Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe
From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Who is this Guy?
Message-ID: <13100@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 25 Jul 90 02:13:42 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Distribution: misc
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA
Lines: 32
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP

Index Number: 9470

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 BP>      Jack, what do you mean by that?  What *is* the difference
 BP>      between deaf and Deaf?  Inquiring Minds Want to Know! ;-)

Hi Bill.   The word deaf (small "d") defines a phisiological
condition.  Generally the inability to discriminate speech by
ear alone, even with optimal amplification.  People who are
deaf may or may not also be Deaf.  If not Deaf, they use "total
communication", a combination of speechreading (or "lipreading"),
signing, residual hearing, pad and pencil, whatever it takes to
communicate.  They try to remain functional members of a hearing
society.

The word Deaf (big "D") defines a cultural orientation.  Persons
whose primary or exclusive means of communication is sign language.
They are usually, but not necessarily, prelingually deaf.  They
consider themselves members of Deaf Culture.  There are even a few
normally hearing children of Deaf families who are Deaf.

So to confuse things even more, consider this.  People who are deaf
may or may not be Deaf.  And people who are Deaf may or may not
be deaf.  We should be able to get a roaring debate started with
this thread.  Any Deaf folks out there?

... I never listen!

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe
Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org