Top 5 holiday destinations for people who are deaf & hard of hearing

People who are deaf and hard of hearing face many challenges while going on a holiday. It’s good to make sure your vacation is as accessible as possible when you plan so you are not stressed out or feel limited in any way.

Here are some holiday ideas for deaf and hard of hearing people based on feedback.

• Cruises – Cruises are a fantastic holiday option for those with hearing loss as you can visit a variety of places without having to pack and repack your luggage. Cruise ships offer a range of services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing like assistive listening devices, closed-captioned telephones, sign language interpreters, and visual-tactile alert systems. Assistive listening systems are also found in theatres on many ships.
• Cairns – This is a popular holiday destination in Australia. There are a number of hotels that cater to the needs of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. A travel agent will help you find the right hotel and organize a plan.
• France – France is very advanced when it comes to catering to the needs of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. There are many tours run by those in the hearing-impaired community. Visitors can visit popular sites using communication methods they feel comfortable with.
• Disney World Resort, Florida – Disney World in the United States is well-known for its customer service for people with hearing needs. These include assistive listening, handheld captioning, sign language interpretation, text typewriter telephones, and written aids. Every guest room in the resort has door knocks and phone alerts, phone amplifiers, and visual-tactile alert systems.
• New York City, United States – This is a popular destination for people with hearing loss as it has a large, hospitable community of deaf and hard of hearing people. Your travel agent can help book you into a hearing-friendly accommodation and find you an appropriate tour.

“Deaf people have a lot of potential and talent and we only need equal opportunity in education, employment and mainstream. Governments make laws and schemes for us but their benefits do not reach us because of ineffective implementation.” Rajesh Kulkarni, President, OKVS

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