Help with hearing impaired - Captioning options?

[marciemi]

Hi - I'm new to this board and not even certain I'm in the right place since it seems to be mostly autism and mobility concerns, but I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm hearing impaired (deaf in one ear and pretty close to it in the other). I can hear sounds fine, but can't understand much of anything. So, for example, on It's a Small World, I certainly don't need any amplification of the singing - I definitely get the gist!

But in theater type shows (even at home at a movie theater), I'm totally lost. Same at church or anywhere with a public speaker type system. I can usually do okay one-on-one (reading lips and context). I'm trying to get hearing aids through VA (veteran's affairs) but am not certain I'll qualify (was in the Army for 8 years) or how long the process will take (I applied in May and just got my physical 2 days ago), so don't know if I'll actually have them before our trip. Also, I've been told by my private doctor that hearing aids will at best get me to a 50 percent level of comprehension, so it won't be a miracle cure.

Anyways, a nice DIS'er just sent me copies of all the maps and I'm looking at all the different symbols. I've used Reflective Captioning before, both at Disney (American Adventure, Muppetvision come to mind) and other places (DC, Chicago in IMAX theaters) and really like it. However, I see two other types of Captioning - handheld captioning and closed captioning. It says you need to go to guest services to get both of those.

What's the difference? The only time I ever remember seeing closed captioning was when I did Mission Space and there was one monitor in our "car" that had it. I didn't know to ask for that position but was able to look over at that screen to read along. Is there one in every car? What would you need from guest services for closed captioning at any ride?

What is the handheld captioning? I see it's available for a LOT of rides that I really have never understood what they were saying (The Land, Haunted Mansion, etc.) and it would be great if I could actually follow along with those rides. How does it work? Do you leave a deposit? Do you have to get one each morning? Can you get it before you're in the park? We're usually rope drop sprint to the big attraction type people and I hate to waste the time then. Could you get one for the entire trip with a CC? Does it truly help?

Also, I keep reading about the GAC card. Is this primarily for the lines (obviously waiting in a line isn't an issue for me) or should I get one so the CM's know I have a reason for wanting say the reflective captioning (I'm only 40 so don't look like I should need it). In the past I've just asked the first CM I saw at any attraction and never had a problem getting it. Is this just the easier way to go? The CM's manner towards you is actually kind of funny. When I'd approach them (especially when I was in my late 20's) and ask for the captioning, they'd always be like "oh, yeah, get your party and come on this way, who's it for?" while moving away from me and talking under their breath. As soon as I told them it was actually for me, they'd stop, look directly at me, and speak clearly, like "FOLLOW ME!" Obviously some good training there!

Incidentally, I have tried the audio assistive/listening devices which really don't work for me at all. They just seem to amplify what I can hear, but still can't understand!

Thanks for any help or links you can give me!

 

[Talking Hands]

Handheld captioning is a device about the size of a Palm Pilot which has a screen to scroll text in sinc with the ride or show. It is not used at all venues but with a combination of the handheld, reflective and closed captioning as well as interpreting all the venues can be fully enjoyed. There is also a button on the handheld device to turn on the closed captioning. It can be obtained from guest services with a $100 deposit that is fully refundable. They can also give you an info sheet on which devices as well as a schedule for the interpreting.

 

[I Love Pluto]

My daughter (31) used the handheld captioning device this past summer. She was really pleased with it. She was able to understand the words to songs, etc. which were previously garbled sounds to her. You will love it.