Mocking Hearing Inpaired

[ShockMe]

To be quite shocked that after a member of the public had posted that they had found a hearing aid and hoped to re-unite it with it's owner.. Our local school's SEN teacher commented 'Pardon?'

The women/man made a joke. It's hardly on par with drowning kittens, is it

"You can't say anything offensive anymore, without someone taking offence."

Fixed that for you!

Yorkie I made a comment on her thread already. As did a couple of others. The sad thing was there were also a variety of comments from people about how it was a joke and funny etc. I think the point was missed by them about her professional position. That is the part of this that makes me feel uncomfortable. I know someone up thread said that teachers are human too but that doesn't really wash with me. She can have those personal 'jokes' but I don't think she should on a community page. I am finding myself question just how funny it is as a standalone joke anyway. It is a disability, surely that should be treated as any other and it would not be acceptable to make 'jokes' about wheelchairs users etc etc. Even if some hearing impaired people can take it - that't not really the point is it?

Yes, well, why not stir up trouble for her and get her the sack? I'm sure that will make you feel better. Wreck her life for a lame joke. Serves her right, eh?

I'm profoundly deaf and work in SEN education. The joke itself doesn't bother me, it's funny. However, I wouldn't make it openly on social media. On my private friends only page maybe but not on a public one, especially where my pupils and parents could see. In fact, we had a code of conduct to sign and I'm fairly sure this would breach it.

Silver chain - that's a pretty pathetic post. She wouldn't get the sack ffs but a sharp word from her manager would be absolutely the right thing. Grown up professionals should know how to behave on social media and if they don't, they deserve to be called to account. What she says or does in private is another matter

Silver so it's just a joke about deafness that is allowed? Any other disability is off limits is it? Serious question here, I don't want to be over sensitive or over think it but I'm not sure anyone should joke about anyone else's disability should they? Would it be ok if someone took the piss out of your 6 year old who was deaf? Where should the line be drawn. I want to set the right example to my kids.

It's a rubbish dad joke, but not offensive to my mind.

Just predictable.

DH is partially deaf and finds that joke offensive and irritating. People who use it seem to think they are the first people to have thought of it.

Irritating, yes.

Offensive? It's about how it's received I guess, examples on this thread of both perspectives.

I'm hard of hearing but don't wear hearing aids ( they don't work for my type of hearing loss) It's pretty much an invisible disability for me. When I can be bothered to explain I get the usual jokes. Not offensive just boring. Yawn! Heard them a million times, not original therefore not funny.

I'm severely deaf, have worn hearing aids since I was 8 yrs old and I sniggered at that one. Deafness is a very hidden disability: a mild joke counts as good publicity IMO.

User775 fair point. But as one will never know how the comment is going to be received until it is made - and as demonstrated here some people do find those type of comments offensive - maybe they shouldn't be socially acceptable 'jokes' anymore - just as commenting on a persons other disabilities isn't.

On a separate note OP could you advise the original poster to maybe post into the local NHS hearing aid department, particularly if it's a behind the ear style. The aid will have a serial number on it assigned to the owner on their computer system so it can be reunited.

I'm a Teacher of the deaf (hence my username). I can't imagine many deaf people I know being offended but neither would anyone find it funny. In fact when people ask me what I do and I say T of D a surprising number of people laugh and say pardon. I always want to say something like oh wow how did you come up with that? Nobody else has ever made that joke.

That is brilliant advice PJ thank you.

It concerns me the number of people who want blood on threads like these. Why can't anyone be decent enough to approach a person and say what is troubling them? I'd like to think that if I, as a teacher, had caused offence then someone would have a word rather than going to the head like a cowardly little weasel. We are professionals and deserve to be approached as such. We are not to be diverted around in the hopes the head will drag us into a back room and we'll be marched out with our tails between our legs. It's pathetic! It seems to be the witch hunting culture these days and it needs to stop.

I don't condone her actions but I do think it's a minor offence and should be dealt with peer to peer.

Tuduk do you know why is it still considered socially acceptable to do it though? As Francis so clearly spelled out. To me it's like one remaining element of 1970s playground humour that hasn't been stamped out.

There's a difference between giving offence and choosing to take it.

No way directed at you OP. Just the usual droves that demand the head is involved. And the major, and the queen, and the firing squad.

Casual I'm not sure that is a valid argument where disabilities are involved.

It's something I've had to explain to many employers, that if I can't see their mouth I can't understand fully what they're saying, and the response is always 'pardon?' followed by a little laugh. It's just something I'm used to and I'd get far more upset if they didn't accommodate my need to lipread.

Sorry ToDuk

Chocfish I'm glad you take no offence. But should my children be bought up to think it is ok to take the piss out of you for your disabilities?