Branson, Missouri to Become Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly
(This is slightly off topic to those readers arriving from the technical aggregators, but nevertheless is an item of interest to all, I believe)
Okay i've been holding off on sharing this information for a little while now until things really began to materialize, but the time is now right to let the world know about S.E.E. ... Signed Entertainment Enterprises.
The organization was started by my brother Randy Boude in an effort to rally the entire city of Branson, Missouri together to make themselves extremely accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Since Branson boasts more shows than even Las Vegas, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the midwest and has up to this point, been at best (and like nearly every other city in America) minimally ADA compliant. Well, S.E.E. is changing all that, and thanks to the evangelizing of Randy Boude, two hotels and one theater have already become "S.E.E. Certified". They have invested in TTYs and Face to Face communication devices, trained their staff in basic ASL and deaf culture, and have made numerous other changes to further enhance the quality of the services and entertainment rendered to their deaf and hard of hearing patrons. Many other shows, restaurants, theaters, and even the city government are already on board and submitting to S.E.E.'s audits to ensure their own "Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendliness". Here's a link to my brother being interviewed via webcast.
In addition to having the nearly unanimous support of the Branson business community, S.E.E. has also been endorsed by several non-profit deaf and hard of hearing organizations, including The Deaf Welcome Foundation, who is, in cooperation with S.E.E., opening Branson's first official Deaf Welcome Center. Grand opening for that is near the end of January, 2008.
An awesome day trip to Branson's first official "Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly" establishments is planned for January 18th and 19th, including some shows, tours, and meals. If you're anywhere in the vicinity, show your support for these efforts by attending!
Spread the good news! In another year or two, Branson could very well be setting the standard for cities all across the country. Oh, and just so you know, Las Vegas is next on S.E.E.'s radar!
Doug out :0)
Okay i've been holding off on sharing this information for a little while now until things really began to materialize, but the time is now right to let the world know about S.E.E. ... Signed Entertainment Enterprises.
The organization was started by my brother Randy Boude in an effort to rally the entire city of Branson, Missouri together to make themselves extremely accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Since Branson boasts more shows than even Las Vegas, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the midwest and has up to this point, been at best (and like nearly every other city in America) minimally ADA compliant. Well, S.E.E. is changing all that, and thanks to the evangelizing of Randy Boude, two hotels and one theater have already become "S.E.E. Certified". They have invested in TTYs and Face to Face communication devices, trained their staff in basic ASL and deaf culture, and have made numerous other changes to further enhance the quality of the services and entertainment rendered to their deaf and hard of hearing patrons. Many other shows, restaurants, theaters, and even the city government are already on board and submitting to S.E.E.'s audits to ensure their own "Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendliness". Here's a link to my brother being interviewed via webcast.
In addition to having the nearly unanimous support of the Branson business community, S.E.E. has also been endorsed by several non-profit deaf and hard of hearing organizations, including The Deaf Welcome Foundation, who is, in cooperation with S.E.E., opening Branson's first official Deaf Welcome Center. Grand opening for that is near the end of January, 2008.
An awesome day trip to Branson's first official "Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly" establishments is planned for January 18th and 19th, including some shows, tours, and meals. If you're anywhere in the vicinity, show your support for these efforts by attending!
Spread the good news! In another year or two, Branson could very well be setting the standard for cities all across the country. Oh, and just so you know, Las Vegas is next on S.E.E.'s radar!
Doug out :0)
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Re: Branson, Missouri to Become Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly
That's awesome. My grandparents have lived in Branson almost 40 years and I virtually grew up there. Nice to see they are finally adapting.
-J.J.
-J.J.
Posted by jeremiahx on January 12, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Re: Branson, Missouri to Become Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly
OK, first off, who the hell knew that Branson Missouri, was a live entertainment mecca in the US??? What the heck is in Branson, or even in Missouri for that matter? That's mind blowing to me.
Anyway, I think this is a great idea. I'm curios to how S.E.E will make it so that "you don't even need to have an interpreter". Is this a technological advancement or an effort to create more interpreters?
Anyway, I think this is a great idea. I'm curios to how S.E.E will make it so that "you don't even need to have an interpreter". Is this a technological advancement or an effort to create more interpreters?
Posted by Chris Rockett on January 18, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Re: Branson, Missouri to Become Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly
I think it is great that you are getting ALS interpreters, but you are mistaken if you think this is a help to hard of hearing people. For every person who signs, there are 10 who do not and will get little out of the performance with or without interpreters.
For the rest of us, if you really want to be hard-of-hearing friendly, you need to provide real-time captioning, or CART. This needs to be real-time, not just pre-captioned songs, as most of the fun of a show is the comments from the performers.
Also, each theater should have assistive listening systems available for everyone who wants them. Given the average age of your audiences, this will be a considerable number. They need to be advertised and audiences need to be educated as to what they are and how to use them.
Please make your shows friendly for me, too, or please stop advertising that they are for "hard of hearing," as they are not currently designed to provide us what we need.
For the rest of us, if you really want to be hard-of-hearing friendly, you need to provide real-time captioning, or CART. This needs to be real-time, not just pre-captioned songs, as most of the fun of a show is the comments from the performers.
Also, each theater should have assistive listening systems available for everyone who wants them. Given the average age of your audiences, this will be a considerable number. They need to be advertised and audiences need to be educated as to what they are and how to use them.
Please make your shows friendly for me, too, or please stop advertising that they are for "hard of hearing," as they are not currently designed to provide us what we need.
Posted by Sharon on February 1, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Re: Branson, Missouri to Become Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly
Sharon,
The fact of the matter is that making the theater friendly for hard of hearing patrons DOES include assisted listening systems. I'm not sure if they incorporated CART or not, but I know that the emphasis isn't solely on the deaf. I was merely sharing the tip of the iceburg about what's going on in Branson. For more details on exactly what is being done, visit the S.E.E. website and use the contact form. I am positive that they would love to have your input and critique, as their goal is to make it truly accessible for all.
Doug :0)
The fact of the matter is that making the theater friendly for hard of hearing patrons DOES include assisted listening systems. I'm not sure if they incorporated CART or not, but I know that the emphasis isn't solely on the deaf. I was merely sharing the tip of the iceburg about what's going on in Branson. For more details on exactly what is being done, visit the S.E.E. website and use the contact form. I am positive that they would love to have your input and critique, as their goal is to make it truly accessible for all.
Doug :0)
Posted by dougboude on February 2, 2008 at 12:34 AM