Traveling the World: Through the DB Lens Christopher Woodfill
Webinar Overview • This webinar will share insights from a very experienced world traveler who is DeafBlind. Specific strategies regarding communication and mobility supports will be shared as well as challenges that were faced while traveling abroad.
Webinar Objectives • Identify the factors that make for a successful traveling experience for DeafBlind individuals and interpreters/SSPs accompanying them. • Demonstrate knowledge of the potential barriers to communication throughout travel. • Recognize the role and expectations of an interpreter/Support Service Provider while accompanying a DeafBlind traveler.
Outline • • • • • • •
Presenter Background Presenter Travels Evolution of Strategies Communication Strategies Orientation & Mobility Strategies Interpreter/SSP roles Factors for Successful Travel
Presenter Background • • • • • •
Loves to travel. Has a rule to travel to a new place that he has never been to at least once a year. Considers himself a spiritual person. Traveling if done right can be a spiritual, peaceful, enriching and meditative experience. Lives on Long Island, New York and was originally from Wisconsin. Works as the associate executive director of Helen Keller National Center. Has worked at the agency for almost five years. Has been actively involved in both Deaf and DeafBlind communities in voluntary capacities for many years. Has given numerous presentations on different topics to diverse audiences over the years.
Presenter Travels • •
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Traveled all his life. Parents instilled the value of life experience. Been to 38 states. Have not visited Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Alaska. Intend to complete visiting all of these states within the next few years. Been to 29 countries/territories on four continents: Canada, Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, Jamaica, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Dubai, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Greece and France. Plans to travel to Spain this year and next year. Hoping to visit Fez, Morocco next year while visiting Spain. Australia and New Zealand are on the agenda for 2019. Safari in Africa, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, India, China, Ireland and United Kingdom are on the bucket list.
Evolution of Strategies • Chris has Usher Syndrome which means his strategies evolved as his journey with Usher Syndrome progressed throughout his life. • More strategies became necessary as Chris progressed in his journey with Usher Syndrome. • Strategies now involve including SSPs and interpreters to support Chris’ travels. • Travels require more planning and negotiation than in the past.
Communication Strategies • Variety of communication strategies is required for successful trip. Chris employs several. – Visual and Tactile ASL – Restricted field signing – Tracking – Pro-Tactile and Haptics • Communication strategies have to be negotiated beforehand between the DeafBlind person and the persons traveling with for the communication to become a success during the trip.
Orientation & Mobility Strategies •
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Like with communication, variety of orientation & mobility strategies is required for successful trip. Chris employs several. – Human guide – Walking stick (not cane) – Cane – Scanning – Binocular/monocular – Studying map of the location beforehand – View the pictures of the location beforehand to identify landmarks – Pro-Tactile and Haptics Orientation & mobility strategies have to be negotiated beforehand between the DeafBlind person and the persons traveling with.
Interpreter/SSP roles •
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The roles of interpreters/SSPs depend on the needs and purposes of the trip. Chris has had several business trips on behalf of World Federation of the DeafBlind. Interpreters are required for these trip. However, interpreters become SSP during the “fun” portion of the trip. The roles and expectations have to be negotiated beforehand to prevent any misunderstandings, miscommunications and failures during the trip. The roles and expectations have to be negotiated before each trip since the circumstances of each trip are different. Sometimes, renegotiations need to occur during the trip due to unexpected or changing circumstances to ensure the satisfaction of both parties, interpreters/ssps and the DeafBlind individual. Financial considerations must be discussed and agreed upon beforehand. Each trip may require different financial arrangements depending on the circumstances of the trip. It is a given that interpreters/SSPs must be “compensated” one way or the other.
Factors for Successful Travel • Clear planning in terms of purposes and objectives of the trip • Clear and agreed upon expectations and roles • Clear and agreed upon financial considerations • Utilization of multiple communication strategies • Utilization of multiple orientation & mobility strategies • Successful and comfortable dynamic between the individuals traveling together
Q&A