Reflective/handheld captioning questions for 8yr old

[maiapapaya]

Our youngest DD has a severe hearing loss. We have never bothered using the WDW assistive hearing devices since we've never read great reviews. However she will be 8 1/2 on our next trip and has become a good enough reader that we are considering getting the reflective and handheld captioning devices for her. Does anyone have any experience with a child this age with these devices? She has already been to WDW and is familiar with the attractions, etc, but she is also very aware of her "deafness" and is taking more and more of a proactive/mature approach to addressing her needs. I think she is at an age that she might be interested in trying some of this technology just to see if she gets more out of some of her favourite attractions. Are these devices very helpful for a child of this age or are they more of a distraction/hinderance?

Also, if you are planning on using the reflective captioning do you need to get a GAC or will the CM's at the various attractions accommodate you either way?

 

[I Love Pluto]

If she is a good reader, she will benefit from the captioning. Realize that - in Pirates as an example -- the more you have to read from the device, the more you will miss visually around you.

We used one several years ago. If I remember correctly, we had to leave a $50 deposit, which was returned upon returning the captioning device. (Might have been $100. Leaning more toward $50. Not sure.)

The device is on a neck strap, is slightly on the heavy side, and is annoying in the heat. You will probably end up carrying it for her.

The biggest plus was when we went through so many attractions that my daughter hd been on many times, but never heard the words to before. She "put it all together" much better - and understood everything better with the device.

Good luck to your daughter. She will love using the reflective captioning. It makes Disney make more sense.

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks for your input! That's what I was thinking, that she's getting old enough now that she might like the "full story" with some of the attractions. I think she's familiar enough with them now that she hopefully wouldn't miss too much of the visual by needing to look away for the reading.

 

[Talking Hands]

The deposit is now about $25 and fully refunded when returned. Also if your daughter uses sign amguage get the schedule for interpreting from guest services at any park or contact Disney to get it emailed to you. Interpreting at Magic Kingdom - Monday and Thursday
at Epcot - Tuesday and Friday, at Studios Wednesday and Sunday, and at Animal Kingdom
- Saturday. Also if you are going Hoop Dee Doo or Luau you can set up interpreting with 2 weeks notice.

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks for the info. DD doesn't use sign language, although I often wish she could!

 

[KPeveler]

You can view the interpreters even if you don't know or are learning asl. My wife and I are just learning, and my wife can barely sign and has hearing loss, and found the interpreters helpful.

Does she read lips? If she does then sitting in the front of some shows may be helpful.

To other posters, does the captioning box actually work in WDW? My friend had it in DL with me and it worked for fantasmic and nothing else. It just did not turn on.

Are you thinking about teaching your DD sign? Is she interested in learning? My wife is 30 and is losing her hearing now, and she finds the addition of sign very helpful. She still can hear, though not well, and also reads lips.

 

[maiapapaya]

Yes, DD reads lips very well. In the past we have obtained a GAC for her to sit in the front during shows (although we had a terrible encounter with a CM at FOTLK - he seemed to think the up front seating was only for those in wheel chairs and refused to let DD sit up front - by the time I convinced him to actually let me explain the situation he said it was too late, that the seats were already filled In retrospect I should have talked to a manager, but when there is a show about to begin a discussion with the manager probably wouldn't have happened - perhaps after to ensure the CM was better educated on special needs besides wheelchair seating)

I would love for DD to learn sign. She has a book and is very interested in it. When she was younger the strategy with the school for the deaf she was tied in with (although not attending) was to not teach her sign, in order to teach her to listen and speak (and not rely on sign). Now that she's older and her speach is well established, and her hearing is getting worse I think signing would be of a benefit. Unfortunately we live in a small rural community without a place where she could learn. I need to track down some sort of online program.

 

[Pluto.AuD]

It's great that she's proactive and using assistive devices. This should absolutely be encouraged Disney is very accommodating for Deaf or hard of hearing guests, so take advantage of what they have to offer.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/hearing-impaired-services/

 

[maiapapaya]

DD is becoming very proactive. Apparently she frequently tells her classmates when they are being too loud and hurting her ears! LOL I can imagine how well that goes over with a group of second graders!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Good luck to your daughter. Give her a hug from me!

The reflective captioning gave my daughter the lines -- "Dead men tell no tales" & "999 Happy Haunts - always room for one more" that we all take for granted. She had NEVER heard them. Now she pieces it together when she hears it. Even Carousel of Progress suddenly made more sense!

You will LOVE the reflective captioning device. Best wishes that its use will help her understand as much as it did for my daughter.

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks

 

[GypsyPearl]

Hopefully I'm not too late for this. My niece is in college right now studying to be a sign language interpretor so I ran your issue about learning sign language by her. She suggested you check out the Gallaudet University web site. The address is www dot Gallaudet dot edu. They also state on the web site that you can email them with general questions on children and deafness at infotogo @ gallaudet dot edu.

They could probably help direct you to online reasources targeted at children.

Hope this helps.

 

[maiapapaya]

Hopefully I'm not too late for this. My niece is in college right now studying to be a sign language interpretor so I ran your issue about learning sign language by her. She suggested you check out the Gallaudet University web site. The address is www dot Gallaudet dot edu. They also state on the web site that you can email them with general questions on children and deafness at infotogo @ gallaudet dot edu.

They could probably help direct you to online reasources targeted at children.

Hope this helps.

Sorry I've taken so long to reply - we've been away on spring break. Thank you so much for this information!! I'll definitely check out what they have. Thanks again!

 

[seven dwarfs]

My daughter has a resent issue with hearing loss. We did not realize how bad it was until we were at Disney. In our experience, we had some major issues. A lot of the staff had no clue how to direct us, miss information, etc. We found some of the options to be broken/ not working at rides, the one device that is suposed to talk (we used both devices, one that talked loud, and one with cc) only talked about shops and food. We were told in AK that it was meant to be a visual park and they do not even hand out the device since so many complained??? I think it is good for you to research and be prepared. We certianly learned a lot on our trip and hope to make it better for her on our next trip.

I have learned a lot on this board that did not match our experience and things I was told. I think asking for a manger is the right thing to do. It is very sad for me to see my child, whom loves Disney and has experienced it with her hearing, now not have that same experience.

The reflective device at most shows is the best. She could see the reflection and read and watch the show at the same time. We were given a book at some shows. Very hard to hold a flashlight, read the words and be able to 'watch the show'. Although I think we learned a lot of vocabulary that we missed before!

We had the same issue at the Lion King Show as you did. They wouldn't let her sit upfront. Placed a tall person infront of her so she couldn't see. Trying to findd someone with the book and flashlight was a big deal. Then, someone with a high powered flash on their camera blinded her so she had issues reading the book. The person with the camera took pictures every second. I am sure they could not relate to her issues and just wanted pictures. I moved to a different seat with her. I was so overwhelmed and felt so alone. A dancer there saw my daughter reading with the flashlight and I am sure saw my sad face. She knew sign language!!, (oh how I wish we knew it and it is not offered anywhere in our town either and we have a deaf industry facility!!!!) she came to my daughter and signed (and talked) to her. It was the first time my daughter smiled the whole trip! I lost it and just cried that real ugly cry. Just that simple gesture made our trip! Till this day I think about her. It has certainly made us more aware of others and their disabilities.

I think until you experience things first hand, sometimes it is hard to relate.

Good luck with your trip. I am glad we have this board in order to share and learn from each other so we can help our trips be more magical!

Yes, DD reads lips very well. In the past we have obtained a GAC for her to sit in the front during shows (although we had a terrible encounter with a CM at FOTLK - he seemed to think the up front seating was only for those in wheel chairs and refused to let DD sit up front - by the time I convinced him to actually let me explain the situation he said it was too late, that the seats were already filled In retrospect I should have talked to a manager, but when there is a show about to begin a discussion with the manager probably wouldn't have happened - perhaps after to ensure the CM was better educated on special needs besides wheelchair seating)

I would love for DD to learn sign. She has a book and is very interested in it. When she was younger the strategy with the school for the deaf she was tied in with (although not attending) was to not teach her sign, in order to teach her to listen and speak (and not rely on sign). Now that she's older and her speach is well established, and her hearing is getting worse I think signing would be of a benefit. Unfortunately we live in a small rural community without a place where she could learn. I need to track down some sort of online program.

 

[Talking Hands]

My daughter has a resent issue with hearing loss. We did not realize how bad it was until we were at Disney. In our experience, we had some major issues. A lot of the staff had no clue how to direct us, miss information, etc. We found some of the options to be broken/ not working at rides, the one device that is suposed to talk (we used both devices, one that talked loud, and one with cc) only talked about shops and food. We were told in AK that it was meant to be a visual park and they do not even hand out the device since so many complained??? I think it is good for you to research and be prepared. We certianly learned a lot on our trip and hope to make it better for her on our next trip.

I have learned a lot on this board that did not match our experience and things I was told. I think asking for a manger is the right thing to do. It is very sad for me to see my child, whom loves Disney and has experienced it with her hearing, now not have that same experience.

The reflective device at most shows is the best. She could see the reflection and read and watch the show at the same time. We were given a book at some shows. Very hard to hold a flashlight, read the words and be able to 'watch the show'. Although I think we learned a lot of vocabulary that we missed before!

We had the same issue at the Lion King Show as you did. They wouldn't let her sit upfront. Placed a tall person infront of her so she couldn't see. Trying to findd someone with the book and flashlight was a big deal. Then, someone with a high powered flash on their camera blinded her so she had issues reading the book. The person with the camera took pictures every second. I am sure they could not relate to her issues and just wanted pictures. I moved to a different seat with her. I was so overwhelmed and felt so alone. A dancer there saw my daughter reading with the flashlight and I am sure saw my sad face. She knew sign language!!, (oh how I wish we knew it and it is not offered anywhere in our town either and we have a deaf industry facility!!!!) she came to my daughter and signed (and talked) to her. It was the first time my daughter smiled the whole trip! I lost it and just cried that real ugly cry. Just that simple gesture made our trip! Till this day I think about her. It has certainly made us more aware of others and their disabilities.

I think until you experience things first hand, sometimes it is hard to relate.

Good luck with your trip. I am glad we have this board in order to share and learn from each other so we can help our trips be more magical!

They are now interpreting Festival of the Lion King on Tuesday and Saturday. Right now it seems to be the 2:30 show. The cast at FOLK was great. My grandson was picked to be in the show at the end. The interpreters were so excited for us. Normally the deaf are seated towards the back because they have a good sight line between the interpreters and the actual show. Since the CM don't know the reasons they probably assume that deaf should be seated there at all shows. This is something you need to email Maureen or Mark about. I can send you a private message with their email if you would like. While I don't know Maureen's background, Mark is a CODA and definitely understands deaf issues.
Btw they did not place the tall person in front of your daughter. It is open seating and you are directed to a section and from there you pick where to sit. So the tall person chose to sit in front of your child. I would have asked him to move or as you did moved to another seat. With my grandsons we made sure we were on the end of a row so there would not be a person in front of them. I am in the aisle because of my wheelchair and back toward the bleachers due to the interpreting.

 

[maiapapaya]

They are now interpreting Festival of the Lion King on Tuesday and Saturday. Right now it seems to be the 2:30 show. The cast at FOLK was great. My grandson was picked to be in the show at the end. The interpreters were so excited for us. Normally the deaf are seated towards the back because they have a good sight line between the interpreters and the actual show. Since the CM don't know the reasons they probably assume that deaf should be seated there at all shows. This is something you need to email Maureen or Mark about. I can send you a private message with their email if you would like. While I don't know Maureen's background, Mark is a CODA and definitely understands deaf issues.
Btw they did not place the tall person in front of your daughter. It is open seating and you are directed to a section and from there you pick where to sit. So the tall person chose to sit in front of your child. I would have asked him to move or as you did moved to another seat. With my grandsons we made sure we were on the end of a row so there would not be a person in front of them. I am in the aisle because of my wheelchair and back toward the bleachers due to the interpreting.

When we had the issue with the CM at the FOTK that I mentioned earlier, we were not seated at the back. We were seated in I would say the fourth row of "reserved seating" that they hold back for guests with GAC's. The CM basically just glanced at the GAC and didn't bother reading what it said, had no idea what "assistance" she needed and herded us into the reserved seating area. I told him DD needed to sit in the front so she could have a clear view of the performers faces, because of her hearing loss (she does not sign, so being there during a interpreted show wouldn't have helped her). He refused to seat her up front. As you did, I put her as close to the end of the row as I could, because the rows are shorter right up front and I thought this would give her a clear view. Nope. That same clueless CM proceeded put an adult in a large power chair right in front of her. At that point I was once again on my feet and trying to explain to him what he just did. He just shrugged and said there was no where else to move DD, but that the floats are big and she'd still be able to see them. There was no point in talking to a manager right then, it wouldn't have made a difference, but I was definitely remiss in not speaking to someone after. I was so ticked off I just wanted to leave.

The year before we had no problem. DD was seated in the front row and really enjoyed the show. I was really taken aback when this occurred. It really put us off from attending the show again.

 

[seven dwarfs]

I feel like we must have had the same CM help us because I could write your post! And yes, the cm did put the person in front of my daughter.

When we had the issue with the CM at the FOTK that I mentioned earlier, we were not seated at the back. We were seated in I would say the fourth row of "reserved seating" that they hold back for guests with GAC's. The CM basically just glanced at the GAC and didn't bother reading what it said, had no idea what "assistance" she needed and herded us into the reserved seating area. I told him DD needed to sit in the front so she could have a clear view of the performers faces, because of her hearing loss (she does not sign, so being there during a interpreted show wouldn't have helped her). He refused to seat her up front. As you did, I put her as close to the end of the row as I could, because the rows are shorter right up front and I thought this would give her a clear view. Nope. That same clueless CM proceeded put an adult in a large power chair right in front of her. At that point I was once again on my feet and trying to explain to him what he just did. He just shrugged and said there was no where else to move DD, but that the floats are big and she'd still be able to see them. There was no point in talking to a manager right then, it wouldn't have made a difference, but I was definitely remiss in not speaking to someone after. I was so ticked off I just wanted to leave.

The year before we had no problem. DD was seated in the front row and really enjoyed the show. I was really taken aback when this occurred. It really put us off from attending the show again.

 

[nhmommy]

In regards to learning sign language For very simple signs I suggest baby signing times for you to learn you can then teach them to her. My very young son has a speech delay and we are trying to incorporate some signs to help,the Signing time DVD's have made it very easy for me to learn very simple signs.

Just be aware they are for baby so it is very babyish for lack of a better word but it is a great and easy basic introduction.

 

[Talking Hands]

In regards to learning sign language For very simple signs I suggest baby signing times for you to learn you can then teach them to her. My very young son has a speech delay and we are trying to incorporate some signs to help,the Signing time DVD's have made it very easy for me to learn very simple signs.

Just be aware they are for baby so it is very babyish for lack of a better word but it is a great and easy basic introduction.

I have to disagree with you on this. ASL is a language and learning just signs without learning the grammar is not a good idea. I have taught my grandson actual ASL signs and now at 3 he is picking up on the grammar just from seeing the language used by me and my friends both deaf and interpreters. Try to find someone from the deaf community to teach you sign language. Check for churches that have a deaf ministry, deaf services bureau, the school system and any place the deaf gather.
Also don't listen to any hearing person (medical or not) that tells you they will not gain speech if the use sign. This is not true at all. If a child is going to speak they will. Some will never use speech. Others will both sign and speak. I see the complete range in my friends and students I worked with (deaf, autistic and selective mute). Remember that the hearing community views deafness as something that needs fixing but the deaf community does not. Deaf can do pretty much anything but hear.

 

[maiapapaya]

I have to disagree with you on this. ASL is a language and learning just signs without learning the grammar is not a good idea. I have taught my grandson actual ASL signs and now at 3 he is picking up on the grammar just from seeing the language used by me and my friends both deaf and interpreters. Try to find someone from the deaf community to teach you sign language. Check for churches that have a deaf ministry, deaf services bureau, the school system and any place the deaf gather.
Also don't listen to any hearing person (medical or not) that tells you they will not gain speech if the use sign. This is not true at all. If a child is going to speak they will. Some will never use speech. Others will both sign and speak. I see the complete range in my friends and students I worked with (deaf, autistic and selective mute). Remember that the hearing community views deafness as something that needs fixing but the deaf community does not. Deaf can do pretty much anything but hear.

Our DD's hearing loss is normally moderately-severe, and she does benefit from her aids. That is why the audio-verbal approach was taken with her (ie. she has some hearing, so teach her to use it). Also, we live in a small, rural town with no deaf community what so ever. The school for the deaf she was tied into has an outreach program for preschool children (her itinerant teacher also has a hearing loss).

That being said, DD's loss is currently profound in one of her ears because of a medical reason that has compounded things (she is having surgery next month to repair it). It is actually her (she's just turning 8) who has expressed a desire to learn to sign at this point. I think she just gets tired of having to be "on" all the time, trying to hear everything. She also finds it frustrating when people occasionally don't understand her speech.

Many years ago I took a sign language course purely out of interest (eons before becoming a mom! LOL) so I do agree with you that it is a language and as such should be taught properly. This is why, given our lack of local resources, I'm hoping to find a good online program, with video support so she and I (and hopefully DH and her sisters) can learn properly. We will probably never be fluent, but at least learn enough to help DD get a foundation.