Deaf Citizens

I have never really had this happen before.
So I was in my car and someone comes up and hands me a pamphlet through the window, I was confused at first until the person pointed at the words below...
I am deaf.
So the pamphlet was to educate non-deaf people on sign language and what not. You can pay whatever price you want for the pamphlet... one problem I had no money. So I tried to vocalize I had no money about four times of course he couldn't hear me, but what else was I suppose to do I dont know sign language. After a bit he understood what I was saying because maybe he could read lips, Idk. Anyways I felt really bad because I couldn't give him any money for the cause. I was also kinda embarrased, becuase I felt stupid trying to speak out loud to a deaf person. But the man didn't seem upset he actually patted me on the shoulder and smiled, then walked away. I think I might try to pick some sign language up... never know when it will come in handy haha.