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Deaf people view being Deaf as a positive <br />aspect of who they are, not something that <br />needs to be fixed. Instead of viewing <br />themselves as lacking hearing, many Deaf <br />and hard of hearing people identify as <br />members of a distinct cultural group in the <br />United States. <br />Deaf Culture <br />Deaf culture coalesces around the use of a <br />shared language and values that encourage <br />close relationships and connections with <br />other Deaf people, as well as common <br />behavioral norms and traditions. <br />Language <br />American Sign Language (ASL) is a <br />visual/gestural language that has no vocal <br />component. ASL is a complete, grammatically <br />complex language. It differs from a <br />communication code designed to represent <br />English directly. ASL is not a universal <br />language, however. <br />