Just found out I have hearing loss need help

[faeflora]

Ok I just got back from the doctor to find out that I have moderate hearing loss in both ears in the lower register of sound and that hearing aides are probably not going to be an option. This hearing loss is caused by my disability Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. So since I have used a wheelchair serveral times in WDW and totaly grock that accessibility I know need lost of information for people with hearing loss. We are visitng WDW the second week of December.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Julia

 

[Talking Hands]

OK Contact Mark Jones and ask for the inforamation on reflective captioning, handheld captioning and scripts. Try to sit near the front so you can lip read if it is possible. Unless you already sign the interpreters won't be a lot of help but you still might enjoy watching them. Get the schedule from Mark also.
I find much of most attractions are very visually interresting and missing out on the narration isn't really that bad.
Will be at ASMus from the 5th to the 9th myself. Will be using the terps and my wheelchair.
Best advice I can give you is to accept and get involved with the Deaf. They are wonderful people. And please learn to sign. It is well worth the effort.

 

[faeflora]

Talking Hands,
Thank you for the information. We are actually checking into the WL on Dec 9th and leaving on the 12th. I will contact Mark Jones and I thank you for the contact information. Question about the hand held captioning devices where can I pick them up at? and I am assuming I would need to pick up a different one for each park is this correct?
We are also going to be attending the Candlelight Processional at Epcot and was wondering which assistive device for this event would be best? I do lip read. Apparently I was adapting to my hearing loss before the diagnosis came.
Thanks again. This is all just so new. I have found SHHH and will be emailing our local chapter.
Thanks
julia

 

[Talking Hands]

There is interpretation for Candlelight Processional. You may be able to get a script through Mark. I do not know if Assistive Listening Devices are available. No captioning as far as I know of any sort.
Captioning devices are available at Guest Services for a deposit of $100 for the handheld (only MK and EPCOT) and $25 for the clicker. Mark will email all this information in a Word doc about a week prior to your visit. He is really wonderful.
Sorry we will miss each other. I'll be in MK on the 9th before we leave so if you get to the parks in time find where the interpreters are and I will probably be with them.

 

[faeflora]

Wow what great information I truly appreciate your answers to all of my questions. Mark sounds wonderful and I look forward to hearing from him. I hope your vacation is wonderful. This is our first trip down during the Christmas Holidays we are so excited.
I do think learning sign language should be a priority any idea what is the best way to go about it? We have a local community college that teaches a beginner and intermediate level classes is this the best way to go?

Thanks
Julia

 

[Talking Hands]

Go to the local community college for classes. Check if any of the local churches have a deaf ministry and give sign lessons. (Come to Disney a week early and hang with me and I'll help you )
Check with the Deaf Services people in your community. Find out where the deaf socialize and make friends with them.
Also check and see if you can get a phone for yourself (either amplified or TTY) through deaf services. In Florida they are free loaners that you return if you move out of state. All I had to do was have my audiologist fill out the form that I have a hearing loss and I got mine.

 

[faeflora]

You are so great. Thanks for all the information. I know before I leave I may have more questions so you will probably hear from me again. I also got an email today from Mark Jones that was a quick reply so I am reading all the stuff now and will email him back about the Candlelight Processional.
Again thanks for all of your wonderful insight.
I appreciate it.
Julia

 

[Talking Hands]

Julia,
Glad to be of help. I have been there. Have turned my problem into a future career I'm hard of hearing myself and use hearing aids. I already knew ASL but had to get back to it. Now I am close to finishing an interpreter training program and looking forward to interpreting fulltime instead of subbing in SPED. Right now I do both but have not yet taken my QA. Goal is to be RID certified.
Funny thing was yesterday I went to sub and due to an emergency ended up interpreting as well. Actually when you work with deaf children in any form you do some interpreting because the interpreter isn't allows there. WE have one interpreter and she has to do all the interpreting for 14 kids. I think we need a second one.

 

[signtalker]

Julia, just wanted to say hi, im an interpreteur in England, i think lisa has covered everything you need to know, but dont be afraid to ask. My husband has just lost his hearing(my son is deaf), so i can appreciate what you are going through, being a hearing person. Get as involved with the deaf community as you can(deaf) doesnt just mean profound hearing loss. Any questions just ask!

Jules

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by signtalker
Get as involved with the deaf community as you can(deaf) doesnt just mean profound hearing loss.
Jules

Jules,
So glad you pointed this out. It is something that many don't understand including some interpreters. It can be very fustrating. One of our interpreters at church is that way. Refuses to interpret unless fully deaf members are there. If it is just myself and Christine he refuses to interpret.

 

[cofey]

Julia,

I just wanted to say I think you will have a very fun trip despite your HL. As someone else pointed out, the attractions are so visual, that it is not really a big deal if you don't pick up every word.

I have severe HL and had a great time when we visited back in Feb. I didn't know about the captioning devices on our last visit, but am hoping to try those next time.

We are also hoping to visit again 2nd week in Dec.

Just a suggestion: You may want to give hearing aids a try, even though your doc said they don't work. They told me the same thing and that the only thing that would help me was a cochlear implant. I insisted on trying a hearing aid and, lo and behold, it improved my speech recognition quite a lot, particularly when lipreading. I am really glad to have avoided surgery -- at least for a little while longer.

Good luck & hope you have a great trip!

 

[Talking Hands]

Cofey,
I would encourage you to contact Mark Jones as well for the information on the captioning and the handhelds. He is a wonderful resouce and very Deaf friendly. Disney could not have choosen a better person to coordinate things related to deaf access at the parks.

 

[Talking Hands]

This is the information I received from Disney about services for guests with hearing disabilities. Hope it is of help to others who like me have a hearing disabiility.


The following information highlights services available at the
WALT DISNEY WORLDâ Resort that may prove useful during your visit.

SERVICES FOR GUESTS WITH HEARING DISABILITIES
SIGN LANGUAGE: If requested, the Walt Disney Worldâ Resort provides Sign Language interpretation for our Guests at live Theme Park shows with a minimum of seven days notice. However, interpreted performances are currently available on a rotating basis as follows:

Disney-MGM Studios- Sundays, Wednesdays MAGIC KINGDOMâ Park- Mondays, Thursdays
Epcotâ- Tuesdays, Fridays Disney’s Animal Kingdomâ Theme Park- Saturdays

This service can be requested by calling Walt Disney Worldâ Resort Information at (407) 824-4321 [voice] or
(407) 827-5141 [TTY]. You will be contacted prior to your visit with an appropriate show schedule. Arrangements can also be requested for other events and shows with a minimum of two weeks notice. There is no cost for this service.

If necessary, please check with Guest Relations to obtain further information and the best location to view or wait for interpreted performances. Guest Relations can also provide updated performance schedules as well as equipment such as Assistive Listening Devices and remote control Activators for video captioning.

CAPTIONING (NOTE: Not all parts of an attraction experience may be captioned)


Reflective Captioning
This technology utilizes an LED display to project captions onto an acrylic panel placed in front of you. To use this system, please contact a host or hostess at the attraction for assistance. Reflective Captioning is available at the following locations:


MAGIC KINGDOMâ Park:
Frontierland-Country Bear Jamboree
Liberty Square-The Hall of Presidents

Disney-MGM Studios:
Voyage of The Little Mermaid
Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D
The Magic of Disney Animation-Theaters 1 & 2
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream (theater only)
Fantasmic!



Epcotâ:
The Living Seas-Theaters
The Land (2)-The Circle of Life & Food Rocks
Imagination!-Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Wonders of Life (2)-Cranium Command & “The Making of Me”
The American Adventure-The American Adventure
Canada-“O Canada!”
China-“Wonders of China”
France-“Impressions de France”
Norway-Maelstrom Theater

Disney’s Animal Kingdomâ Theme Park:
Discovery Islandä-It’s Tough to be a Bugâ
Video Captioning
Caption-ready monitors have a “CC” symbol and can only be activated by remote control. These remote control Activators are available through Guest Relations and require a $25 refundable deposit (must return item on the same day for refund). Video Captioning is available at the following locations:


MAGIC KINGDOMâ Park:
Mickey’s Toontown Fair-Judge’s Tent
Tomorrowland- Space Mountain (pre-show only)
The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (pre-show only)

Disney-MGM Studios:
The American Film Institute Showcase
“The Twilight Zone Tower of Terrorä” (pre-show only)
Studios Backlot Tour (queue ramp and Prop Warehouse only)
Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D (pre-show only)
Star Tours (boarding area only)
Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage (queue only)

Epcotâ:
The Living Seas-Sea Base Alpha (several locations)
The Land-The Circle of Life (pre-show only)
Wonders of Life-Frontiers Exhibit Area (several locations)
Coaches’ Corner
Test Track (pre-show only)

Disney’s Animal Kingdomâ Theme Park:
DinoLand U.S.A.â-DINOSAUR (pre-show only)
Rafiki’s Planet Watch-Conservation Stationâ: Look In Labs
Animal Cam
Africa-Kilimanjaro Safarisâ (pre-show only)
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (several locations)



WALT DISNEY WORLDâ RESORT-SERVICES FOR GUESTS WITH HEARING DISABILITIES, p2.

Handheld Captioning
This portable captioning system uses a wireless handheld receiver to display text in locations where fixed captioning systems are impractical, such as moving attractions. Receivers are available through Guest Relations and may require a $100 refundable deposit (must return item on the same day for refund). Handheld Captioning is currently being tested at the following locations:


MAGIC KINGDOMâ Park:
Walt Disney Worldâ Railroad
Adventureland- Pirates of the Caribbean
“The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management”
Liberty Square- The Hall of Presidents
The Haunted Mansion
Fantasyland- Peter Pan’s Flight
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
“it’s a small world”
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland- The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (open seasonally)


Epcotâ:
Spaceship Earth
Universe of Energy- Ellen’s Energy Adventure
Test Track (Briefing Room only)
Imagination!- Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
The Land- Living with the Land
Mexico- El Rio del Tiempo
Norway- Maelstrom (ride portion only)
The American Adventure- The American Adventure
Canada- “O’ Canada!”

Disney-MGM Studios:
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream*

*NOTE: Receivers for “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” are available at the attraction entrance, NOT at Guest Relations
ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES: Assistive Listening Systems utilize a lightweight wireless device that receives an infra-red signal (an invisible beam of light) from overhead transmitters at certain locations in order to amplify sound. Receivers are available at the Guest Relations lobby. A $25 refundable deposit is required (must return item on the same day for refund). Assistive Listening Systems are available at the following locations:


MAGIC KINGDOMâ Park:
Adventureland-The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management
Frontierland-“The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue”
Country Bear Jamboree
Fantasyland-“Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration”
Mickey’s Toontown Fair-Judge’s Tent
Tomorrowland-Sunny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
Galaxy Palace Theater

Disney-MGM Studios:
Theater of the Stars: “Beauty & the Beast”-Live On Stage
The Magic of Disney Animation
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Backlot Theater: “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D
Indiana Jonesä Epic Stunt Spectacular!
ABC Sound Studio: Sounds Dangerous-Starring Drew Carey
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Fantasmic!
The Great Movie Ride (pre-show only)
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream (theater only)
Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage


Epcotâ:
Universe of Energy-“Ellen’s Energy Adventure”
Wonders of Life-Cranium Command
“The Making of Me”
“Goofy About Health”
The Living Seas-Theaters
The Land-The Circle of Life
Food Rocks
Imagination!-Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
The American Adventure-The American Adventure
America Gardens Theatre
Germany-Biergarten
China-“Wonders of China”
Norway-Maelstrom Theater
Innoventions (East & West)-Certain Attractions
France-“Impressions de France”
Canada-“O Canada!”

Disney’s Animal Kingdomâ Theme Park:
Discovery Islandä-It’s Tough to be a Bug!â
Camp Minnie-Mickey-Lion King Theater: Festival of the Lion King
Grandmother Willow’s Grove: Pocahontas & Her Forest Friends
DinoLand U.S.A.â-DINOSAUR (pre-show only)
Asia-Caravan Stage: Flights of Wonder
Rafiki’s Planet Watch-Conservation Stationâ (certain attractions)
Africa-Kilimanjaro Safarisâ
Wildlife Express


WRITTEN AIDS: Guest Assistance Packets containing dialogue, flashlights, and pen/paper are available at or near the performance areas or entrances for most shows and attractions. Please contact a host or hostess at the location for assistance.

TELEPHONES: Pay telephones equipped with amplified handsets as well as Text Typewriters (TTYs) are widely available throughout the Walt Disney Worldâ Resort.

INFORMATION: To obtain further information about available services for Guests with disabilities, visit the Walt Disney Worldâ Resort website at www.disneyworld.com or contact Walt Disney Worldâ Resort Information at (407) 824-4321 [voice] or (407) 827-5141 [TTY].
REVISED 2/26/02

 

[faeflora]

signtalker...I so agree with the getting involved with the deaf community. I actually have a friend who is Hard of Hearing and she works at our Hard of Hearing Services and we have a meeting the Thursday before I leave for WDW. I know she will have lots to tell me. What is wonderful is that my husband has chosen to also learn signlanguage with me so that we can go through this together. I hope I get a chance to see you when we are at WDW..Epcot is our second favorite part and a visit to England is always a must.

cofey...I actually am going to schedule an appointment with my audiologist to see what we can experiment with. She has already said they would have to be digital but was unsure if the lower tones that I am missing would be aided with hearing aides. I figure it's worth a try. Surgery is definitely not an option due to my primary disability Ehlers Danlos Syndrome we don't heal all that well so we avoid surger like the plague.
Thanks also for the encouragement.

talking hands... I have been an advocate for access in the arts for the past six years. This means interpreting the performance for audience members who request this service. I had a fellow artist say to me "well if no one is Deaf in the audience then we can let the interpreter go for the night." I was stunned and replied "No the interpreter stays and does her/his job because someone in the audience may not be Deaf but may still the the services."
So to have an interpreter not one to interpret unless there are just fully Deaf people in the audience really blows me away.
Some people just don't get it.

Sincerely though thank you all for your support.
Julia

 

[cofey]

Julia:
I am glad that you are checking out the digital aids. I have a friend who has loss in lower frequencies (that means vowel sounds -- right?) and digital aids have helped him. Because they are digital, he was able to work with audiologist quite a lot to really fine-tune them. Surely hope they are as helpful to you.

Talking hands:
Thanks so much for posting that great info! May I please ask a couple of quick ?'s:

Is the reflective captioning thing similar to the reflective caption "window" that some movie theatres have? If so, do you have to carry it with you from one attraction to another?

That hand-held wireless captioning device sounds awesome!

Thanks again!!

 

[Talking Hands]

Since I haven't seen the reflective captioning in the movies I can't compare. I can tell you what Disney's are like. They are a plexiglas screen on a bendable stand. It is too heavy to carry from show to show so you just request it at each venue. Find a castmember and let them know you need reflective captioning.

Yes the handheld are awesome. So are the interpreters! Everyone of them are as sweet as can be. I wish the ones here in Miami were that nice.

 

[cofey]

Talking hands,

I was going to send you the link to mopix.org for info about theaters w/ window captioning but, when I went to the site, I realized there aren't any theatres in FL that offer it! GRRR!!!

Do you guys get open captioned movies there? We get those every once in a blue moon here in Atlanta and they are so great.

Thank you again for all the great info.

 

[faeflora]

cofey or talking hands,
How do you go about finding movies theaters that caption?
See I knew there would be more questions.
thanks
julia

 

[faeflora]

I got a call from my audiologist this Thursday and she said she did some research on my disability in regards to my hearing loss and she thinks she may have some options for me with digital hearing aides.
I have an appointment on the Thursday before I leave for WDW.
I am kind of nervous...any tips on what I should know about before going to my appointment.

As for the last post I re read the one above it as to where to find out information on movie theaters and I thank you for the infomation.

Only 16 days till WDW....and a new adventure...

Julia

 

[Talking Hands]

We get them occasionally in Broward and West Palm Beach which is a real drive for me since I live in So Dade County. I know that the AMC at DD occasionally has captioned movies as well as one theatre in Oviedo. Check out this site Orlando Deaf Doings This interpreting service has information on all of the theme parks as well. They are great