I'm hearing impaired and I loathe the word 'deaf'. Just don't like it. My husband was horrified yesterday because an elderly woman queue jumped, then got offensive when she wasn't served instantly in Waterstones and loudly told the entire shop she should be able to jump the queue "Because I came up in the lift because I am handicapped!" I don't think I have heard anyone use the word 'handicapped' since ca. 1979 and must admit I'd rather never hear it again. The fact she was disabled and using the word herself was immaterial.
Maybe it is just semantics but if these things offend anyone - end them.
It's weird seeing (non hearing impaired) people saying "deaf" is acceptable and fine because I don't think it is. And it is as jarring to me as "handicapped".
I am disabled and completely deaf in one ear, and I don't like the word handicapped. When on holiday in the USA a few years back, I noticed that people always said "handicapped" there and never disabled. Perhaps the old misery who jumped the queue was American?
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I am disabled and completely deaf in one ear, and I don't like the word handicapped. When on holiday in the USA a few years back, I noticed that people always said "handicapped" there and never disabled. Perhaps the old misery who jumped the queue was American?