That is one of the problems in may areas of the US Claire, in my and many others opinions, that ASL is recognized but is not recognized as a language.
The contradictions in recognition and accomodation are the big problem.
My husband fit into defgrl's description. He is neither fully hearing or fully deaf and get the same mistreatment.
For example, he had an appointment yesterday. They finally listened to his description of what his hearing aids have been doing and they realized -finally - that there is a problem with them. They kept them for repairs so now he is without any assistive device and therefore deaf.
So, for how ever long it takes to fix the devices he will be signing more and talking less. The reactions of hearing and deaf will vary.
