"When I use the word "handicapped," my deaf friends get angry. Why is that?"
Before reading this chapter I am going to reflect on the previous chapter that I did read. This question goes back to the idea of being classified into these defined groups that only focus on one aspect of a person. Maybe this is what causes much of your friends anger.According to American Heritage Dictionary, the word "handicap" has several meanings, but the definition that I will talk about is "a deficiency, especially an anatomical, physiological, or mental deficiency, that prevents or restricts normal achievement" (Moore, Lev. p. 249).
This definition alone could also be another reason as to why your friends get angry when the word is used. Although, medically the definition classifies a deaf person as handicapped because it is a disability, and it is a disorder but because a deaf person can not hear does not enable them from normal achievements (besides hearing).
I feel that because society is known for classifying groups of people with these names, deaf community may get more offended by which they are placed because they do not see themselves as handicapped.
"Every person, deaf, hearing, or whatever, is an individual. Let this not be forgotten. We need to get beyond the limitations imposed by labels" (p.251).
I agree with you completely! Just because they have a different language and way of communicating than a hearing person does not in any means classify them as disabled or crippled. It didn’t surprise me to read that “The majority of deaf people do not see themselves as handicapped” (pg. 250). I don’t think that the word “Handicapped” should be used to describe deaf people.
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