I just wanted to tell everyone who gave me info about traveling on Southwest with my friend who's Deaf Blind...THANKS!We went to the American Association of the Deaf Blind last week and SWA was great!
We were able to preboard on our flights, which ensured that I would be seated next to her so that was very helpful. As we were preparing to board the flight to the AADB conference we met another Deaf Blind man and his SSP (Support Service Provider) who was Deaf. Since, my friend only requires close vision sign language and the Deaf Blind man (who used tactile sign) wanted to chat with each other on the flight, so he sat next to my friend with his SSP on the other and I sat directly behind. The SWA flight attendants were comfortable dealing with us thorughout the flight and we had no problems. So, thanks for the reassurance and information everyone shared with me! I have to add though, what an amazing week it was in Baltimore at the AADB conference!
There were over 800 participants, with about half being Deaf Blind and the other being the SSPs like myself. It took me a full day to get acustomed to the many different communication styles I witnessed...I knew it was going to be like that, but until you see a courtyard full of folks using tactile signing (like Helen Keller), close vision (within 3 ft.) and limited field of vision (those with Ushers Syndrome and Tunnel vision), folks who had residual hearing, but totally blind...the list could go on, but WOW! It was amazing! 
It was tiring work...my days typically started at 7:30am and didn't end till 11pm, with an hour break before dinner and short ones between workshops, but it was some of the most rewarding work I've done as a sign language interpreter. I met so many remarkable people and hope to make my second trip to the next AADB conference in 2008! I just wanted to share this...it was an experience that really touched me!
