Event at zoo welcomes the deaf

Miss-Delectable · 07-25-2006, 01:07 AM

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...607230360/1056

Mechille Booso was fascinated Saturday as she watched Sid, a white-feathered cockatoo, at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Nearby, interpreter K.T. Weisgerber signed American Sign Language for the 34-year-old deaf woman as the bird's handler answered her questions after watching the zoo's bird show.

"I'm calling him a male, but as soon as he lays an egg, I'll change my mind," said the bird's handler, Ken Freeman, who was holding the bird. Sid seemed to chuckle.

"You think that's funny?" Freeman said to the bird.

As the interpreter signed Freeman's words, Booso laughed. Without the interpreter, Booso would have missed the joke.

She was one of 50 to 70 deaf and hard-of-hearing people who attended Deaf Zoo Day, sponsored annually by the zoo and the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center's Community Services for the Deaf.

The event was designed to give the deaf community an opportunity to attend zoo tours and watch shows with interpreters.

"The interpreter helps bring the show alive," said Bob Coltrane, the center's director of Community Services for the Deaf. "Imagine sitting here and not understanding what's going on. It's entertaining, but the richness of the show comes from knowing what they're saying."

Six interpreters were on hand throughout the day to sign for deaf adults and children.

"It's great for all of them to be able to have this experience together," said interpreter Rachel Heinbaugh.

Cathy Cody, another interpreter, added, "If you can't hear what's going on, it kind of takes the fun out of being at the zoo."

Angela Sohn, 24, of Mason liked the bird show the best. "I can talk and hear, one to one, but in a group, I can't. I can just see the animals and know they're doing something."

It was hard for Booso to choose her favorite zoo experience.

"I really like it all - everything," she said through an interpreter. "I liked all of the different birds, the tigers, the lions, the elephants and the giraffes. I love the monkeys, I wish I could pet them, but I can't."

zookeeper4321 · 07-25-2006, 11:42 PM

Cool!

indie · 07-26-2006, 01:14 PM

Awsome!!!!!!!!!!

07-25-2006, 01:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Miss-Delectable Capt Tony Nelson, Jeannie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: No.1 Shopping Capital in Australia Posts: 8,855 Blog Entries: 3	Event at zoo welcomes the deaf http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...607230360/1056 Mechille Booso was fascinated Saturday as she watched Sid, a white-feathered cockatoo, at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Nearby, interpreter K.T. Weisgerber signed American Sign Language for the 34-year-old deaf woman as the bird's handler answered her questions after watching the zoo's bird show. "I'm calling him a male, but as soon as he lays an egg, I'll change my mind," said the bird's handler, Ken Freeman, who was holding the bird. Sid seemed to chuckle. "You think that's funny?" Freeman said to the bird. As the interpreter signed Freeman's words, Booso laughed. Without the interpreter, Booso would have missed the joke. She was one of 50 to 70 deaf and hard-of-hearing people who attended Deaf Zoo Day, sponsored annually by the zoo and the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center's Community Services for the Deaf. The event was designed to give the deaf community an opportunity to attend zoo tours and watch shows with interpreters. "The interpreter helps bring the show alive," said Bob Coltrane, the center's director of Community Services for the Deaf. "Imagine sitting here and not understanding what's going on. It's entertaining, but the richness of the show comes from knowing what they're saying." Six interpreters were on hand throughout the day to sign for deaf adults and children. "It's great for all of them to be able to have this experience together," said interpreter Rachel Heinbaugh. Cathy Cody, another interpreter, added, "If you can't hear what's going on, it kind of takes the fun out of being at the zoo." Angela Sohn, 24, of Mason liked the bird show the best. "I can talk and hear, one to one, but in a group, I can't. I can just see the animals and know they're doing something." It was hard for Booso to choose her favorite zoo experience. "I really like it all - everything," she said through an interpreter. "I liked all of the different birds, the tigers, the lions, the elephants and the giraffes. I love the monkeys, I wish I could pet them, but I can't."

07-25-2006, 11:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
zookeeper4321 Madly in love Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: the planet gorgo Posts: 445	Cool! __________________ What happens if you're scared half to death twice?

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07-26-2006, 01:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
indie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In the mountians. Posts: 157	Awsome!!!!!!!!!!