American Sign Language Interpretation at WDW

What is American Sign Language:

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual-gestural language used by many deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States and Canada. It is a complete language with it's own grammar and syntax. It is not merely pantomime nor is it English using the hands. It is not universal.

I am a hard of hearing and use American Sign Language in many situations were verbal language is difficult to understand such as lectures, theatrical shows and conferences. I also work with the deaf children and other nonverbal children and use American Sign Language to communicate with them and interpret for them.

Why American Sign Language:

The American Disabilities Act requires that Disney make their services accessible to ALL their guests including those with disabilities within reasonable limits. ASL bridges the communication gap that exists when you cannot hear or understand spoken English clearly. Written scripts have been available in the past but they are difficult to follow while also following a show. Black and white cannot compare with the visual beauty of American Sign Language. It is much more interesting and alive. You do not feel like an outside looking in.

Over the past 10 years it has become frustrating for me to watch the wonderful musical shows at Walt Disney World because I could no longer fully understand the words to the songs and follow what was going on. I could not always determine who was speaking and if I happened to figure out who was speaking I was normally to far away to read their lips. Add, the fact that, English is only about 35% readable on the lips and you can see why I became frustrated and was no longer enjoying my trips to see the Magic.

For my students, many cannot read yet or do not read well, so scripts were of no use to them. Many of their parents do not know American Sign Language well enough to interpret a show, if they know it at all. Think of these children in a glass box. They can see all that goes on but there is no sound to explain what is happening. Their parents can try to explain the action but it often becomes confusing and frustrating to them and the children. This was a frequent complaint I would hear when the kids came back from their trips to Walt Disney World. While their parents and siblings are enjoying the show they are sitting watching the equivalent of a silent movie without the benefit of captions.

To resolve this problem Disney has contracted with a company to provide professional interpreters who are skilled in theatrical interpretation in American Sign Language for many of the shows and attractions where language is crucial to the understanding of show or attraction.

How it works:

The company that Disney has contracted with interprets the shows on a rotating schedule throughout the week. Over the past year I have been aware of the interpreters, they have offered interpretation at many of the shows once per day at the park being interpreted that day.

At least 2 weeks prior to your planned visit contact the coordinator and he/she can fax or email you a copy of a previous weeks schedule to give you an idea, how to plan your vacation. I usually contact him a little over 60 days prior to my trip. This allows you to arrange Advance Reservations if you plan to use them. If there is a problem with times ask to speak to a supervisor and explain that you must go by a schedule provided for the sign language interpreting and they will do their best to accommodate you. Remember that Advance Reservations are not traditional reservations so give yourself as much time as possible to eat and get to your next show.

Since I travel alone or with adults entirely, I usually plan one day to watch the interpreted shows and a later day for the rides. This may not be possible with children so you may want to start or end with the interpreted park and then hop to another park or go back to your hotel and swim, nap and relax. Following the schedule can be hectic and a bit of a hassle at times but once you see the interpreted shows you will probably agree that it is well worth it.

Plan to be 30 minutes early for shows so you can be seated in the proper area for the interpreters. This is especially true for parades as the viewing area is often shared with wheelchair guests and can get filled quickly. I find that once the interpreters know you are in the park for that day they will look out for you and check with you to see if you are planning to go to the next interpreted venue. You must be clear to the castmembers seating you that you need to be in the area reserved for guests needing sign language interpretation. This is especially true if you also are using a wheelchair as wheelchair seating for the shows is not always in the same area. Do not let them tell you they cannot accommodate both because they can and do.

When and where are the interpreted performances:

Editor's Note: When you arrive at your first WDW park, go to Guest Services and ask them to print out the interpreted performance schedule for the next week or two (depending on how long you will be at WDW).

I first saw an interpreted performance last June, almost a year ago. I had not gone to see it knowing it was interpreted but to see a castmember that went through school with my daughter from elementary to high school perform. While I had enjoyed watching her perform many times I had never understood the words to the music and the dialog. I was totally blown away. The two interpreters made a clear picture of what was going on and I could understand every word. I had tears of joy running down my face.

Special events such as Night of Joy, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade and the Candlelight Processional also have interpreted performances. You can also request interpretation for other shows where the dialog is an essential part of the experience. I have had interpretation for Hoop Dee Doo, Pleasure Island's Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers Club and a Pin Talk given by Scoop Sanderson given at Exhibition Hall in the Magic Kingdom.

Also available on some rides and shows are video captioning, reflective captioning, handheld captioning (MK and EPCOT, assistive listening devices and written aids.

How do I request ASL interpretation:

At LEAST TWO (2) WEEKS prior to your visit contact MARK JONES, Deaf Services Coordinator, Walt Disney's Services for Guests with Disabilities at 407-824-4321 (voice) or 407-827-5141 (tty). Also let him know if you need a special type of interpreting such as tactile or close vision for the deaf-blind.

What did I like and dislike about the services available:

The quality of the interpreting was excellent each time I have visited the parks. I can't say I have found one interpreter that was bad. All are good and some are absolutely superb. It is very ASL for the shows but if you are the only person needing interpretation at a talk or on a ride they will sometimes ask your preference. This is appreciated although I personally prefer ASL. Some people may feel that sign language interpretation is distracting to the show but I find that most people are fascinated by it. Those who are bothered will usually move so it is out of their sightline.

The interpreters are usually placed on the far right so you do not always get the best view but it is a workable compromise and seems to be pretty standard in theatrical interpreting I have seen and not unique to Disney.

It would be nice if they would reserve seating in all shows where there is a clear view of the interpreters. One that particularly stands out is Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue. People always seem to come in before the previous show ends and take up seats that would give a clear view of the interpreters. Since I can't do that in a wheelchair I am stuck with an obstructed view each time for this show. Since there is only one interpreted show that day I am stuck.

More interpreting would be great. I would love to see some of the music groups at EPCOT interpreted such as the Voices of Liberty and Off Kilter. Of course, I can enjoy Off Kilter without interpretation but miss out on the words. Voices of Liberty, without interpretation, are not even worth bothering with. Boring.

I really enjoy the characters that take the time to sign. At Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade during dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern Minnie signed to me. I was surprised that she realized I used sign language but really enjoyed it.

Also the non-face characters that communicate entirely through pantomime are wonderful. They really make the day.

Finally be sure to contact Disney and let them know what you like and dislike after you have experienced it. Be sure to include the good as well as the not so good. Without feedback, there is no way for them to know whether or not they are providing what works for your needs.

UPDATE: 3/2002 - On March 12, my 54 birthday, my husband and I went to Hoop Dee Doo. Because we were staying at Coronado Springs we choose to drive to Ft Wilderness and go to the MK from there then come back to Ft Wilderness for Hoop Dee Doo. This worked well. We have attended Hoop Dee Doo many times with our daughters but this was our first time for just the 2 of us. Also the first time to see it with interpreters since I started to lose my hearing. Vince and Tara were the interpreters and they did a great job. Tara even realized that I could not understand the castmember asking me about my birthday and came and interpreted for me. The jokes were as corny as ever and the show was terrific. The food was the also the same as before. Nothing truly great but decent. I had a great birthday. ( Lisa Crawford)

Read Lisa's Keys to the Kingdom Tour report!

These are my opinions only, from the experiences I have had over the past year at Disney. They may or may not be shared by others. I welcome your comments and questions. You may contact me at lisacasl@aol.com.

Lisa Crawford

(Thanks to Kristina Robinson for writing the original page in 1997.)