Help for Hearing Imaired

[sjm6]

I am hearing impaired and have cochlear implant. Am going on the Magic 7 day Eastern cruise this weekend.. Would like any information on accomodations for hearing impaired, adaptive devices at various shows, suggestions. do any of the shows have teleprompters ( like the one ag Fantasmik at WDW in MGM Studios? ) thanks

 

[Talking Hands]

I wish I could help you. Since I sign, I have requested interpreters for my cruise and they have been set up. I am hard of hearing and use an aid I understand they do have ALDs. Perhaps the will have reflective captioning.

Please post your experience when you get back. I know that it will help many of us. I'm curious about the movies. I never get to see those because we don't have open captioned movies near me.

 

[AnnMorin]

On our first cruise they had interperters from the American Sign Launguage institue that were "translating" all they shows in the theature. They were great about it . Let Disney know and I would think they would do their best to accomodate you.

 

[Talking Hands]

Ann I believe it is too late for that to be requested. I know that at least 3 or 4 of the regular interpreters are going to be out of town next week at the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf meeting in Chicago. Usually interpreters have to be requested at least 2 weeks in advance.
I know I could not get interpreters for Wed Aug 30 for Comedy Warehouse because of RID, but was able to get them for the following Sunday.
Btw the group is not Amercan Sign Language Institute. And they were interpreting not translating. Translated refers to written and interpreting or transliterating to spoken.

 

[AnnMorin]

It was not my intention. I thought it was the American Accademy of sign language or something like that. To be honest I did not listen too much to the name but was so impressed they kept a spot light on the individual signing throughout all the performances. As a preschool teacher we do a great deal of signing in class and I have a great appreciation for it and would never dream of offending anyone who was hearing empared. Please accept my truest appolgies if what I said somehow sounded wrong.

 

[Talking Hands]

Not insulted at all. Just doing a bit of educating
I am a fledgling interpreter as well as hard of hearing. The group the group that does the interpreting shipboard is one I greatly respect. If I can be half as good as Angela and her group I will have succeeded in my dream. Btw I would love to become as good as they are.

 

[sjm6]

thaks for the help re: hearing impaired.. I do not sign. I had a cochlear implant in Feb. and am adjusting to the new programs. Hopefully I will be able to enjoy even though the "fine tuning" is not the greatest..

 

[debm]

I am so excited to see this post. I was just thinking about posting this question but wondered if anyone that could answer it would happen to read it. Guess it was meant to be that I logged on the computer tonight.

Talking Hands, how do you request an interpreter onboard a cruise? We have a 7 year old with Down syndrome who does not talk. Right now signing is his only means of communication. Even though his hearing is supposedly at a normal level he has other issues that are making speech difficult for him. We are trying hard as a family to learn to sign for him to help give him a way to communicate. Disney is his favorite place in the world and we have taken him on 2 cruises. We would love to be able to have an interpreter on board our next cruise in May. In some ways it is more to help us as we watch and learn to interpret the Disney music and drama so to give him more words. So it is not that he needs an interpreter with him to be able to function in the playroom but it would be nice to have someone around to tell the CMs what he is saying.

Last trip to Disney we were speaking to an interpreter after one of the parades and he said he was getting ready to go on a cruise that following week. That peaked our interest. And then we saw two of them interpret the Beauty and the Beast show in MGM and it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw!!!! We are hoping to catch it again when we go in September. Anyhow, any hints or suggestions?? Thanks a bunch. Debi

 

[Talking Hands]

When you book the cruise tell your travel agent that your son communicates via sign language and that you would like to request that interpreters be on board for your cruise.
Oh which interpreters did you see doing Beauty and the Beast. I know 3 of the males interpreters that do the cruise. Brian, Vince and Marvin. Brian is very dark haired, Vince is a blonde and Marvin is hispanic and usually has his head shaven.
Describe the girl and I'll probably know who she is as well.
I'm going to WDW next week so will be seeing them then. Can't wait to see Beauty and the Beast again.

 

[debm]

Maybe it was Vince and the girl was dark haired, about shoulder length, average build. Have fun next week at WDW. We are looking forward to our next trip in Sept. I wish the interpreters were around the parks more because it seems that certain parks they are only there once a week and that is not often enough for us. We are usually in the parks during the weekdays and if I remember correctly one of the parks they only did on Saturday.

I'll call today and let you know.

 

[sjm6]

I ama glad i started some dialogue for those with concerns.. However I still did not receive any information regarding preferential seating or those telprompter things like they have at Fantasmic. I do not sign as I suddenly lost my hearing in Nov and received an implant in Feb and was hooked up in May.. so my needs are different from those that sign or are totally deaf. Still looking for help. My travel agent did inform the cruise folks fo my needs..

 

[sjm6]

We are retired ( but young) . Suggestions for what to do on St Maarten's? We are not interested in any snorkling, catamarans, or any activities with kids.etc. What is the best way to get to the French side.. and what is there to do. As for St Thomas and St John, we have been there so we thoughwe would just walk around Charlottte ammalile.. Suggestions?/ Actually we don't mind even staying on the boat.. Is this a good time to use the spa, etc. Leaving in two days.

 

[Talking Hands]

Sounds like Tara. Looks like she might be pregnant? If so that is Tara and yes she is expecting. She is the only one with dark shoulder length hair that I know.

 

[Talking Hands]

I'm afraid one of us really have that information. My cruise next month is my first so I am still in the dark about all the accommadations.
I do know I will have a TTY and a vibrating alarm clock.
Have fun and let us know how it goes.