud of their identity .
DID YOU KNOW : Julia Brace was the first DeafBlind person . It wasn ’ t Hellen Keller or Laura Bridgman .
Hearing Culture In conclusion , the Hearing Culture has been identified to be “ normal ” since they are able to hear and speak a spoken language . People who do not suffer from hearing loss are referred to as Hearing . The term " Hearing Culture " refers to mainstream American / International cultures that are oriented primarily towards auditory experiences rather than visual experiences . It should be noted , however , that they may suffer from some degree of hearing and / or speech loss due to illness or advancing age and as they progress in life . While not Deaf
To Table of Contents or Hard of Hearing , the Hearing population also employs cultural gestures similar to sign language . Their “ sign language ” or gestures are collectively considered acceptable and normal ; for instance , waving hello or goodbye . In different countries gesturing is also seamlessly incorporated into their spoken language .
DID YOU KNOW : American linguist William C . Stoke ( hearing ) was the father of American Sign Language ( ASL ) and a long-time professor at Gallaudet University in Washington , DC . His research revealed that ASL is an official language with the proper linguistic structure of a language or communication
As a final note on cultures , I would like to point out that there are 7,139 spoken languages worldwide as of 2022 . In addition , there are 300 different sign languages .
I hope you found this article very informative . I will discuss etiquette in my next article .
Photo by : Matt - @ Lunproductions