Any Deaf-Friendly Travel for Non-Signers?
Thursday November 27, 2008
An About.com visitor asked this question:
I also would like to take a cruise accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people who do not use sign language as their primary language, but instead us CART and ALDs.I replied that I did not know of any such cruise, only of cruises that use sign language.I tried learning sign language over many years but wasn't very good at it. I use a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. Two months ago, I was on a cruise of the Caribbean and I requested CART months before it began. They told me that no one has ever requested CART before. Since CART was denied, I requested and received scripts of their nightly entertainment programs, if available. I was wondering: Has anyone ever requested CART for a cruise that they went on?
Comments
this seems hard to accomadate a trip for a deaf person who doesn’t use sign language. You should be fine if you have both C.I., hearing aids and have the abilitiy to talk. Best way would be hiring a lip-read or cued speech interpreter for your trip.
When I requested a sign language interpreter for my cruise, I had to call them several times and ask for their supervisors several times before they finally approved my request. Perhaps this is what it takes to get accommodations?
Interesting. I am a CART provider and I am very blown away that it was that difficult to get then to return your call pertaining to an interpreter. I noticed this post while browsing and thought it was such a great idea to request CART for a cruise! I don’t know if they will do it, never checked into it, but I would love to know.. Good luck with the cruise lines! Hope they will accommodate you on that…
Hi! I do know an Interpreter that is really good with hard-of-hearing because I do lip-reading with her. That’s is an alternative for the CART. But you should make sure you understand the Interpreter and that he/she doesn’t forget to do move their lips as most ASL Interpreters forget.
I went on a Disney cruise and requested CART. I did call a second time about a month before my cruise to make sure it was still on the books. They verified it was. When I arrived, they had everything set up - they even met me within an hour of my boarding! It really worked out well, I think, they had two CART providers available and I only had to tell them which shows I was going to attend. They offered the scripts, but I declined. I think the audience was more interested in watching the CART interpreter than really paying attention to the shows, but it was their loss! Of course, I got some attention for needing it - especially when in the dining rooms, but it wasn’t anything I wasn’t already used too. They even taught my waitstaff that were assigned to my table some easy signs to use with me (it was nice to be able to “quietly” say what I wanted without having to have to write it out or have someone else interpret). I would definitely recommend the Disney cruise line to anyone. I had such a great time! So did my daughter - who got a break from interpreting for me! lol