One of the values that make up deaf culture is what is often called "Deaf Pride." Many deaf people do not view themselves as "disabled" or handicapped," but instead see themselves independent and educated individuals, proud of their language and culture, and their ability to overcome difficulties. The deaf argue that they need fairness and equality more than they need sympathy.

Directness is often considered a deaf norm. Hearing people often use different language to address sensitive or embarrassing questions. Deaf people tend to address these issues more directly.

Theory of Deaf Community Development: Is there really a deaf community? Where did it come from?

One Generation Thick: Most parents of the deaf are hearing, so are their children. This fact makes the grouping of the deaf as a community different than other linguistic communities.

Deaf Children of Deaf Parents: Studies have shown that in the Western world deaf children of deaf parents tend to have higher language levels and better social comfort than their peers raised by hearing parents.

References:

Schein, Jerome D. and Silvia Golocovsky. "Special Education, Rehabilitation, and the Deaf Community," la educación, Vol. 120, 1995: 1. Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development: Washington D.C.