Deaf children find rewarding work at Six Flags

Miss-Delectable · 07-08-2008, 02:50 AM

Deaf children find rewarding work at Six Flags | Top Stories | Star-Telegram.com

Six Flags guests can hear six international languages spoken by All American Cafe employees this summer — and see one signed.

Morgan Campbell and Laura Lower, both 16 and of Arlington, are two of 11 deaf employees on staff. Five days a week, they don highlighter-yellow shirts and prepare hamburger vegetables and condiments at the restaurant alongside peers who can hear. Campbell and Lower, students at the Texas School for the Deaf, communicate with each other through American Sign Language.

"I’ve met a lot of friendly people here," Campbell said through the park’s interpreter, Cindy Whitley. "I love being here every day and learning to communicate with people."

Deaf employees also work at food stands, park gates and guest services. The park accepts applicants 15 and older all year and has staffed as many as 30 deaf workers at one time, Whitley said.

"In general this experience benefits everyone," Whitley said. "We’re all learning to be flexible and deal with people not like ourselves."

Six Flags employs Texas School for the Deaf students during the school year as well. The school, in Austin, buses students to Arlington on weekends to work. Whitley and other interpreters help smooth communication among Six Flags employees.

TSD Superintendent Claire Bugon encourages summer jobs for students and hopes they will develop a solid work ethic.

"A place like Six Flags is such a fun place to work," she said. "It’s also good for the hearing population because they get exposure to another language, American Sign Language."

'I love it here’

Campbell prefers mingling with patrons and earning extra money to sitting at home during the summers. She said that most park guests can read her lips but that when they have difficulty communicating, they whip out pens and paper.

"Here, I’m working and interacting with so many different types of people," she said. "I’m seeing a different part of life."

Campbell knew about her grandmother’s experience working for the park and was eager to start.

Lower was wary at first, but after she applied, in April, her excitement grew.

"My mom helped me fill out my forms and communicate," Lower said through Whitley. "And now I love it here."

Being deaf and working at Six Flags comes with challenges. Campbell said that when she and Lower wander the park on their breaks, they get nervous that guests will ask them for directions.

"If you don’t have paper, it’s awkward," she said. "We usually write notes and point at maps to show them."

The two girls called their job "awesome" and hope that more deaf students and adults will apply.

"This is the best you can have as your first job," Campbell said through Whitley.

07-08-2008, 02:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Miss-Delectable Capt Tony Nelson, Jeannie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: No.1 Shopping Capital in Australia Posts: 8,693 Blog Entries: 3	Deaf children find rewarding work at Six Flags Deaf children find rewarding work at Six Flags \| Top Stories \| Star-Telegram.com Six Flags guests can hear six international languages spoken by All American Cafe employees this summer — and see one signed. Morgan Campbell and Laura Lower, both 16 and of Arlington, are two of 11 deaf employees on staff. Five days a week, they don highlighter-yellow shirts and prepare hamburger vegetables and condiments at the restaurant alongside peers who can hear. Campbell and Lower, students at the Texas School for the Deaf, communicate with each other through American Sign Language. "I’ve met a lot of friendly people here," Campbell said through the park’s interpreter, Cindy Whitley. "I love being here every day and learning to communicate with people." Deaf employees also work at food stands, park gates and guest services. The park accepts applicants 15 and older all year and has staffed as many as 30 deaf workers at one time, Whitley said. "In general this experience benefits everyone," Whitley said. "We’re all learning to be flexible and deal with people not like ourselves." Six Flags employs Texas School for the Deaf students during the school year as well. The school, in Austin, buses students to Arlington on weekends to work. Whitley and other interpreters help smooth communication among Six Flags employees. TSD Superintendent Claire Bugon encourages summer jobs for students and hopes they will develop a solid work ethic. "A place like Six Flags is such a fun place to work," she said. "It’s also good for the hearing population because they get exposure to another language, American Sign Language." 'I love it here’ Campbell prefers mingling with patrons and earning extra money to sitting at home during the summers. She said that most park guests can read her lips but that when they have difficulty communicating, they whip out pens and paper. "Here, I’m working and interacting with so many different types of people," she said. "I’m seeing a different part of life." Campbell knew about her grandmother’s experience working for the park and was eager to start. Lower was wary at first, but after she applied, in April, her excitement grew. "My mom helped me fill out my forms and communicate," Lower said through Whitley. "And now I love it here." Being deaf and working at Six Flags comes with challenges. Campbell said that when she and Lower wander the park on their breaks, they get nervous that guests will ask them for directions. "If you don’t have paper, it’s awkward," she said. "We usually write notes and point at maps to show them." The two girls called their job "awesome" and hope that more deaf students and adults will apply. "This is the best you can have as your first job," Campbell said through Whitley. __________________

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