Parade viewing area for all disAbilities?

[Terry in NJ]

My daughter (5 1/2) is hearing impaired and wears two hearing aides.
Everything has been a huge learning experience since she was diagnosed two years ago. All of a sudden, YESTERDAY, it dawned on me.... can't we sit in the handicapped section for parade viewing?
I've "heard" (from a consultant I had brought into her school) how she hears through her hearing aides, it made me want to cry, it was such poor quality.
I almost feel guilty asking for special accomodations, someone may need the section more. However, my child may not understand all the announcements, or the commentary, or hear the songs well, and I really feel she deserves a front row seat to at least see 100%.
Can anyone tell me if they have used the handicapped viewing section for other than a wheelchair? Did the CM's give you a hard time?
Thank you so much for all your advice. (I just booked a Mommy and Rachel trip for 8-22 to 8-26, I need a little quality time with my special angel!)

 

[DisneyAnna]

Terry:
How excellent that you thought of this NOW rather than after you came home!
Yes, we have used the handicap areas for parade viewing even tho our son is autistic. And yes, we had EXCELLENT cast members!!!! And, sadly, yes, we had other guests who were in wheelchairs or had other disabilities give us questioning looks, but after a few minutes, they realized that there was *something* disabling about my son, and they went back to their own business.
I really appreciate the handicap parade viewing area, because my son has a short attention span and becomes aggitated easily, and the areas enabled us to not have to *camp* out in a good spot to see the parade.
I hope you enjoy your trip.....I wonder if they have any assistive devices that might clarify the music for your daughter??? Just a thought.....HAVE FUN!!!!
~~~~Anna

 

[crazyforgoofy]

We had a family member with an ecv but also had a 7 year old diabetic child and took the whole group into the specially marked area along the route at MK for the parade. The little one was having a serious blood sugar low being treated by her mom. The CM managing the area didn't want to let us put her stroller up to the rope next to her grandpas ECV as he had to save room for others in wheelchairs, etc. She needed to lie down out of the sun while she waited for the parade, one of the most important things on her list to do at WDW. We had to pull the GAC we'd gotten earlier in the week and insist that she be allowed to stay where she was. Not sure what that means for your daughter. I have a feeling you'd be assisted by many cast members. Not so sure about the rules though. Suggest you contact Disney directly and ask them what assistance they can offer.

Good luck!

 

[Talking Hands]

The parades are interpreted at each of the parks on specific days. MK Mon and Thur
EPCOT Tues and Fri
MGM Sun and Wed
AK Sat

There is a special location in each park for this.
Also there is a schedule of interpreted shows. You can obtain it by contacting
Mark Jones two or more weeks prior to your trip. Also if you will be attending Hoop Dee Doo or the Luau interpreters can be obtained for that. All interpreting is ASL. I have been very happy with the interpreters I have had on my visits and am looking forward to my next trip in a few weeks.
If you have any questions about access for the deaf please ask.
I am hard of hearing and also an interpreter so I know both sides of this world.
Please join me at MK on Aug 22 for the Share a Dream Come True Parade. Viewing area is across from Hall of the Presidents. Parade is 3pm but be there early. It will be interpreted. I'd love to introduce your daughter to some of my favorite interpreters.

 

[SueM in MN]

Lisa has excellent info about services for the hearing impaired.
If you are not attending one of the interpreted parades though, you might be better off finding your own close spot. In our experience, the handicaped viewing areas fill up quite fast and get quite crowded. Also, check them out ahead of time (the approximate location is marked on the park maps). Especially for Illuminations, we have sometimes had the show start and then find that DD really couldn't see anything because of the placement of trees. We've had much better viewing outside of the handicapped viewing areas.
Also, look at where the speakers are located; they are usually on lightpoles and might be somewhat hidden by banners. You might find that you are closer to the speakers by being outside the handicapped viewing area.

You will want to check with Guest Services about getting a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) for your DD. (If you contact Mark Jones (listed in Lisa's post) he can give you information about the GAC, I'm sure. Basically, it is a card that tells CMs what sort of assistance you might need to be able to accomidate your DD's disabiility. In your case, it might be front and center seating for shows that are not interpreted (or sitting in an area where you can see the interpreter for the other shows).

 

[Terry in NJ]

Thank you all for your suggestions!
My daughter does not sign and it was strongly suggested to us that signing be her "second" language, after she first masters speech reading.
Lisa, what a kind offer for the 22nd! We are actually getting into Orlando at 6:15pm. However, I see from your notes that we will be in Epcot on the "interpreting" day, and MGM too. Do I need one of the GAC cards if the hearing aides are obvious? I mean, it's not like anyone would "fake" that. (I'm sure I would be allowed into the signing area without a card, just because of the aides.)
I didn't think about the "front and center" issue though. I will look at all our show choices and see what I think.
As far as the assisted listening devices, our audiologist suggested that too. I don't know a whole lot about them, but I think it involves taking out her aides, and plugging the earpiece directly into her ears? That may be BEST move yet! Does anyone have a site or explanation of how they work...
Wait, I'll go back to that DiaAbilites FAQ's site again!
Thank you again everyone...
And any more thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Talking Hands]

Well I will be at EPCOT on Friday. Maybe we will see each other there.

Did you know that speech reading is only 35% understandable on the lips. While I speech read quite well I still find it fustrating and prefer interpreters and ASL. Honestly I use all 3 to understand. My hearing that I have, speech reading and ASL.

As far as the ALDs I don't care for them much. I have to remove my hearing aids and find I cannot boost the sound high enough to make things clear.

You aren't going to Animal Kingdom on Saturday? The shows there are the best especially Festival of the Lion King. And the parade is awesome.

 

[Terry in NJ]

We're lucky to be able to visit Disney 2 or 3 times a year. (I feel bad saying this. The first response to my original question was "good for you thinking of this ahead of time" when, I actually JUST thought of using special accomodations... LEARNING, I AM LEARNING HOWEVER!!)

This trip we only have 3 full days and one morning. So the important things are a full day each in MK and Epcot, then fill in the rest. We're choosing to go to MK Sat so we get to see SM.

I e-mailed Mark with several questions.... thanks for the tip!

DD has a profound loss in one ear and about a 50% loss in the other... do you know if the assisted listening gadget will be helpful for her?
Thanks again!

 

[Talking Hands]

I don't know if they would be useful or not. You can only try. I have a 30% loss in each ear and find them fustrating but I have lousy speech discrimination. Do much better with music than with speech.
If you are going to be at EPCOT on Friday come over and watch the Parade over between Germany and Italy. The puppets love coming over towards the interpreter especially if it is Jennye or Brian. Unfortunately I am leaving after the parade for home. I have an interpreting workshop on Saturday in Miami all day that I have to attend. I feel priviledged as I get 2 awesome workshops in one month. Just went to one this Saturday that was done by my interpreting prof.
Yes you can become an interpreter even if you have a hearing loss, you just are limited in the settings you can work in. I'm in an interpreting program but have been interpreting some for a few years now.