question about reflective capt. seating

[disneywith6kids]

Were making our final plans for our exciting trip with my DDad who is deaf.The question i have is that I would like him to be able to utilize the reflective captioning. However where are the seats located in the attraction??I want to make sure he doesn't have to sit apart from us. I also want to know if our view will be blocked. Also, do we need to tell the CM we need this or do we just look for the seats and take them??Sorry this is our first time with DD

 

[Talking Hands]

When you enter the attraction find a castmember and inform them that your father will need reflective captioning. You and your family usually will be able to sit with him but if there are many deaf you may be asked to sit behind him in the next row. It will not block you view of the show. It is clear plexiglas. I love reflective captioning! Now if they would just put it in movie theatres.

In 2 of the parks you can also get a Personal Captioning device from Guest Services. It requires a $100 deposit which is returned when you return the device at the end of the day. They are available at the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. You can also get clickers for captioned tvs at Guest Services with a $25 deposit.

If your father signs certain shows are interpreted on a set schedule. Contact MARK JONES at least 2 weeks prior to your visit for a schedule. You can also request interpreting for shows such as Hoop Dee Doo and the Luau if you have those scheduled as well as backstage tours you may have planned. You can request an oral interpreter if your Dad is dependent on speech reading for the tours.

Mark Jones is one of the most helpful people I know when it comes to providing access for deaf people. He knows what he is doing and he knows the fustrations of deaf people although he is hearing. The interpreteres are awesome as well.

I hope your father has a great time. I know I do everytime I go.
If you have any more questions just ask. Been doing this for several years now.

 

[Talking Hands]

I will be there at the same time staying at All Star Music. Are you planning on going to Candlelight Processional. I am going on Friday Dec 6. Marlee Matlin is narrator.
Also I am going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on Dec 8 and have requested interpretation for that. If you Dad signs and you are going just ask Mark for the schedule for that. Not sure exactly what is being set up for that.

 

[disneywith6kids]

Unfortunately my Dad doesn't sign well yet. However my 3 oldest children(17,15,12) and I are getting sign language lessons right now. We hope to learn it and then teach him. He needs one on one lessons.We are going to MVMCP Dec 10 and 17.We are going to CP Dec. 6 at 8:15. Do you know if we still have to line up 2 hrs early if we want the sign language section or do they have reflective capt?

 

[Talking Hands]

I will also be at CP at 8:15 on Dec 6. There is no reflective captioning for it. Email Mark and ask him about a script. Marlee Matlin will sign with I believe Jack Jason voicing. I don't know who will interpret the music but I hope it will be Angela as she is awesome. The interpreting tends to be very visual and clear. The interpreters know that there are varying levels of signing abilities needing the interpretation.

If you are planning to be at EPCOT for the day join me at some of the interpreted venues and I will introduce you to whomever is interpreting. I know most of them now. Get the schedule from Mark or at Guest Services. Saturday you must see Festival of the Lion King interpreted. It is truly wonderful.
If they know you are be a beginning signer they will mouth a lot so you can use your speech reading as well.

Yes you will need to get in the line way early if you do not have PS for the dinner package. That's what I am doing. Eating in Germany at 5:30. Then I will hit the TOD parade before CP.
Btw I am oral, hard of hearing and an interpreter. Working on QA and certification.

 

[disneywith6kids]

I'd love to meet up with you.we will be at epcot for some of the day and then off to the HIFS for our free buffet dinner(Hence the reason we will not be doing the CP pack. )Anyway, then we will be returning to Epcot. I will get on line around 6:15-6:30 while the rest of them continue to tour WS. We will try to get from Mexico -Italy done in the afternoon. At one point we will be getting on the boat ride in Norway. I hope it is not going to be a problem holding all those spots. I have 2 adhd kids that would loose it if they had to stand in line that long.I can't believe you are an interpreter even though you are hard of hearing. My Dad can hear some sounds but he can't make out words..He tries to read your lips. My 17 year old is getting very good with the SL. We've only had 5 lessons , but we are really trying to get this. We have a lot of deaf people in our Church and I would love to interpret for them someday.I think by going to the interpreted shows it will help us. We sit in the deaf section at Church and that really helps.

 

[Talking Hands]

I am a church interpreter. Although I do not do the sermons I do announcements and music. I also do the women's meetings and teach the deaf children Sunday School. Sit in the deaf section myself. In fact I just got back from a Deaf COnference put on by the Fla Bapt Conf for the Deaf and their associated interpreter training program over the weekend. Went to Central Florida and never hit Disney. Same thing two weeks ago when I went to Tampa for the Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf for the weekend.

How old is your Dad? I'm 54. My Dad was deaf at the end and my uncle is deaf also. Neither of them sign.

Get a GAC for your sons. It will help as far as the lines are concerned. Let Guest Services know what accommodations they need such as waiting away from the crowds. Done the ADHD bit. My oldest is and they do succeed! She is a castmember at Tokyo Sea.

If I can remember I will forward to schedule Mark sends me to you so you can get an idea of what is available. Also look at this website Access for the Deaf and
Deaf Access 2

 

[disneywith6kids]

My Dad is 64. He lost his hearing gradually. He made it as far as college and taught in HS for 4 yrs but then they basically forced him out. (this would never happen today of course) He started delivering mail and has been doing so for 35 yrs. He can't retire because of his handicap. He's afraid he will get bored(mom passed away 11 yrs ago) I'm hoping to teach him enough SL to get him a part time job so he can retire.

What is a GAC card and do I need to get one every day and do I need a DR note. If so I'll have to make an appt.

BTW we are Bsptist and looking for a good Church in the area. We will be there from Dec. 3-27. Know of any you can recommend?

 

[Talking Hands]

You can get the GAC for the duration of your stay. Just ask Guest Services at the first park you visit.

I know Parkway Baptist Church in Orlando has a deaf ministry. One of the interpreters is Dave Jarvis. Great guy.
I'm at Perrine Baptist Church in Miami if you ever get that far south.

 

[SueM in MN]

Looks like you and Lisa got well aquainted. She knows a lot about services for the deaf.

I can help with the GAC. That stands for Guest Assistance Card and you request one from Guest Services at any of the parks. It is not meant to provide immediate access or shorten the wait, just to provide an appropriate place to wait (like out of the sun or in a quieter place) or access without things like stairs. When you get to rides/attractions, you show the card to the CM and it identifies what sorts of assistance you might need. For your child with ADHD that might be waiting in quieter areas or away from crowds. The GAC is usually valid for however long your trip is and is valid at all the parks. You don't need a doctor's letter, but some people with invisible disabilities feel better having one form the doctor or from scholl. If you bring a letter, it should give information in a way that non-medical people can understand it and say simply what would be a problem (like he can't tolerate being close to others and will act out, Would benefit from being able to wait in an area away from crowds).
Using fastpass and looking for shorter lines will also help. We've been at WDW over Easter and by using fp and avoiding things with long lines, we have found we sometimes only used DD's GAC once or twice a day.