When “hearing impaired” is used instead of Deaf, identity is reduced.

Part of the Micro-Stories series – everyday truths of Deaf identity and access.

This moment is shared in BSL with English subtitles to support access across audiences.

This BSL video may require cookies to load. You can enable cookies if you’d like to watch.

“Hearing impaired” names loss.

“Deaf” names identity.

One is imposed.

The other is lived.

Language doesn’t just describe us.

It decides how we’re treated.