Hearing Impaired individual

[GrandMum]

I will be traveling to WDW next April with my daughter and granddaughter. My daughter is deaf but primarily reads lips. She speaks very well and most people do not realize that she can't hear. I would like some suggestions as to who I can contact at Disney to figure out how we can make this work.

 

[Lilsia]

Disability Services at (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com . They can answer any of your questions as well as guest services in the parks.

 

[lanejudy]

When you call be sure to ask about a schedule for sign language interpreters if that would be helpful for her.

 

[mamabunny]

And you can book WDW Resort rooms with accommodations for her as well; there is a specific category for that.

 

[slyster]

Are you looking to have interpreters? I believe all the shows have closed captioning as they have TVs. But yes call Disability services.

 

[GrandMum]

Thanks for the info.

I will wait on schedule for interpreters as we get closer since that could change. My biggest concern is having to lower my mask so I can tell her things. Or if she is not with me, what to get so she can ask CMs to lower their mask.

 

[redberyl]

They make face masks with a clear window over the mouth so she could see your lips. I havent used them, just something I saw on amazon.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Thanks for the info.

I will wait on schedule for interpreters as we get closer since that could change. My biggest concern is having to lower my mask so I can tell her things. Or if she is not with me, what to get so she can ask CMs to lower their mask.

I don’t think she will be able to have CM’s lower their masks.

 

[NC State]

Thanks for the info.

I will wait on schedule for interpreters as we get closer since that could change. My biggest concern is having to lower my mask so I can tell her things. Or if she is not with me, what to get so she can ask CMs to lower their mask.

My adult daughter is hearing impaired and she's having a lot of problems understanding people because she's a lip reader as well.

 

[slyster]

My wife is deaf. We are considering getting her a mask that says she is deaf. She has no idea when someone is talking to her and is only clued in when someone moves their lips. I am a little worried about it. She has to have interpreters for the show. She lipreads only a little bit.

 

[lanejudy]

I think @StitchesGr8Fan is correct. My understanding is that WDW is making zero exceptions about masks.

@GrandMum - I recommend you look into some of the masks that have a "window" so she can see your lips, especially if she relies mainly on lipreading and not sign language. If there will be times that she is not with someone else in your party who can assist, I recommend she carry a small notebook and pen. I think communication may need to be written (or signed) because I don't believe a CM will lower their mask to speak with her.

 

[KPeveler]

I have some hearing loss and I have great difficulty understanding people when there is any background noise. I have been having some trouble when people are talking with their masks. Until this pandemic, I did not realize how much I rely on lip-reading.

I would get clear masks for your family at least, so that way you can communicate with her. Cast Members will not remove their masks, so you need to plan for that.

I know in the past they had it (I am not sure if they are using it now) - there was a device you could get from Guest relations that would provide closed captioning of a lot of rides. It is something to ask the Disability phone service about.

Hope you have a great trip

 

[Karin1984]

If she knows ASL and if meeting characters is a thing again next April. Based on videos I saw on Youtube, I think many characters can at least spell their name in ASL, and are always willing to learn.

When you search for Disney + ASL on youtube you will find examples, but also the interpreters at shows or parades.

 

[GrandMum]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I knew DISers would have a lot of info.

 

[Starwind]

Disney also has some info on this webpage, though some parts may not be current: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/guest-services/hearing-disabilities-services/

The page includes the info for contacting Disability Services near the top of the page.

 

[LizzyDragon]

I once worked a HoH/Deaf conference. Many attendees used their phones to communicate- either by texting each other, or by using the notes function on their phones to type a message to show others. This may not work with all CMs- I'm not sure if they can have their phones on them when they're "on stage". But may be an option to communicate with others.

 

[mamabunny]

I once worked a HoH/Deaf conference. Many attendees used their phones to communicate- either by texting each other, or by using the notes function on their phones to type a message to show others. This may not work with all CMs- I'm not sure if they can have their phones on them when they're "on stage". But may be an option to communicate with others.

There is an app that I learned about here, on the DISboards several years ago, called "EmergencyChat" that is available on iOS and Android.

The app will allow you to start a "chat" style conversation with another person, and then hand them your phone so that they can type back, which keeps the conversation on your device. Either side has the option to use dictation (on iOS, look for the microphone icon to the left of the space bar) so that you don't have to type, you can dictate.

I don't know if this would be something workable for this situation, but I thought I would mention it, just in case.

The icon looks like this on iOS:

 

[gap2368]

I once worked a HoH/Deaf conference. Many attendees used their phones to communicate- either by texting each other, or by using the notes function on their phones to type a message to show others. This may not work with all CMs- I'm not sure if they can have their phones on them when they're "on stage". But may be an option to communicate with others.

I have used my phone to communicate with cm I am sure you could give the CM your phone for them to reply if they did not have there phone

 

[Joanna71985]

I have used my phone to communicate with cm I am sure you could give the CM your phone for them to reply if they did not have there phone

considering CMs are not allowed to use guest phones to take pictures, I don't see this being a thing for them

 

[shoreward]

There are several speech to text apps that might be worth looking into. A family member, who relies on power aids+lipreading, had an appointment with one of hers docs, where her physician used the app during the visit. The speaker merely needs to speak into your phone -there is no texting involved. The clear mouth face masks are not the best; most will fog up over the clear mouth area.

https://www.happyscribe.com/blog/best-free-speech-to-text-app-for-iphone/