When he tells people that he is deaf, Oliver Stabbe is called a liar. "The idea that deaf people cannot speak is a very offensive assumption," the sophomore(大二学生) said.
Stabbe’s experience speaks of many of the misunderstandings about deaf people and the struggles they face — things commonly found right in Rochester. This city is home to 90,000 deaf people, a significant slice of the more than 1.1 million national population. The percentage of deaf people here is higher than the national average, due in part to RITs National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the first technological college in the world created specifically for the deaf and hard of hearing.
"Really, there seems to be an embarrassment in communicating with deaf people," said sophomore Stephen Davis, another deaf student. This awkwardness might arise because non-deaf people just don't know how to do so without possibly offending someone. "I guess they think saying ‘deaf’ is offensive, but it really isn't and deaf people don't get upset about it," Davis said. He noted that the biggest issue he's had when communicating with other students is their anxiety about communicating.
Deaf or hard-of-hearing students also face frustrations(令人心烦的事) on their end when interacting with others. "Sometimes people talk about you, maybe to a non-deaf friend standing beside me, as if I’m not there," Davis said. "That’s depressing." As Davis put it, "We don’t see ourselves as the disabled, so the awkwardness is only one-sided."
Stabbe advised that those communicating should not make assumptions about others’ preferences or ability. If you have a question, ask. A moment of awkwardness is absolutely worth it if you are being educated about an important topic.
4. Why are there more deaf people in Rochester?
A.Deaf people have some privileges here. |
B.Deaf people may get better job opportunities here. |
C.Deaf people meet fewer struggles here. |
D.A professional school for the deaf appeals to them. |
5. What may embarrass people when communicating with the deaf according to Davis?
A.They are afraid of upsetting the deaf. |
B.They are unwilling to communicate. |
C.They don’t know any simple gestures. |
D.They don't challenge enough assumptions. |
6. What kind of person is Stephen Davis?
A.Sensitive and talkative. |
B.Reasonable and reliable. |
C.Confident and intelligent. |
D.Outspoken and aggressive. |
7. What can be the best title of the text?
A.We can hear your heart. |
B."Deaf" is not a bad word. |
C.Deaf people are not liars. |
D.Embarrassment is one-sided. |