Are you deaf or Deaf? Why?

I am deaf and I been in hearing world as natural for me. I have some of Deaf culture in my life, too. I would put myself as ‘lowercase d’ in deaf. You know hearing impaired is business word for everything but Deaf against it. I can understand that, but it is business way to say. Science words or medical words alike as Business words. Anyway, here is next.

Deaf is completely Deaf as strong ASL, deaf culture.

The ‘uppercase D’ Deaf is used to describe people who identify as culturally Deaf. They might be actively engaged with the Deaf community. Deaf with a capital D indicates a culture identify for people with hearing loss who share a common culture and who often have a shared sign language.

Big D deaf people are those who are born deaf or experience hearing loss before spoken language is acquired and regard their deafness as part of their identity and culture rather than as a disability.

Better way to say or write “d/Deaf” I know it is hardest thing to write or asking. Both are the same but identify differently.

“Deaf” with capital ‘D’ tends to match most of the following:

Culture Deaf and part of the Deaf community.

Haven’t “lost” anything nor do they like to be labelled “hearing impaired” because it is not medical condition or disability. Deaf is their identify.

Common use of sign language and on most occasions. Their primary language.

Sign language is primary language. English spoken or Foreign spoken is second language.

Fully immersed themselves in the Deaf community.

Attended Deaf school.

Great pride in their Deaf identity.

“deaf” with small ‘d’ tends to match most of the following:

Chooses not or does not associate themselves as part of the Deaf community.

Also had little to no exposure to the Deaf community.

Hearing loss is referred to as a medical condition.

Refer it as a disability.

Gradually lost their hearing and have not yet integrated to the community.

Primary choices of communication are not a sign language.

Integrates with the hearing world and potentially feels more comfortable there.

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Does that help? I know I am deaf but not Deaf. I am going to study deaf education at University of Montevallo.

~ DW