Assistive Listening Devices

[lanejudy]

Hi! Does anyone have experience with the Assistive Listening Devices WDW makes available? My daughter has recently been diagnosed with a mild/moderate hearing impairment, and while she now uses an FM system at school, she does not regularly use hearing aids at this time. I'm wondering if this is something we need to think about at WDW. Last time we went was a couple of years ago and she had a GAC allowing use of her stroller as a wheelchair. We'll be getting that again, and does the GAC also cover use of the Assistive Listening Devices, or do I need to make other arrangements for that? Also, are they only adult sized or would there be one for kid-size? Any help is appreciated!

 

[Talking Hands]

Hi! Does anyone have experience with the Assistive Listening Devices WDW makes available? My daughter has recently been diagnosed with a mild/moderate hearing impairment, and while she now uses an FM system at school, she does not regularly use hearing aids at this time. I'm wondering if this is something we need to think about at WDW. Last time we went was a couple of years ago and she had a GAC allowing use of her stroller as a wheelchair. We'll be getting that again, and does the GAC also cover use of the Assistive Listening Devices, or do I need to make other arrangements for that? Also, are they only adult sized or would there be one for kid-size? Any help is appreciated!

You can get an assistive listening device at guest services in each park. Depending on her age you can also get a handheld captioning device. Also depending on her age and reading ability many shows have reflective captioning that can be obtained when you enter the show. Let a CM know of the need. Finally if she uses sign language at all some shows are interpreted into ASL. A schedule can be obtained from guest services. Also you can get a GAC to assure proper seating.

 

[lanejudy]

Thank you, Lisbet!

Am I correct that the Assistive Listening Device is a headset that picks up a signal amplifying the sound for the user? I think that's our best bet as she's a very beginning-reader. I guess we'll discuss it with the CM when I request her GAC. Thanks for your help!

 

[Sandy321]

Thank you, Lisbet!

Am I correct that the Assistive Listening Device is a headset that picks up a signal amplifying the sound for the user? I think that's our best bet as she's a very beginning-reader. I guess we'll discuss it with the CM when I request her GAC. Thanks for your help!

allears has a picture and a good description

http://allears.net/pl/listen.htm
(this is what you will be looking for in your situation that you described)

they also have a description and picture of the hand held captioning device
http://allears.net/pl/handheld.htm

For others that may come in and read this thread -
http://allears.net/pl/reflect.htm
the reflective captioning (think of closed captioning on your tv)

this is what we use, we didnt find the hand held to be useful in our situation, mostly in your situation, it will be so visually overwhelming you should be fine, but you'll know when you get there!

My ds was diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss, and he had the school FM unit - what was hard for me to understand early was how hard he works at "hearing" and if he is visually overloaded, or tries so hard to "hear" that he will get tired, or he would shut down (take a nap) Its hard to realize that FM and aids only amplify the hearing they do have - for instance my son doesnt hear the sounds for "F, S, ed " etc etc - so even with the amplification, he wont hear those sounds, he has to "fill them in" He learned in school and with speech therapy - so he was tired...

with Disney your DD will get so much visually - she'll have a great time!!

 

[Talking Hands]

Thank you, Lisbet!

Am I correct that the Assistive Listening Device is a headset that picks up a signal amplifying the sound for the user? I think that's our best bet as she's a very beginning-reader. I guess we'll discuss it with the CM when I request her GAC. Thanks for your help!

Exactly. I will tell you that the CMs in Guest Services for the most part are not all that versed in working with deaf people and may only know the basics of the equipment. You have to tell them what you need and be specific.

 

[GrandMum]

I was sure I posted here this morning but either I had a memory lapse and did not save or else I can blame the snow. lol!

I will be traveling to WDW Nov 29-Dec 5 with my adult daughter who has a profound loss. She does sign but normally gets by with reading lips (and she is excellent). Since I am the uber Disney planner, I'm trying to get all the info she will need.

I was looking at the hand held device since the listener won't help her. From what I read, it will help in some of the pre-ride shows and some rides where there is narrative.

As far as the reflective captioning, how long does it take to get that set-up for a show? And I guess she should get a GAC card also?

Any other suggestions?

 

[Talking Hands]

sent you an IM

 

[Sandy321]

For those that may read this thread and are curious on reflective captioning

http://allears.net/pl/reflect.htm

Deb's site gives a good overview

When we first used the reflective captioning (in '05 I believe) it must've been relatively new - we had hit and miss getting in and set up before the masses came in - my favorite memory was in Studios Honey I shrunk the Audience - we waited with the wheelchair crowd, and knew the routine, looked back to see where the red lights were located and went towards the seats to capture those while a CM got the "mira"

masses came in - and a lady saw we circumvented the crowds - in her mind to get to the end seat before her - so she told us how she felt about it - -

then when the CM came with the mira, and the show started, and she was able to see why we were seated where we were - she was embarrassed - and at the end of the show apologized -

but more than that, she learned something. and we didnt over react.

Same for AK - because of where that theatre is situated and where the caption is - and the "effects" if you arent in the first rows, you do get smoked out - (again in '05)

Now the last time we went was in 2010 - and since we know what we need, we are prepared, but we've noted so do the CM's, there havent been any fumbles for us - but we do appreciate all that goes into making this a magical experience for us!

I want to add, that there is reflective captioning for Fantasmic, but we dont use it there - it may be more of where we sit, than anything else......

 

[Talking Hands]

"For those that may read this thread and are curious on reflective captioning
I want to add, that there is reflective captioning for Fantasmic, but we dont use it there - it may be more of where we sit, than anything else......"

The reflective captioning at Fantasmic is in the back in the center near the food stand. Note that if you are hearing impaired and in a wheelchair there is only 1 spot for you. There used to be more but they added a bench and took away the wheelchair spots.
Last time I went I was forced to transfer to their wheelchair and mashed up against the back of the bench because in power wheelchair didn't fit in their boxed area and they had already seated a wheelchair in the spot needed for a wheelchair and reflective captioning.

Haven't bothered to go since as the CMs were really nasty and refused to talk directly to me and only to my companion.