Is deafness a disability?

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Lissa said:
I don't really like the word "disability" for deafness as it does not seem right at all, as the only thing we cannot do is hear/hear normally.

I don't really consider myself as disabled.
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It isn't only about can't hear but the communication is big issue.

I feel that being deafness make my life so frustrated due to communication issues.
 
It's a disability because deaf do not have the ability to hear. I don't see why it's such a big deal to come to terms with a disability. Without my contact lenses, everything I see is a blur. I have a disability. No biggie.
 
TXgolfer said:
It is a disability....period.
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Quite so. It is a disability but that's not the same thing as disabled. Not so. We're not disabled. Instead we're all able people and we acknowledge that we have a disability. We're not disabled but have a certain disability.

No big deal for me. I accepted my hearing loss ever since I was a young boy. I knew then I have a disability but sure as heck was a very able person.
 
What it means to disable

Okay... so this is something that has really been a passion of mine in my field of psychology. To define the word is to give one a label that within itself is disabling. DeafDrummer strongly professes that his deafness is a disability be ranting on about things that a deaf individual could or could not do because they cannot HEAR with their EARS. Unfortunately, our bodies know how to compensate for DIFFERENCES" and we must be willing to rely on our other senses to fine tune our ability to do many things. To speak of things such as DeafDrummer spoke of is a bit far fetched, in my opinion; and I- in no way mean any disrespect - Disabled means to prohibit one from successfully accomplishing something. SOOOOO...
As I tell my clients (of many different needs and talents), you are only as disabled as you allow yourself to be. So who is STOPPING YOU
 
kokonut said:
Quite so. It is a disability but that's not the same thing as disabled. Not so. We're not disabled. Instead we're all able people and we acknowledge that we have a disability. We're not disabled but have a certain disability.

No big deal for me. I accepted my hearing loss ever since I was a young boy. I knew then I have a disability but sure as heck was a very able person.
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The disabled and disability are same definition.
 
docjhoward said:
Okay... so this is something that has really been a passion of mine in my field of psychology. To define the word is to give one a label that within itself is disabling. DeafDrummer strongly professes that his deafness is a disability be ranting on about things that a deaf individual could or could not do because they cannot HEAR with their EARS. Unfortunately, our bodies know how to compensate for DIFFERENCES" and we must be willing to rely on our other senses to fine tune our ability to do many things. To speak of things such as DeafDrummer spoke of is a bit far fetched, in my opinion; and I- in no way mean any disrespect - Disabled means to prohibit one from successfully accomplishing something. SOOOOO...
As I tell my clients (of many different needs and talents), you are only as disabled as you allow yourself to be. So who is STOPPING YOU
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Disabled is a much fickler term, disability is not so much. Evelyn Glennie has a disability and that is her inability to hear but not so much disabled at al because she is a professional percussionist.
 
It can be. Not saying it always is, and always will be, but it can. My deafness affects my spatial awareness and my balance, which means in some situations I'm unable to do things. I am still unable to swim, mostly thought to be because of my deafness, and in deep mud I am unable to make it safely across any pathway without assistance. In large crowds I cannot hear important information, but in the dead of night without hearing aids in I would be unable to hear anything going on around me, be it a natural event or a robbery. In short: I can be disabled.

I obviously try and do things to make up for it and adjust, but there's still a lot I have to take into consideration. I'm not disabled in the same way as those with Asperger's Syndrome, nor do I have any physical disability like those in wheelchairs and degenerative diseases. But I do have trouble in very specific situations which make me realise just how difficult it can be. If anything, I consider deafness to be a hidden disability, which one only becomes aware of when it's a novel situation.
 
kokonut said:
Disabled is a much fickler term, disability is not so much. Evelyn Glennie has a disability and that is her inability to hear but not so much disabled at al because she is a professional percussionist.
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Stephen Hawkins, I can think of no one smarter, has a disability AND is disable. He needs around the clock assistance. Ray Charles has a disability but is in no shape or form disable.
 
rolling7 said:
Disagree.
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It isn't about agree or disagree.

It is fact about disability and disabled are same definition.

According to Merriam Webster.

Disability
a : the condition of being disabled
b : inability to pursue an occupation because of a physical or mental impairment; also : a program providing financial support to one affected by disability <went on disability after the injury>

Disabled
incapacitated by illness or injury; also : physically or mentally impaired in a way that substantially limits activity especially in relation to employment or education

Source: Merriam Webster
 
Foxrac said:
The disabled and disability are same definition.
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I agree. I am disabled in one specific way. Doesn't disabled mean unable? My eyes are unable to do what eyes are meant to do, which is see clearly. It doesn't mean I'm useless and less than anyone with eyes that can see clearly. It means I'm disabled when it comes to seeing without aids.

I think when people hear the word disabled they get scared that it means they can't do anything, like work or enjoy life. Don't be afraid of the word. Let's not turn the word into some powerful negative that makes us feel like a lesser person. We're all valuable people even with our disabilities. I love you all and it makes me sad if you feel a disability/being disabled in some area makes you a lower class citizen. You're all fantastic!
 
Foxrac said:
It isn't about agree or disagree.

It is fact about disability and disabled are same definition.

According to Merriam Webster.

Disability
a : the condition of being disabled
b : inability to pursue an occupation because of a physical or mental impairment; also : a program providing financial support to one affected by disability <went on disability after the injury>

Disabled
incapacitated by illness or injury; also : physically or mentally impaired in a way that substantially limits activity especially in relation to employment or education

Source: Merriam Webster
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As you quoted it, disability is a "condition" of disable. One has to have much more than just a disability to be disable.
 
If we are at a physical competition, such as a marathon or a boating race with a mix of people who have all sorts of different issues, such as mute, deaf, missing an arm, arthritis, Asperger's, anything that separates them from what the average person doesn't have - if they win first place in the competition, I wouldn't necessarily see them classified as 'disabled' - they beat their peers in an equal competition.
Saying they have a disability / disabled gives the impression that they can't do something in this case.

If we are in a hospital and the forms are asking 'what kind of disability do you have', you have to checkbox those that apply you. You indeed get classified on your patient file as disabled. That's the law or how protocol classifies it. But the law is only used to govern certain issues or conditions necessary for a situation that requires it.

Disabled/disability has a negative correlation to it, depending on the person who is saying the word. As I said previously, it all depends on what is the subject at hand.

It's pretty similar to the use of the word 'retard'. In a perfect world, retard means something more polite than the negative context it is used in today. Most people wouldn't like being classified as a retard.
Really, it all depends on the person and the situation on who is using the word.
 
rolling7 said:
As you quoted it, disability is a "condition" of disable. One has to have much more than just a disability to be disable.
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rolling7 said:
Mimsy you really, really touch my heart. Thank you.
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First, Mimsy agreed with me, also she made additional explanation.

You told me that you disagree with me but agree with Mimsy post. It looks like you are trolling me so I'm not playing game with you.

You need get real to understand.
 
When I went to Social Security to apply for disability determinations regard my mobility issues, I was told then that my mobility issues were not severe enough, but they felt that my hearing loss was enough. Social Security sees me as having a disability with my inability to hear. I myself do not see it as a disability, however, I have been unable to find any kind of job with this lack of hearing for which I am qualified. Now, my mobility issues have worsened quite a bit, and my doctor contacted Social Security about it. They said that based on all the testing I went through in 2 states for these mobility issues, that I now have 2 disabilities. Yeah, I do have problems walking and to some degree and problem just standing. But, I still don't see myself as being disabled.
 
Foxrac said:
First, Mimsy agreed with me, also she made additional explanation.

You told me that you disagree with me but agree with Mimsy post. It looks like you are trolling me so I'm not playing game with you.

You need get real to understand.
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You totally misunderstood my post. Mimsy had already seen my previous post that I disagree with you and she has the right to agree with you, a she posted. I did not have to tell her I disagree with her because that was already obvious. I was thanking her for the second part of her post. Did you read the second part? You should.
 
rolling7 said:
You totally misunderstood my post. Mimsy had already seen my previous post that I disagree with you and she has the right to agree with you, a she posted. I did not have to tell her I disagree with her because that was already obvious. I was thanking her for the second part of her post. Did you read the second part? You should.
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It is obviously that you are playing game with me.

There is nothing about agree or disagree.

When you apply for discount fare to ride the bus because you are disabled so deafness is part of disability, however you are disabled because you can't hear.
 
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