Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Can people that are both deaf and blind learn a new language and use it to communicate, read and write with? (self.Blind)
submitted by Horror_Metal_2046
Can people that are both deaf and blind learn a new language and use it to communicate, read and write with?
Rethunker 2 points 2y ago
By "new language" do you mean a second or third language beyond what they already know?
Consider that many hearing people know only their mother tongue (depending on the region of the world they live in). Whether someone can learn a second language will depend on desire and/or necessity. Assume that applies to the DeafBlind as well.
To take a historical example, Helen Keller knew about half a dozen modern and ancient languages, and mastered multiple tactile writing systems, including Braille. She was quite the writer, too: check out her book The World I Live In.
Keep in mind that a DeafBlind person need not be totally deaf and totally blind. Although there are a variety of manual sign languages, some DeafBlind people have enough vision to understand sign language interpreters such as you see in televised events. High contrast between the interpreter's hands and face and the background is important.
Some DeafBlind people are oral, meaning they speak even if they can't hear. Others may not be oral. It depends on the circumstances of birth, education, etc. For example, a large fraction of DeafBlind people are born deaf, and hence learn sign language first, but then as they grow older they gradually lose their sight.
Some DeafBlind people know Braille, although Braille is a writing system rather than a separate language. Haben Girma, the first DeafBlind graduate of Harvard Law School, reads Braille on a refreshable display but then speaks, too.
ProTactile is a language created by the DeafBlind community, and so provides a strong "Yes" to your question whether the DeafBlind can learn a new language.
Consider that many hearing people know only their mother tongue (depending on the region of the world they live in). Whether someone can learn a second language will depend on desire and/or necessity. Assume that applies to the DeafBlind as well.
To take a historical example, Helen Keller knew about half a dozen modern and ancient languages, and mastered multiple tactile writing systems, including Braille. She was quite the writer, too: check out her book The World I Live In.
Keep in mind that a DeafBlind person need not be totally deaf and totally blind. Although there are a variety of manual sign languages, some DeafBlind people have enough vision to understand sign language interpreters such as you see in televised events. High contrast between the interpreter's hands and face and the background is important.
Some DeafBlind people are oral, meaning they speak even if they can't hear. Others may not be oral. It depends on the circumstances of birth, education, etc. For example, a large fraction of DeafBlind people are born deaf, and hence learn sign language first, but then as they grow older they gradually lose their sight.
Some DeafBlind people know Braille, although Braille is a writing system rather than a separate language. Haben Girma, the first DeafBlind graduate of Harvard Law School, reads Braille on a refreshable display but then speaks, too.
ProTactile is a language created by the DeafBlind community, and so provides a strong "Yes" to your question whether the DeafBlind can learn a new language.
lutrinalle 1 points 2y ago
i'm deafblind (deaf with 2 cochlear implants, blind is RP, still have decent amount of useful vision) and did GCSE Spanish and lots of people were surprised by how good at it I was. its really not hard, you just have to put the effort in and have a desire to know another language.
i probably wouldn't be able to have a full length conversation with someone in Spanish but I could ask for basic things and most likely read it on a menu/other tourist document
i probably wouldn't be able to have a full length conversation with someone in Spanish but I could ask for basic things and most likely read it on a menu/other tourist document
CloudyBeep 1 points 2y ago
A language or a code? And how would you write it?
I think that electronic communication is the easiest option. A deaf person types a message, and the blind person can use speech or audio to read it. Then the blind person can type a reply, and the deaf person can read it visually. This method is also used with deafblind people.
I think that electronic communication is the easiest option. A deaf person types a message, and the blind person can use speech or audio to read it. Then the blind person can type a reply, and the deaf person can read it visually. This method is also used with deafblind people.
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