Vacations are a fun way to relive the everyday stress in one’s life. It is also a great way to have some adventure and spend quality time with friends and family members. In today’s society, one may think that being deaf may cause some hindrance when vacationing. However, there are many resources and opportunities for deaf individuals to have fun and be accommodated on their vacations. Some ideas for deaf vacations are cruses centered around the deaf, deaf awareness days at Disneyland and activities that are lead by interpreters knowing ASL.
One accommodating vacation idea that has become very popular is deaf cruses. The online company, Deaf Travel, is not only an accommodating travel agency, but it is owned and operated by a deaf individual. This agency is run by Maria Michelson who has been deaf for almost her whole life. She works closely with the company Deaf Unlimited to better equip herself in helping other deaf individuals create their own dream vacation. One of the biggest events coming up is called Deaf Hawaiian Cruse 2007 and it is sponsored by the Carnival Cruise Company. This cruise takes port around a variety of the Hawaiian Islands, last 12 days, and is specifically geared to accommodating deal travelers (Deaf Travels, 2007). To find out more information, go to the web site http://www.deaftravels.com/about.php. Another company dedicated to improving the vacation experience for the deaf is Passenger Deaf Travels. They offer bookings for the very popular Deaf Freedom Cruise. This cruse consists of almost all deal passengers and specifically centers on the deaf. Go to the web site http://www.passagesdeaftravel.com/ for more information.
For those families with deaf children, one opportunity for some fun is the Disneyland Deaf Awareness Day. Each year Disneyland has a day were ASL interpreters are located all over the park to help those who are deaf to capture the full Disney experience. This year the event was in March and it cost around $45 dollars per individual (All Deaf.com, 2007). For more information on this event go to the web sites http://www.ocdeaf.org/flyers/OCDeaf-Disneyland2007.pdf and http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_397Sign.
Another exciting adventure for the deaf community while on vacation is cape rock tours in the exotic location of Cape Town, South Africa! The company Cape Rock Tours and Adventures, is very accommodating to the deaf community. The web site states, “Our guides who conduct these tours are all qualified tourist guides and fluent in international sign language. They grew up in the deaf community and therefore understand the needs of the deaf traveler” (Cape Rock Tours, 2007). This company will also help create a special tour for large group outings as well. This idea is more suitable for adults however. For more information go to the web site http://caperocktours.com/deaf/deaf.php to explore your options.
Overall, there are a lot of opportunities for the deaf to have fun filled and adventurist vacations that will help create wonderful memories for all! A lot of the websites above will also help you find accommodating hotels and flights for your desired travel destinations.
One accommodating vacation idea that has become very popular is deaf cruses. The online company, Deaf Travel, is not only an accommodating travel agency, but it is owned and operated by a deaf individual. This agency is run by Maria Michelson who has been deaf for almost her whole life. She works closely with the company Deaf Unlimited to better equip herself in helping other deaf individuals create their own dream vacation. One of the biggest events coming up is called Deaf Hawaiian Cruse 2007 and it is sponsored by the Carnival Cruise Company. This cruise takes port around a variety of the Hawaiian Islands, last 12 days, and is specifically geared to accommodating deal travelers (Deaf Travels, 2007). To find out more information, go to the web site http://www.deaftravels.com/about.php. Another company dedicated to improving the vacation experience for the deaf is Passenger Deaf Travels. They offer bookings for the very popular Deaf Freedom Cruise. This cruse consists of almost all deal passengers and specifically centers on the deaf. Go to the web site http://www.passagesdeaftravel.com/ for more information.
For those families with deaf children, one opportunity for some fun is the Disneyland Deaf Awareness Day. Each year Disneyland has a day were ASL interpreters are located all over the park to help those who are deaf to capture the full Disney experience. This year the event was in March and it cost around $45 dollars per individual (All Deaf.com, 2007). For more information on this event go to the web sites http://www.ocdeaf.org/flyers/OCDeaf-Disneyland2007.pdf and http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_397Sign.
Another exciting adventure for the deaf community while on vacation is cape rock tours in the exotic location of Cape Town, South Africa! The company Cape Rock Tours and Adventures, is very accommodating to the deaf community. The web site states, “Our guides who conduct these tours are all qualified tourist guides and fluent in international sign language. They grew up in the deaf community and therefore understand the needs of the deaf traveler” (Cape Rock Tours, 2007). This company will also help create a special tour for large group outings as well. This idea is more suitable for adults however. For more information go to the web site http://caperocktours.com/deaf/deaf.php to explore your options.
Overall, there are a lot of opportunities for the deaf to have fun filled and adventurist vacations that will help create wonderful memories for all! A lot of the websites above will also help you find accommodating hotels and flights for your desired travel destinations.
Citations:
Cape Rock Tours and Adventures. (2007). Deaf Tours. Retrived on Aug 11. 2007 :http://caperocktours.com/contact/contact.php
Cape Rock Tours and Adventures. (2007). Deaf Tours. Retrived on Aug 11. 2007 :http://caperocktours.com/contact/contact.php
Hayden, Katrina. (2007). Sign language club to visit Disneyland. Retrived Aug. 11, 2007 from:http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_397Sign
Michaelson, Maria. (2004). Dealf Travels. Retreived on Aug. 11, 2007 from:http://www.deaftravels.com/about.php
Passages Deaf Travel. (2005). Deaf freedom cruize 2007. Retrieved on Aug. 11, 2007 from:
The Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation. (2007). Retrived August 20, 2007 from : http://www.ocdeaf.org/flyers/OCDeaf-Disneyland2007.pdf
