These are wonderful answers, thank you. I will share them with my friends. I'm interested to see more responses, if anyone has anything else to add. Thank you all!
On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 9:59 AM Jerome Grisanti <[email protected]> wrote: > It strikes me that demonstrations might go a long way, and also that if > fellow dancers who spoke ASL were on the floor dancing, rather than > standing on stage, they'd be better placed to facilitate this. Also, this > is an opportunity for the whole community to learn how to help *** by doing > what the person requests rather than what the community thinks might be > helpful. *** > > I wrote to a friend who teaches teachers of ASL at a university level, and > here is her full response: > > " First, I think the caller should have a conversation with the deaf > participant to get their perspective on what might help them be more > successful. > > There are a couple other interpreters I know who also know Contra dancing. > My concern is an unfamiliar interpreter would rely on watching a > demonstration before interpreting accurately. > I think showing or having a copy of the dance cards could be helpful. > As well as teaching the caller a different approach. Deaf individuals EYES > are their ears. Even if they have some residual hearing, taking in auditory > directions with little visual cues is not going to help. > A slower waltz is likely to be learned easier than a faster more complex > jig or reel. > If I were calling and had a deaf participant, I’d take the following > steps: > 1) Talk with the participant well before the dance; come up with ideas for > signs or gestures for calls, other ideas for accommodations > 2) ensure quality speakers on both ends of the line > 3) Have an extra copy of the calling card > 4) before the dance send/post the dance list with YouTube links to the > participants > 5) When introducing and doing the walk thru make sure > a)the participant is with a slightly more experienced partner who also is > good with at least gesturing/miming attempting to support their partner > b) the band is silent during the first two or three walk thrus > c) first walk thru have an experienced couple(s) demonstrate slowly; > second and maybe third walk thru all join in; next have band play a bit of > the tune at tempo, 5th time we dance and have the band. > > 6) if possible adjust the audio inputs such that the band is turned down a > little and the caller’s mic is up a little." > > She adds: > > "A word of caution, do not physically move any body part of the deaf > participant without their permission to do so. Proper attention getting > procedures include tapping their shoulder, raising a hand on the air with a > wave, and a floor stomp might work if the band’s not playing and the caller > is on the same floor as the dancers." > > > > > > Jerome Grisanti > 660-528-0858 > http://www.jeromegrisanti.com > > "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and > power and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > > > On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 8:43 AM Allison Jonjak via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> I've been part of dance communities where blind dancers are easily >> accommodated (with claps during heys etc). Deafness seems like it will take >> extra brainstorming to make useful accommodation. (Not only because some >> deaf people lip read preferentially over sign language.) >> >> Is it possible to let a deaf dancer take a look at the caller's card >> before a dance is taught, to help orient a bit? >> >> Pardon brevity; sent by smartphone. >> >> >> On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 7:22 AM Mary Collins via Contra Callers < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> We have not encountered this but I have friends who sign, having been >>> teachers who worked with the deaf. Both dancers. I am going to talk with >>> them about how this could work. >>> >>> I think signing during the dance would be problematic as the dancer >>> would need to see the signer and that would take their attention away from >>> the dance floor. >>> >>> The caller surely would find it difficult as well. I used to sign well >>> but lost some over the years; once had a group of deaf tourists ride in my >>> tour carriage, even signing, holding reins and being aware of traffic, >>> tour sites and passengers was hugely difficult. >>> >>> Having a trained -for- dance interpreter might just work for the walk >>> through and occasional prompting. >>> >>> Definitely looking into this. >>> >>> Mary Collins >>> Near Buffalo NY >>> >>> On Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 7:40 AM Allison and Hunt Smith via Contra Callers < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> I recently had a conversation with a dear friend in NH, a long-time >>>> contra dancer, who has an adult daughter who is deaf (who lives in SF, CA >>>> if that helps). Daughter doesn't dance, because she can't hear the calls >>>> and gets confused on the dance floor. She wishes that, during >>>> walk-throughs, the calls could be signed as well as spoken. I'm writing to >>>> ask if any of you have encountered this request? AFAIK there are no deaf >>>> dancers in my community in the Maine highlands, but I'd be willing to learn >>>> some basic signs to go along with my teaching. I think it would be >>>> challenging to sign as I call once the dance gets started, though. >>>> Thoughts? >>>> >>>> Allison Aldrich Smith >>>> >>>> -- >>>> www.huntandallison.net >>>> >>>> [email protected] >>>> >>>> www.centralhallcommons.org >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>> [email protected] >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> [email protected] >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to >> [email protected] >> > -- www.huntandallison.net [email protected] www.centralhallcommons.org
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