Yes, deaf people see hands, both in the same way hearing people do and often as a primary mode of communication through sign language.
The crucial point is that being deaf refers to a hearing impairment, not a visual one. Therefore, deaf individuals possess the ability to see in the same way hearing individuals do, unless they also have a visual impairment. Seeing hands is essential for deaf people who use sign language as their primary means of communication. This includes:
- Seeing hands in general: Deaf individuals, like hearing individuals, perceive hands as part of their environment.
- Seeing hands signing: For many deaf individuals, seeing hands signing is vital for communication. Sign language relies on the visual perception of handshapes, movements, and facial expressions.
The experience of working with Deaf patients in psychiatric settings highlights this point. While some Deaf individuals might experience visual hallucinations or distortions (seeing hands that aren't there), as can occur in any population within a psychiatric setting, the vast majority of Deaf individuals who use sign language rely on their vision to understand and communicate.
