WDW with deaf children

[tefany27]

Hello!
Headed to Disney World in a few days with my family. Two of my children are deaf, ages 6 and 3. They wear hearing devices (cochlear implants) but rely heavily on sign language.
Any suggestions, tips to making the most of their experience would be wonderful.
Thank you!

 

[lanejudy]

WDW does offer some assistive listening devices and captioning devices for the hearing impaired through Guest Relations in the parks. The listening devices use headphones and only work on certain attractions, though I will admit we had a very difficult time getting the signal and it was usually just static so my DD ended up not using it. The captioning devices probably are not appropriate for such young children unless they can read words well, you would know your children's abilities. WDW does offer ASL interpreters at CERTAIN specific times each week - you should contact WDW to find out that schedule so you can plan to be in the right park on the right day to catch that.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Talking Hands]

Hello!
Headed to Disney World in a few days with my family. Two of my children are deaf, ages 6 and 3. They wear hearing devices (cochlear implants) but rely heavily on sign language.
Any suggestions, tips to making the most of their experience would be wonderful.
Thank you!

Contact Maureen Hogan (Maureen.Hogan@disney.com) for a schedule of the interpreted shows and information on assistive listening devices. She will send the schedule 1 week prior to your trip. Also if you plan on any dinner shows like Hoop Dee Doo or Luau let her know at least 2 weeks before and interpreters can be set up for that.
If your trip is really close then you can pick up the interpreter schedule at any Guest Service location in the parks. Magic Kingdom is interpreted Monday and Thursday, Epcot Tuesday and Friday, Hollywood Studios Wednesday and Sunday and Animal Kingdom on Saturdays.