Letter to the Editor: The Deaf ARE NOT handicapped
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to a letter to the Editor printed on April 6 entitled, “The deaf are handicapped”. I am a Deaf student myself and must disagree as well as question the need to label the Deaf as “disadvantaged” or as having a “hindrance”. I am a profoundly Deaf student, here after 5 years of a full ride football scholarship, the current College of Education student of the month and COMDDE’s student of the year, a graduate student with a current straight “A” average in my program, a father of two children a husband and ecclesaistical leader. In high school I won the State track Championship, was the District wrestling champion, as well as being an all-state and all-conference football player. And no, none of these were “special” contests for the “handicapped” Deaf, I competed against hearing high school athletes. I wonder how many other people at this University can list the same number of accomplishments? I am in no way handicapped nor am I at a physical or mental disability as the aforementioned article seemed to allude. If you would like to label the Deaf as “handicapped” due to their “disadvantaged” status, then we had better be sure that we have the same designation for those with glasses, or those who are overweight, or those who are cranky and unable to get along well with others. All of whom would be at a disadvantage in one situation or another. As for my “difficulty” in “communicating with the majority of the hearing world,” I can think of no example when I have been unable to communicate with a hearing individual unless they spoke no English as I can read and write! Yes! The Deaf can read and write and drive and think and perform and succeed and DO! If a Spanish speaking person visits America, unable to speak English, are they handicapped? Of course not, a person is not handicapped because they use a different language. American Sign Lanuage may not be the predominant language used in America but it is mine and it does not make me “handicapped” because you do not understand it! The one and only thing that puts me at any kind of a disadvantage in this world are the labels and stereotypes that some feel so important to attribute to me. I can do ANYTHING I want to if I am allowed. Some hearing folks, like the author of the letter to the Editor to which I am resonding, seem unwilling to allow me to try. I do not know the author of the letter which means she may want to interract with the Deaf before she starts stereotyping us. What a shame and a missed opportunity for her. The letter ends stating, “We should work toward a better understanding of the deaf culture, and a world which is more accepting and accommodating of the (deaf).” I think the author, as well as any other member of this community that shares her opinion, ought to take their own advice and get to know a Deaf person. We have much to offer and ARE NOT HANDICAPPED.Curt Radford519-19-43127-6873slf56