Disney World with cochlear implants

[e050377]

Hi Everyone-

We are taking our two kids 3 & 4 to WDW in April. it will be their first trip. My youngest has bilateral cochlear implants and am wondering if anyone has any tips or ideas on how to make his trip more enjoyable. Thanks, beth

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Hi!

Let me start out by saying that my oldest is 5yrs. old and wears bilateral hearing aids. WDW does offer assistive litening devices and sign language at some shows if you plan ahead. I'm not sure if your child signs or not. However, in our case, our son does not. He has children in his class with hearing aids as well as cochlear implants. His teacher focuses on cued speech and lip reading. Therefore, sign language is not helpful to him, and the assistive listening devices aren't helpful with the type of hearing aids he uses.

SO, these are some things that WDW did for him (and we are so grateful) on our last trip.

We brought a letter from his school explaining his type of hearing loss and special needs. We took it to guest services and they gave us a card so that he could have preferential seating at shows (and even on rides where it was important for him to be seating closest to a sound source). Speech becomes unclear to him farther than 6 ft. from a sound source.

I dont know how new your childs cochlear implant is (or how used to it he/she is) but hopefully you and your family will find the above tip somewhat useful.

Have a truly WONDERFUL trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILTIES!

What WoodysRoundup was referring to is a Guest Assistance Card. You do not need to have any sort of letter; just go to the Guest Relations Office inside any park with the child and explain the needs; in this case that due to severe hearing problems needs to be seated up front at shows.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including a lot of information about GACs.

 

[e050377]

Thanks to both of you for replying. I have looked under FAQ's, but wasn't sure what type of assistance he might need. The show thing would be great, because I would hate to think of him sitting there not getting anything out of it. He is dependent on listening and talking, no cued speech or sign. He is fully mainstreamed in preschool, so I know he will adapt well. He's been through so much with getting the implants and all the therapy that he gets, I just want to make sure I do everything I can to make his first trip magical!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Hi again!

I should have made clear that a letter was not necessary. Sorry about that. I just found it helpful to show one just so the Guest Services people fully understood his specific needs. People who have had little exposure to children with hearing loss sometimes do not understand the varying degrees of hearing loss as well as differences in what these kids (and ADULTS) are capable of hearing or understanding. For example, while they hear with the help of aids, implants etc., they all hear differently (as you well know). The letter just helped me communicate his specific needs in a clear and concise manner so the folks would best be able to help us with his needs.

On another note, it's wonderful that your child is mainstreamed! We will be mainstreaming our son next year for first great and are so excited about it!

Good luck!!!!

 

[e050377]

Thank you so much for the advice. i will ask my audiologist and ENT for a letter explaining hwta would be helpful for him. I may even contact AB for their help.

Also, very glad to hear you guys are going to mainstream. It was hard decision fro us, but one we haven't regretted.