Growing up in the deaf community: Reflections on culturally competent care

Growing up in a household with my Deaf grandparents provided insight into and experience within the Deaf community as a hearing person. Deaf with a capital D refers to an individual who is both deaf and identifies as part of the Deaf culture and community. Deaf with a lowercase d refers to an individual who is deaf or has hearing loss, but may not identify as part of the Deaf culture and community. Because of the role of culture and community, identity-first language is often preferred by members of the Deaf community.