Deaf & Hard of Hearing Research

[nick.jeschke]

Ok. I just got word from my teacher today that we will be doing any research report we want. But it must be on deafness/hearing loss/American Sign Language. (its my ASL class). Well, as the Disney Nut I am...I thought of Deaf & Hard of Hearing services in WDW. But rather than just read about them. I wanted to go, ask questions and even use the same equipment if I could and get a look at it. Anyone know someone I can contact to prearrange this or something? I need some quick help with this, seeing that the paper may be due in the next two weeks (Teacher has not decided yet). And I may need to take time off work on the weekend to do a research trip. Thanks!

[Figment1982]

They have reflective captioning devices for use in the shows/movies (such as Muppets, Fantasmic, etc.). I'm not sure if they'll let you use one, but it's worth a shot. You can talk to someone in Guest Relations and perhaps they'll at least let you look at it.

[tasha36]

Why don't you get some ear plugs/ear muffs and go to the parks to experience what it would be like for someone who was hard of hearing? I agree with the above too - Guest Relations can usually help with most things.

[nick.jeschke]

I've done the earplugs thing at school before for a requiored project. The earplugs didnt work out so well though. I could still hear plenty and felt like I just had to focus just a bit more than normal to understand what someone was saying. I can understand if they wont let me use the equipment, but I at least want to get a good look at it and ask some questions at guest relations. And even see if there was any signing going on at a show sometime in the day at attend and hopefully talk to the CM. That would be plenty of research for me!

[Figment1982]

There are special sign language-interpreted shows for various performances around property. Ask any CM - it's in their Tell-A-Cast information booklet for the week. Also, the parades are often interpreted in a specific spot. I remember watching the Remember the Magic parade back in '96 by the Hall of Presidents and watching a CM sign the song. It was quite beautiful.

They also sign the Candlelight Processional, my friend has a very short video of a CM signing at it if that would help you. Obviously you couldn't go watch it now!

[disneyfanatic101]

I'm hearing impaired too! I wear hearing aids. I know about the reflective captioning and the interpreter. I don't need any of that stuff though, w/my hearing aids I can hear very well, and I can read lips.

[nick.jeschke]

There are special sign language-interpreted shows for various performances around property. Ask any CM - it's in their Tell-A-Cast information booklet for the week. Also, the parades are often interpreted in a specific spot. I remember watching the Remember the Magic parade back in '96 by the Hall of Presidents and watching a CM sign the song. It was quite beautiful.

They also sign the Candlelight Processional, my friend has a very short video of a CM signing at it if that would help you. Obviously you couldn't go watch it now!

I did get to see the CM signing when I saw Candlelight. But the project was sadly far off from then. But it was beautiful to watch and see.
I just checked the DWT books to see if Lou had any facts in there. But I could not find anything...and I was hoping to be able to cite Lou as a source!