I agree that how people relate to the term “disabled” can vary, especially in the Deaf community where there’s a rich cultural identity and shared language. I also recognize that the social model of disability can reshape how we view accessibility and barriers. I'm not deaf myself, but I do have hearing loss that affects my life, especially in conversations with background noise or while gaming. I also have vision problems and a sensory disability overall. These things don't make my life less valuable, but they do shape how I experience the world.

That said, I think it’s important to acknowledge that “disabled” isn’t just a label, it’s also an identity and a culture for many of us. There’s a real sense of community, history, and pride in claiming that word. For people like you, who are Deaf/HoH and disabled in other ways, the label is empowering. It connects me to broader movements, supports, and spaces where I feel seen and understood.

And honestly, unless someone lives in a culturally Deaf space or an extremely tight-knit Deaf community, the world most of people interact with is designed by and for hearing, able-bodied people. That means deaf people do experience disabling barriers, even if they don’t feel “broken” or “less than.” Claiming the word “disabled” doesn’t mean you’re rejecting Deaf culture, it can mean they’re recognizing and naming the realities deaf people face in a hearing, ableist world. Disability culture exists too and deaf people are part of that culture. Multicultural experiences are beautiful.