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The debate over whether deafness is a disability is divided, with some arguing that it is due to the reduction in quality of life, while others, particularly those who are deaf, argue that it is not a disability as they have their own language and do not feel hindered. The argument against sign language being a language is that a deaf person cannot learn a spoken language. However, many deaf people do not feel disabled and believe that deafness enriches their lives. The definition of disability may not apply to all deaf people, and some argue that laws regarding deafness are outdated.
Whether or not people should call deafness a disability is a hotly debated issue with two main opposing viewpoints. Many people argue that deafness is definitely a disability; it is often the result of irreversible damage to the ear and can significantly reduce quality of life. Other people, especially those who are deaf, argue that deafness is not a disability because members of the deaf community have their own language. For them, calling deafness a disability is like saying a person is disabled because they don’t speak the same language as everyone else. They do not feel disabled or hindered by their deafness and may be reviled by terms such as “hearing impaired” or “deaf”.
The argument against the idea that sign language is just another language is often that the deaf person cannot learn a new language. Someone who speaks French in an area where most people speak English can possibly learn the English language to better communicate with English speakers. It is often argued that since a deaf person cannot, for example, learn English or French as a spoken language, the argument that sign language is simply another language and deafness is not a disability falls apart . This argument applies to deaf people who can speak a language, because they most likely cannot learn a new one.
However, the fact remains that many deaf people do not feel disabled in any way and believe that they lead lives just as free and fulfilling as those who can hear. Indeed, some deaf people insist that deafness is a gift that enriches their daily lives. For people who share these beliefs, pity or the insistence that deafness is a disability can be very hurtful. These beliefs are often stronger in people who are born deaf than in people who have suffered an injury or developed a condition that ultimately leads to deafness.
One dictionary definition of disability is a “disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage,” which may not apply to deafness in all people. Deafness is legally considered a disability in many areas, but it can be argued that some laws are outdated or overly sympathetic to people who are simply different. For some, calling deafness a disability is common sense; for others, calling deafness a disability is an ignorant slur from those who have not yet explored the world and the deaf community.
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