Any Deaf Solo travelers?

[DeafinDisney]

Hi everyone!

I am going solo Jan 14-17 and as excited as I am about going, my fear is not being able to hear what cast members are saying, etc. I am deaf and have been most of my life. Although my speech is great, you would never know I was deaf if I didn't say anything. With masks now, it makes it even harder. I was just wondering if anyone had traveled solo who is deaf and what safety precautions or just information in general you had.

Thanks!

 

[Bete]

There may be some cast members trained in sign language.

I would wear an ID that indicates being deaf if a hearing aid doesn't work for you.

Bring a pad and pen for you to communicate that way if necessary.

I would walk slower and use my my vision more around my surroundings.

 

[BrianL]

Hi everyone!

I am going solo Jan 14-17 and as excited as I am about going, my fear is not being able to hear what cast members are saying, etc. I am deaf and have been most of my life. Although my speech is great, you would never know I was deaf if I didn't say anything. With masks now, it makes it even harder. I was just wondering if anyone had traveled solo who is deaf and what safety precautions or just information in general you had.

Thanks!

Hey and to the DIS. I can't say I have any specific advice, though I have found cast members to be very understanding and helpful, so hopefully that will go well for you. Masks do make it hard for me to understand as well sometimes. Best of luck to you and enjoy your trip - I'm sure it'll go just fine!

 

[kwdw]

I second the small pad and pen! I waited in line (pre-Covid) and the person immediately in front of me was a deaf solo traveler. Her speech was great and she normally reads lips so we actually had a conversation (it was FOP with a 90 minute wait - we had time to chat!). She talked about how she couldn't understand everything based on how people talk - and she referenced the little notepad she had in the front of her cross-body bag for easy access. While it was open to the page she had last used, she flipped to the cover for her little sign that said she was deaf and to please help by writing down what she needed to know.

I'm not sure what the person I met would do now.... she wasn't 100% deaf with hearing aids - she definitely relied on lip reading.