Sign language button?

[kdzbear]

I am thinking about taking my 21 month child to Disney. He can not talk and only signs. He will be a little over two when we go. Is there a button or a way to let Cast Members and characters know that he can only sign and not talk? Should I make one at home ahead of time? Any help with anyone that had experienced this would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

I wouldn't worry about it. He'll be with you the entire time, and I think that most CM's are pretty clued in to things like this. You'll probably find that some of them know at least a smattering of ASL.

Anne

 

[SueM in MN]

My DD signs (sort of modified signs - she has cerebral palsy and just leaves off the hard parts).
We would just tell the character handler that she could hear and understand, but used sign language. The characters like Mickey and Minnie only have 4 fingers, so they can't do all signs, but many of the characters know and can do some signs.

 

[Talking Hands]

CMs that sign have it indicated by the letters SL in the manual alphabet on their nametag. Others do know some. Just clue them to his signing. You could make a button with ILY on it for him to wear.

 

[kdzbear]

CMs that sign have it indicated by the letters SL in the manual alphabet on their nametag. Others do know some. Just clue them to his signing. You could make a button with ILY on it for him to wear.

Thank you for your helpful response. I do have one more question. Is there a place that has the signs for Disney Character's names in sign language? My family and I are learning this new language with him. We use the signing time.com videos and then his speech therapist comes twice a month and teaches us new signs to use with him. It helps so much to communicate with him. Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Val]

My DD9 is hard of hearing and wears bilateral hearing aids...she signs some, but mostly lip reads. Her hair is long, and unless it is pulled back (actually, it usually is when we visit in the summer), the CMs may not notice. Since she is a little sensitive about telling everyone about her hearing loss, I use a small business card that says "DD has hearing loss. Please speak loudly and look at her when talking". It is in bold letters....I "flash" it at the CMs......so far it was worked like a charm.

The face characters even have a tendency to crouch down and get eye to eye with her. No embarrassment and she has much greater joy when she can understand what they say.

The other characters (e.g., Mickey, etc.), don't talk- to it is all pantomine. NO problem with those interactions!