Importance of the Deaf Community

Being a part of a community and finding those with similar experiences is important, providing many benefits throughout life. It feels comfortable when you are with people who are like you, and there is a sense of comfort finding someone who has the same background and experiences. For those who are deaf, community not only provides a sense of belonging and connectedness, but empowerment and an opportunity to celebrate individuals for who they are rather than being identified solely by their deafness. With similar experiences, individuals can really share in what it means to be deaf and and truly be understood by others. 

As shared by Hand and Voices, “Members of this community share a common history, values, morals and experiences,” placing the focus on shared qualities and values. Oftentimes, deaf individuals are identified by their limitations or inability to hear. Rather than looking only at deafness as a disability, there is a more positive view of deaf individuals, such as the visual acuity of their communication. This perspective of deafness goes beyond this identifier, and instead shows the abilities, traditions and diverseness that make up this community. 

At the center of the Deaf community is Deaf culture, with the use of sign language as a core value. When individuals within the community are able to sign together,  barriers found in communicating with those who hear no longer exist. As an example, hearing individuals listen with their ears, meaning eye contact is not a requirement for communication. However, those in the deaf community are visual communicators, making it important to look at each other. When two people are signing, they will need to face each other, making it easier to engage and continue a conversation. For those who hear, they may not be aware of the need to face a deaf individual when communicating, making it more difficult. 

Additionally as visual communicators, those in the Deaf community often have the incredible ability to use and read nonverbal communication, something that those in the hearing world may not always notice. For those who sign, touching is often involved, as well as a way to greet each other, get attention or express emotion, serving as a great example of the interconnectedness of this community.

Unlike some communities where an individual joins upon birth, joining the Deaf community is a personal decision. The community not only includes those who are deaf, but those who work with deaf individuals and families as well. For families who are hearing with deaf children, having the opportunity to learn and be part of the Deaf community and culture can be very beneficial as they grow. Finding a sense of comfort and belonging in a community of shared experiences helps them to learn self-identity and more about who they are as individuals. Children who also can learn ASL to communicate, as well as the opportunity to learn or be exposed to the English language, while belonging to both the deaf and hearing communities, can have lasting impacts on their development and ability to communicate. 

Finding a community where you are truly understood and can be yourself makes a difference and can certainly impact one’s outlook and sense of self. Looking at the values, traditions, and histories of other communities can shift perspectives as well, providing another way of seeing its members. “The cultural model [of deafness] values the remarkable and extraordinary variations in all of human kind and the uniqueness of us all.”