d/Deaf/HOH Identities ┃ ASL Stew

[@mkjrhodes]

Loved how you have voice, asl, /and/ captions. So many people fail to be inclusive to all forms of communication. thank you so much!

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+mkjrhodes That's one of our main goal to be universal accessible as much as we can.

[@beckigreen]

Ok, this is off topic, and a long comment, but I had to help a cashier at American Eagle communicate with a Deaf customer the other day. I'm not good at ASL, I can do PSE, and I'm very nervous I will screw up whoever I'm signing with. Anyway, the music at American Eagle is Really loud, and me and another lady walked to the register at the same time. The cashier told the Deaf Lady that I was in line first. I looked and could see the Lady was wearing 2 hearing aids. She looked like she couldn't hear the Cashier, so she looked at me. I signed- I'm fine, you go, I'm ok. The Lady looked at me and asked Do you know Sign Language? She looked shocked. I signed back- I understand a little, but I'm learning and I feel stupid when I sign. She smiled and laughed a little at me and she signed back, that she could understand me fine. She also signed thank you for letting me go first, and told me to keep practicing. That very nice compliment has given me more confidence to try to sign in public. And yes, I realize the Deaf Lady didn't need my help but the cashier sure did, because she was over enunciating her words and practically yelling at the Lady, when all she had to do was just give her a pen and paper if she didn't know how to sign. There have been a few times when I've seen a Deaf Person wearing a shirt I've liked, and I've been to scared to ask where the person bought the shirt. I'm not scared to try to ask a question to anyone using ASL because that lady at American Eagle gave me the confidence I needed.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Becki Green That's awesome you're gaining confidence! Thank you for sharing your story. :)

[@khansen98]

I recognize that this comment was made 5 years ago haha but it resonated with me. When I was 16 I worked as a retail associate at Legoland and I had a deaf customer come through my line. Once I realized they were Deaf (they didn't have hearing aids or cochlear implants that I could see) I pulled some receipt paper and a pen to communicate with them. After that I taught myself some basic signs for "Hello" "how can I help you?" etc. but it's still stuck with me so much that I'm now taking ASL classes through my college to become more proficient in it. There's really no downsides to learning ASL imo, it's beneficial to Deaf and Hearing people in so many situations without even delving into mental health and how it can benefit people with neurodivergencies.

[@JC-zw2uh]

In general, I would say I've come across as four categories of person within the Deaf community: 1. d/Deaf (some people with no hearing at all sometimes are called 'profoundly deaf') 2. Hard of hearing (people who have some ability to hear and don't consider themselves 'Deaf' for whatever reason) 3. Deafened (people born with some or full hearing ability, that later lose some or all of their hearing later on in life) 4. Hearing (includes groups like CODAs) There is sometimes an overlap between some of the groups and it's up to each individual to give themselves an identify as you said.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+JC yeah I've seen late deafened for number 3 too.

[@candicemyers8458]

I identify as HOH , but where I live there's no deaf community so I'm still learning but it can be difficult. But I can say I get annoyed with people tell me that I'm hearing disabled. Just like I had one person ask "why wear hearing aids isn't there surgery to fix you?" There's nothing to fix. Don't ask people with hearing problems that question.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Candice Myers Yes ignorance can be very frustrating to deal with. I get asked that a lot too.

[@andermiskinis4989]

I have a mild hearing loss in my left ear that was caused by many middle ear infections as a child. I personally prefer to use the term Hard of Hearing (HoH). I feel it best suits me. I wear a hearing aid in that ear and I’m learning sign language. My fiancé is learning it as well. I am so grateful to him. At first I was hesitant to consider myself part of the d/Deaf and HoH community because I didn’t know if I was “deaf enough” but a few friends told me that it doesn’t matter. I do have some hearing loss and if I wanted to be involved in the community I should be allowed to. If someone were to tell me I wasn’t deaf enough, I should just brush it off and continue anyway because their opinion doesn’t matter. Your video here just confirmed that, and coming from a Deaf person I feel it holds a bit more weight. So thank you. You saying that meant a lot. Thanks!!

[@deafbibliophile9014]

I'm Deafplus meaning I'm Deaf but also have a disability I'm a wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy love your videos just found your channel

[@mightymausmer9037]

Hi! I'm Meredith. I am having trouble with my hearing loss because I grew up in a very kind of closed minded community of hearing people who were not open to the concept that my hearing is and has been changing. It was called Selective Hearing. I do have attention deficit issues, yes, but I have had to come to terms with the fact, at 31, that I need to double down in learning how to sign because my hearing is in fact changing. I do not have access to an audiologist, I have no official diagnosis. I recognize the issue myself, because that is what I have to go on at this juncture. (As I write this I keep second guessing, editing, thinking I sound like I'm "hopping on a band wagon" or culturally appropriating as that's what I have been told by my hearing friends and family and it is hard to ignore that. From the bottom of my heart, I do not wish to kick into your community on a vacation. If I offend, please be kind, I intend no foul though I know that intention and result do not always align. Cool, so I just bared my Anxiety! *aaaaah* Sorry for the tangent-- back to regularly scheduled programming...) I have a question, because of the way my journey through this is taking me. Being raised by people who have no experience with the Deaf community, frankly by a bunch of people who are insensitive, what are the parameters to choosing an identity? (Can you tell there was some Catholic in that upbringing? Great for the lesbian who can't hear. It's awesome.) Should I, in the interest of respecting the journeys that others have travelled, avoid identifying as anything within the community until I've seen an audiologist? Looking for any answers. Feeling alone and scared and like I do not belong in the hearing world and like I'm being a DudeBro for trying to even breach such a wonderfully beautiful place as the Deaf community with my two "Selective Hearing" ears. Thank you for giving me the courage to ask this question as it is one I have been wrangling by myself for the last decade or so. I'm sorry it was so long. Be well, live in peace.

[@DavidWillanski]

In my studies, I came across one story of a CODA who played for his Deaf club's basketball team until another team demanded he have a hearing test. His teammates argued he was culturally Deaf, but he was kicked out of the tournament because the rules said only small-d deaf people could play.

[@DavidWillanski]

(I wish I could remember which book I found this story in)

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+David Willanski yeah that happens. CODA's are sort of the fencers too.

[@LexieJoiner]

+J. Stew as a Deaf person I feel uncomfortable when people who are not d/deaf or hoh try to use the D/Deaf label. To me it's similar to how speaking Spanish doesn't make you a Hispanic person. I know hearing people that are fluent in ASL and that are deeply immersed in Deaf culture and that's great! But I don't think it necessarily makes them Deaf.

[@louietoro5360]

Thank you, Jenna you nailed it, the most important thing is be respectful.

[@frenchiegirlintheusa]

I have decided that I need to be part of the deaf community. I am hard of hearing, and all my life I have been living in the hearing world, but lately my hearing has gotten a lot worse to the point that I am having a hard time hearing and understanding what people say. I feel out of place. I have decided that it is time to socialize with the deaf community. I never used ASL, and I am starting baby steps 1st I need to know my ABC's which I am learning on my on thru apps. I feel that I am at 80% of knowing the letters. I want to learn, and I am hoping that the community will accept me.

[@TheStews]

[Jenna] You're always welcome in the Deaf community! I wish you best of luck on your journey. :)

[@marianflores3718]

Kiss FIST, I am glad you made this video. I am a CODA and I consider myself as culturally deaf not Deaf, hearing but not Hearing. Anyways, I shared your video on FB in hopes to clarify any questions people may have regarding the Deaf community.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Marian Flores Thank you for sharing the video!

[@oddfellowfloyd]

I never really knew what to call myself, if I had to. Growing up, I was legally blind and hard of hearing (slowly progressing hearing loss), and was put in the NJ CBVI Deaf-Blind unit because of my dual vision/hearing losses... Now, I like to say that I am deaf-blind ("little d-deaf, and low-vision)", as I have a moderate-profound hearing loss, and my vision has gone down some, too. :/ I was raised oral, but studied some sign in middle school, and again in University. I love signing (mostly PSE), though I don't have enough people around to practice with, and everyone wants me to use my voice instead. When I'm out and about though, and in difficult listening situations, I'll what little sign I know, to drive home the point that I cannot hear, and usually people are better at facing me. :) On rare occasion, I'll use pad/pen. :)

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+oddfellowfloyd Thank you for sharing your story! It's great to have several options for communication.

[@applextree1554]

This helps a lot, thank you! I'm hearing but I'm learning ASL. I'm not diagnosed with anything but sometimes I miss words when I'm listening to someone speak (like the tv) so I leave closed captions on most of the time--except for sporting events & live things, as it's just too slow. This is off topic but I think it's interesting how many different types of people can benefit from one little thing like CC.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Emily Theresa Welby Definitely! I've met hearing people learning English by using the closed captions on TV. Jill keeps CC on her TV long before she met me. Many people can benefit from closed captions, not just Deaf people.

[@micky1312]

This makes a lot more sense now

[@TheStews]

+micky131 Glad this helps clarify!

[@shannie602]

You explain it thoughtfully and clearly thanks

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+shannie602 you're welcome!

[@Wenefreda]

I keep watching this video over and over as i mull over in my head if i meet the "criteria" to be considered a HOH person. So i figure why don't i just ask, If i have mild -moderate hearing loss(progressive due to meneiere's disease)in my left ear and use a H.A. with the right effected too just not as bad. Does that mean I'm hoh? I have started going to deaf coffee chats and once someone i normally spoke with saw my new hearing aid and asked a question. When i said hoh i explained my situation he said no your not you just wear a hearing aid. It left me feeling like a fraud or i was attempting to take on an identity that wasn't mine and didn't belong to me.

[@kelseydingman5481]

I finally understand the difference between deaf and Deaf, thank you! Also, I really enjoy seeing more of Jenna! I have a question for the two of you since you live in New York. I am visiting NYC for a trip this next week and am wanting to meet/see some of the deaf community while I'm there. Do either of you know of any good places/deaf chats/deaf events going on in NYC next week/weekend? I would LOVE to see to compare signs from the midwest and maybe meet some deaf people while I am there. Keep making the awesome videos and practice tools such as the Facebook group! :)

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Kelsey Dingman Thank you! We actually live pretty far from NYC, so can't help you with that :( However you should try check out Deaf NYC News on Facebook or this: www.meetup.com/NYCASL/

[@MeggZ91]

great vid it DEFINITELY educates people on what it means thanks for teaching people :) love your vids always educational and yet entertaining :)

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+MeggZ91 you're welcome!

[@ajb3983]

I enjoyed this video! Just learned about this topic a couple weeks ago in my ITP. Thanks for the review:)

[@TheStews]

+Adam Bradberry Always happy to help! :)

[@jciser702]

all my deaf friends called me hard of hearing and my hearing friends called me deaf. I didn't know which I was but you explained a lot. thank you and I fell I am just Jennifer. lol I find that when with deaf friends very much into the deaf culture and raise my children to choose to sign or not sign. they all sign little but out of six kids I notice oldest less to youngest a lot. anyways I guess all my friends got it right because around hearing I am more deaf and around deaf am more hard of hearing.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+j ciser yeah I know what you mean. Identity can be fluid depending on whom you interact with. Its just part of who you are not necessarily everything you are.

[@lexinelopez5436]

My professor told us that there are 7 types of deaf people. She went into A LOT of detail, the ones I can think of off the top of my head are, Deaf, deaf, late deafened, oral deaf, uneducated deaf. I have my paper with the info in my room somewhere, but it was really interesting to hear her views. I'm curious about what your view on "peddlers" in the deaf community is. My professor went on a bit of a rant about deaf folks who get hearing people to feel bad about their deafness and try to sell flashcards with signed asl alphabet and have a card saying they cant hear. She feels that these people, the "uneducated deaf," make the community look bad, and says that she confronts them when she sees them.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Lexine Lopez Well, I don't like to "look down" or criticize people and their choices. I don't know the circumstances of the peddlers or uneducated deaf because most often they are victims of discrimination. Unable to get proper education, language development, etc. It's certainly possible that their methods of selling cards and whatnot are the only way they can survive. I don't think we should blame them for this problem.. we should look at the bigger picture of why they feel they have to do this way.

[@lexinelopez5436]

+J. Stew I agree completely :) It's always good to get an alternative view. I suppose she felt that way because she feels that it makes hearing people who have no outside connection to the deaf world assume that being a peddler is the extent of Deaf people's abilities when it's not true. I think she just doesn't want hearing people to feel bad for deaf people, as if being Deaf means not being able to be successful.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

I can understand that perspective.

[@DarkAurora2002]

I've also seen people sign Deaf Hard of Hearing. It's people who consider themselves culturally Deaf but aren't profoundly deaf

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Robert Nicholson (Bobby) The cool thing about identity is it can be adapted to fit a person's preference.

[@nicholasshukla7380]

I am Deaf.. I took ASL class in senior year and my ASL teacher told me that there are between "d" and "D". "d"eaf is mean group like event, meeting, social medias, and groups. While, "D"eaf is mean, "I am Deaf", my husband is Deaf, my son is Deaf or someone who is single person like, again, "I am Deaf." So, "d"eaf and "D"eaf are between in means.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Nicholas Shukla That can be true too.

[@justmeish1997]

I am HOH and I also use the term Hearing Impaired... it doesn't bother me :)

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+justmeish1997 That's perfectly fine! Like I said, it's entirely up to each of us to identify as what we feel is right fit.

[@justmeish1997]

+J. Stew ok :)

[@KoriJaiden]

+justmeish1997 That's the term my aunt goes by as well. It's sort of common here still in my area with the older generation.

[@jillgodfrey8445]

yea, how nicolas explained it that is how it was explain to me, hmmm, I think ur version, makes ALOT more sense 👍

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Jill godfrey it can be used in that way too.

[@patriciaohaver6520]

I liked how you defined deaf vs Deaf. I would like to share your video with my director for her talk show signwithmeinc

[@TheStews]

Sure you can share our videos (with proper credits). :)

[@raidercheer80]

some people say oral Deaf as their identity to communicate their communication method but also community involvement

[@TheStews]

[Jenna] yeah, I've seen that before too.

[@sailingamongthestars2962]

Hello, I have a question. I used to be able to hear perfectly, no problems, I could always understand what people would say to me and I could always speak back. Somewhere along the line, I stopped having that kind of ability to a certain extent. I often need to ask people to repeat things about 20 times before I can even begin to understand what they said to me. It recently came to my attention that I might have some sort of hearing problem. Ever since I was about 8 or 9 years old, nothing has sounded the same way it used to. To me, everything sounds like I have earplugs in or I'm underwater. What I hear is very fuzzy. Would that mean that I could identify as hard of hearing? I'm afraid to call myself that in case of offending anybody and inserting myself into a community where I don't belong. But seeing as how my hearing isn't what it used to be, I'm curious as to what that could mean. Could I consider myself hard of hearing? Or should I avoid it just for the sake of being respectful?

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+SailingAmongTheStars I would recommend you to meet with an audiologist to see if you have some type of hearing loss or if it's auditory processing disorder. It would be easier to understand which identity would fit you the best once you learn what you have.

[@sailingamongthestars2962]

+J. Stew Okay, thank you. I'll be sure to schedule an appointment soon to figure things out. Thank you for the help.

[@stulifesgood]

Hey you guys i always love when you upload. I am hearing but becoming more and more involved in the Deaf culture as I have studied over the last couple of years. One of my newer friends uses a lot of S.E.E. as this is what he and his family used when he grew up. I try to change over to S.E.E. When talking with him but he uses a lot words that I did not learn (ex: he, she, the, was....) can I please upload or link me to a place where I could learn more SEE for when that comes up

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Stuart Scott I'm not aware of any online resource where you can learn specifically S.E.E. signs and can't find in google search. You might have to ask your friend to teach you more signs. Thank you for watching our videos!

[@MillerMusicArts]

In your opinion would you say that a person can still call themselves or be considered culturally Deaf, being involved in the Deaf community and using sign as a second language, without having any physical hearing loss or deafness or would they still probably be considered hearing?

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Cameron Miller they will always be hearing.

[@fran1294]

Just wish I could read your signing. I'm taking a wonderful sign language class at the moment. I'm hard of hearing.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

You will be able to understand my signing after you learn some more! It takes some time. :)

[@fran1294]

Grandparents were deaf so, my father's fist language was sign language

[@mik_creates4016]

I feel like a lot of people who identify as "hearing impaired" are older people who lost their hearing later in life, at least in my experience. I'm HOH, and my local Deaf community has been really welcoming, which is good for me because I really want to improve my ASL and have a setting in which to use it!

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Mikaila Conklin yes that can happen. Some may call themselves late-deafened too. Whatever fits them the best. I'm glad you have good experiences with your local Deaf community!

[@mik_creates4016]

+J. Stew yes I've heard that term too! Thanks!

[@nightwalker4769]

+Mikaila Conklin I'm also HOH and I've been trying to get involved with my local Deaf community but they're very hard to find, unfortunately xD Can I ask how you started getting into contact with them? Or found out where events were? Because all the links to my community's stuff are either 404 errors or the calendars haven't been updated in a few years :/

[@mik_creates4016]

+nightwalker4769 luckily there's a very active FB page for my area. That's how I know about everything. If there's a college with an interpreting program nearby maybe get in touch with them? A lot of interpreting students come to Deaf events where I am, so they are probably the most likely people outside of the community to know about stuff going on. Sorry that's not more helpful!

[@nightwalker4769]

+Mikaila Conklin No, that's very helpful! Thank you c: I took your advice and found some ASL students at a community college who pointed me in the direction of the active Deaf FB group for my area that was "join by invite only" and got me added ^^ And since I've joined, I've been able to find out when and where events are! Go figure xD There's actually a Deaf event in my campus's museum this weekend and I'm extremely excited to go and meet people and sign all day ^_^

[@MegaNatalie22]

I was born deaf and later i got CI when i was 3. Is that mean im identified as hard of hearing or deaf bc ASL is my first language and i interact with deaf people a lot so. I've always said im deaf. Bc i born deaf so im proud to be deaf.

[@jessibpower]

You identify yourself as whatever you feel fits you best! Personally, I would think of you as Deaf, even with your CI! :)

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Jessi DorkyDIY you're right!

[@ajb3983]

What is PC?

[@n.c.435]

ok this is gonna be rambley but hopefully I can get my point across -- I actually have really good hearing, I can hear what's going on far away from me, but I can't *understand* it bc I have trouble with auditory processing. so I usually end up watching the captions n reading along n the sound kinda fades away for me. im saying this bc Every Single Time I see the word "d/Deaf" in an asl/deaf related video my brain reads it as "d-deaf" like it's stuttering dfgcjdshfjsk

[@jesse382]

Who does the voice over?

[@Jaelily319]

Glad I saw this comment! I was going to ask the same thing!

[@randomguy6739]

They said in one video that it is Jill but she uses something to deepen the voice.

[@Jaelily319]

+Random Guy That's what I was wondering. Thank you for clearing that up!

[@jesse382]

Random Guy oh okay, I always though that voice matched her and thats because it is her!

[@Crz4wizard]

Thank you...

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Crz4wizard you're welcome!

[@martialartsnerd7673]

If you had the choice to hear would you. Why or why not.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+AL E Technically, I do have choice if I want to hear by wearing my hearing aids. :)

[@martialartsnerd7673]

+J. Stew I looked up the word "Impaired" and it said something about something being weakened or damaged. So would hearing impaired just mean weak/damaged hearing? I don't think they are referring to the actual person. But I will no longer use that term.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

Most Deaf people don't like that term because it focuses on negativity.

[@martialartsnerd7673]

J. Stew That makes a lot of sence.

[@annak9096]

What are your thoughts on those with auditory processing disorders identifying as HoH or Deaf?

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+Katherine “Eliza Schuyler” The Fansie I don't know much about these disorders, but I assume they experience miscommunication and some of the common deaf experiences, so why not?

[@lexinelopez5436]

+Katherine “Eliza Schuyler” The Fansie What would be an example of auditory processing disorder? I have severe TMJ, so often times I get really bad vertigo and lose a huge amount of my hearing in my left ear for a few minutes up to nearly an hour if I don't take medication to relax the joints near my ears. I've only ever once said I am hard of hearing. But I didn't feel right saying it. So I usually just say my hearing is sometimes bad.

[@annak9096]

Lexine Lopez Well, there's just one auditory processing disorder. I made a typo in my original post, I'm sorry. Auditory processing disorder is a learning disability where the brain has trouble, well, processing auditory input. Often, a child with auditory processing disorder will seem to have a hearing loss but when tested have "perfect" hearing (although APD and hearing loss can coexist). People with APD have trouble understanding speech remembering what was said to them, reading comprehension, speaking, and spelling. For instance, very rarely can I understand the words to songs, and I can almost never tell the difference between "seventeen" and "seventy". Those are just a few signs.

[@lexinelopez5436]

+Anna The Fansie (Katherine) Oh! I see. That's interesting, I have never heard of that until now! Thanks for the explanation!

[@annak9096]

No problem!

[@daviddeharty2656]

HOH hand on hands meaning deaf and blind community.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

+David DeHarty interesting. Never heard of that before.

[@daviddeharty2656]

Where I'm from in Fresno California. It is an interesting way to of communication. Its people who are becoming blind or deaf. They re identify with one. I would like to know more about it my friends who are deaf supports and communicate back and forth with the Deaf and Blind locally. I feel like they're on the side that there were raised deaf using American sign language slowly becoming blind as well. In communicating covering the other hand to understand. I've learned the Deaf and Blind they have a lot of issues but similar in anybody's life just a little harder because you don't have the senses. I hope that can clarify what I meant. If you research or even locally learn stuff I may understand it a bit more. I wonder what you would take from this in your daily life and benefit others around you with your opinion. Thank you for responding.

[@JStew-wv8kh]

I've seen that called tactile signing when they put their hands on other person's hands to feel their signs.

[@dr.eviloverlord3603]

I heard some words...ah some of them aren't so nice. EX: mute or deaf & dumb. Believe it or not, they are still used anywhere. Hearing impaired, in my opinion, it's a proper term without actually offends anyone. What I know, most professions that work in medical field use this word. Funny thing, you said deafness isn't broken, technically, a deaf individual's ears or nerve in a brain isn't functioning as they should. Perhaps a word "broken" is a harsh word.

[@infalliblestars]

Are you in any way deaf or hard of hearing? If not, it is not your place to say what is offensive to us. I'm not being nasty, you just don't have the perspective or experience to say it's not offensive when many of us with experience say it is offensive. Nothing is broken about me.

[@dr.eviloverlord3603]

+infalliblestars I am hearing and I'm pretty sure that I have a much rights as you to have an opinion about deaf regardless deaf or not. We live in the world that do overly care about being politically correct. Hearing Impaired is a one of few words that doesn't actually offends without actually offending anyone. Would you prefer doctors labeling you as deaf & dumb or broken? I don't think so. I don't know why we can't use Hearing impaired because it's possibly an offensive word and how it's a negative connotation because of word 'impaired'. Of course not, I don't think Deaf is broken, but to simply to point out the reality of deafness. You are deaf because you can't hear. Is that a fact? If yes, your auditory reception isn't functioning as they should. I simply said that a word 'broken' is a harsh word to say to a Deaf individual. I'm quoting you, "Nothing is broken about me."...pretty much sum up my point.

[@infalliblestars]

+Dr. EvilOverlord I'm sorry but you are hearing and you can not deem what is appropriate or offensive to us. Using deaf suffices as a label for us, medically. You can have your own opinion, but don't think it's ok for you to speak over us. It does not affect you, and it never will. I'm not malfunctioning. I don't have anything malfunctioning. I'm simply born without the ability of hearing. Nothing more, nothing less. Just call us deaf or hard of hearing.

[@funnygrrl3463]

+Dr. EvilOverlord Think of it as a culture like African American or Italian. There are terms used (hopefully, in the past) for both groups that the groups may determine are offensive. Those of us not in that culture are not the ones to decide what is offensive. We may make a mistake. Hearing Impaired is used in some places on signs/forms and we may think that is the correct term to use. When the group asks us not to use that term we stop. It takes governments and organizations longer to make changes usually but as individuals we can use the term preferred by the group as soon as we are informed. I appreciate Deaf people telling us what is best for them. If my slight change of speech helps people feel validated or heard (no pun intended) I will gladly make the change.